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Regulations & seasons

Rules change. This page is a general guide only — verify with the Environment Agency and your venue before fishing. Last updated: 24 April 2026.

Rod licence (required)

Anyone aged 13 or over must hold an Environment Agency rod licence to fish any freshwater in England — including club and private waters. Fishing without one carries fines of up to £2,500.

1-day (trout/coarse, 2 rod)£7.30
8-day£14.70
12-month (2 rod)£36.80
12-month (3 rod)£55.30
Under 13Free
Age 13–16 (must register)Free
Over 66 / Blue Badge~⅓ off annual
gov.uk/fishing-licences ↗0344 800 5386
Close seasons (England)
Rivers & streams — coarse15 Mar – 15 Jun
Rivers & streams — brown trout1 Oct – 14 Mar
Stillwater trout & coarseOpen year-round
Salmon & sea troutVaries by water

Salmon & sea trout require a separate licence. Dates are EA byelaw — individual rivers may vary.

Environment Agency byelaws
—Live fish as bait is banned in England and Wales.
—Lead weights and shot between 0.06g and 28.35g (size 8 to 1oz) are prohibited — use non-toxic alternatives.
—Individual venues may impose additional restrictions — always check before fishing.
What you need to fish legally
1EA rod licence — required for all anglers 13+.
2Permission to fish the water — club membership, day ticket, or syndicate rod. The licence alone does not grant you access.
Further reading
Buy a rod licenceFull EA freshwater byelawsLake District fishing (third-party)