Most fishing rules are straightforward, but there are some nuances that a novice fisherman can easily misinterpret, usually at his own financial expense. This section covers the basics of fishing in the UK that have nothing to do with fishing tackle.
Rod Licences explains who needs one and which one to buy. The basic idea is freshwater anglers over the age of 12 in England and Wales need a license from the Environment Agency and sea anglers need none.
Close Seasons covers the three month suspension of coarse fishing on rivers every spring and which lakes and canals are affected. It’s not as simple as “rivers shut, lakes open” and should be read prior to any spring fishing plans.
These rules are published in full by the Environment Agency for England and Natural Resources Wales for Wales. There are local byelaws for different regions, so if you are fishing a new location, make sure you read up on the byelaws for that region as well.
Guides for day tickets, syndicates and clubs, and handling and caring for fish are in progress.