Freshwater fish include salmon, trout, coarse fish and eels. You must have a rod licence to fish in England and Wales if you’re aged 13 or older.
Can you fish in any river UK?
You are allowed to fish for coarse fish, eel, rainbow trout and brown trout on most enclosed stillwaters and canals all year. Note: Read the local byelaws to check your area. You cannot fish for coarse fish and eels on rivers from 15 March to 15 June, but you can fish for eels in some areas.
Is it free to fish rivers in the UK?
In the strict legal sense, the public only has a right to fish for free in the officially recognised fully tidal parts of rivers and in the sea, except where an individual owns a private right of fishery.
When can you fish in UK rivers?
On rivers, the traditional close season for coarse fishing runs from 15 March through to 15 June.
Can you fish anywhere in UK?
Where to fish in the UK. Put simply, there are three ways to go fishing in the UK. You can fish on public waters, go to privately owned waters, or fish on the sea – and needing a licence depends on what you fish and where.
What is illegal fishing in UK?
Illegal fishing: is the targeting, catching, retaining on board, landing, sale or possession of fish which contravenes international, EU, UK or local fisheries law.
What are the laws on fishing in the UK?
If you are aged 13 or over, you must have a rod fishing licence when fishing anywhere in England for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt and eels. This applies to all waters including commercial, privately owned or club fisheries. Fishing without a rod fishing licence is illegal and you can be fined up to £2,500.
How much is a river fishing licence in the UK?
Buy a rod fishing licence for England and Wales
| Licence type | Trout and coarse up to 2-rod | Salmon and sea trout |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day | £6 | £12 |
| 8-day | £12 | £27 |
| 12-month | £30 | £82 |
| 12-month – over 65 or disabled | £20 | £54 |
Are all rivers public UK?
British Canoeing believes, based on a wealth of historical evidence, that there is, under common law, a public right of navigation on all rivers which are physically capable of being navigated.
Are rivers Public UK?
It is settled law that there is no general public right of navigation on non-tidal rivers in England and Wales. Where navigation is allowed this is through Acts of Parliament (and other instruments) that are specific to a river or section of a river, or other water body.
What happens if you get caught without a fishing license UK?
You must produce your licence if asked to do so by an Environment Agency Bailiff or by any other authorised person. You will be on the hook for a criminal record and/or net yourself a fine of up to £2,500 for fishing without a valid rod fishing licence.
When can you not fish UK?
‘Close seasons’ are seasons when you can’t fish for some types of fish on certain types of water. For example, you can’t fish for coarse fish on any river in England and Wales from 15 March to 15 June.
Can you take trout from UK rivers?
In England and Wales, you need a licence from the Environment Agency to fish for trout, and a full migratory licence if you are fishing for sea trout. Details on how to obtain a licence for England and Wales are here.
Can you fish rivers for free?
Fishing the River Thames in Greater London
Fishing on the River Thames is free all the way up to Staines and following improvements in water quality there are now plenty of fish.
Can I fish on the beach UK?
The vast majority of beaches around the UK offer safe fishing as long as anglers are aware of the tidal conditions of the beach prior to going fishing.
Is live bait allowed in the UK?
Bait and lures
You can use live bait (using small fish to catch bigger fish) providing you keep the bait fish at, and only use them in, the water you took them from. Please note, some local byelaws do not allow this.
Is night fishing legal UK?
Outdoor recreational activities and exercise may take place at night so you may fish into or through the night.
Is it illegal to walk with a fish suspiciously in the UK?
Section 23 of the Salmon Act 1986 makes it an offence to handle a fish while looking suspicious.
Why is it illegal to hold a salmon suspiciously in the UK?
Handling Salmon in Suspicious Circumstances
Essentially, this is a provision aimed at reducing salmon poaching by making the handling of poached salmon a criminal offence.
Can you take a knife fishing in the UK?
It is an arrestable offence to be in public with any knife on the banned list, and using them for fishing purposes is no excuse as the official UK government web page on buying and carrying weapons states that it is illegal to “carry, buy or sell any type of banned knife.”
Can I fish in a boat on a river UK?
Yes, but you need a boat licence and permission from the managing angling club or, if there is no club controlling the fishing rights, a Waterway Wanderers permit. Your boat must be moored to the bank to avoid obstructing the navigation.