You must have a rod fishing licence for England and Wales if you’re fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line in: England (except the River Tweed)
Can you fish off a pier without a license in UK?
Despite anglers not needing a licence there are still restrictions on where anglers can fish from. All piers around the UK are private property and on many piers anglers need to purchase a ticket to fish from them and must observe opening hours and other restrictions – for example some ban overhead casting.
Can you fish in the sea without a license UK?
If you fish for sea fish without a licence and sell your catch, you may be prosecuted. You may have to pay a fine of up to £50,000 for each offence and forfeit your gear and fish.
How much is fishing licence 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 |
Can anyone fish in the UK?
You must have a rod licence to fish in England and Wales if you’re aged 13 or older.
What happens if you get caught fishing without a 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.
What happens if you fish without a license UK?
You can get a fine of up to £2,500 if you’re fishing in these areas and cannot show a valid rod fishing licence when asked. There are different rules for fishing in the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Children under 13 do not need a licence. Licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free.
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.
Can you fish in canals UK?
Reservoirs, lakes and ponds (‘enclosed stillwaters’) and canals. You can fish for coarse fish, eels, rainbow trout and brown trout on most enclosed stillwaters and canals all year.
Can you keep the fish you catch from the beach in the UK?
There are limits on the number, size and type of fish you can catch and keep. You must return fish you cannot keep to the water unharmed. You must also have permission from the fishery owner to fish and remove fish from angling club waters, private fisheries or waters on privately owned land.
How much is a fine for fishing without a license UK?
“Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500. “All anglers need a valid Environment Agency fishing licence. The money raised through the sales of fishing licences is re-invested and enables us to improve all fisheries, including rivers, for anglers.
How long does it take to get a fishing license UK?
Buying or renewing your rod fishing licence is an easy process and can be done in several ways. You can buy a 1-day, 8-day or 12-month licence online. You will simply need: A debit or credit card.
How many fish can I keep UK?
1 pike (up to 65cm) 2 grayling (30cm to 38cm) 15 small fish (up to 20cm) including barbel, chub, common bream, common carp, crucian carp, dace, perch, rudd, silver bream, roach, smelt and tench.
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. Unreported fishing: includes all landings and sales that do not get reported as either catches, landings, sales, or purchases.
Can you fish any river in the 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.
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 fishing fine in UK?
Level 1: £250 – labelling or marketing offences. Level 2: £500 – failure to use marker buoys; undersize fish (IFCA) Level 3: £1,000 – fishing in restricted areas; gear offences; catch offences; logbook offences. Level 4: £2,000 – illegal fishing in designated areas; use of false documents.
Can I fish anywhere with a license UK?
You’ll need a licence before you fish on any inland waters. This licence, however, does not give you permission to fish anywhere. You still need to get permission to fish from the owner of the fishing rights or the angling club that controls the fishing on that water.
Do you need a rod license to fish a private lake?
To fish in private waters you must buy: a rod licence and. a permit or day ticket.
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.
Where can I fish in the UK?
5 of the best fishing locations in the UK
- anglersparadise.co.uk. 1 of 5. Angler’s Paradise, Devon. Fish type: Exotic.
- visitnorfolk.co.uk. 2 of 5. Norfolk Broads, Norfolk.
- Visit Scotland|Kenny Lam. 3 of 5. River Spey, Scotland.
- Visit Wales. 4 of 5. River Wye, Wales.
- visithampshire.co.uk. 5 of 5. River Test, Hampshire.