Rod licence and close season: the rules in England and Wales

Before you set up a rod in England or Wales you need two things straight: a valid rod licence, and a clear idea of when and where you are allowed to fish. Both are simple once you know the basics, and both are enforced.

Who needs a rod licence

If you fish for freshwater fish, trout, salmon, smelt or eel with a rod and line in England or Wales, you need an Environment Agency rod licence. That applies on private club waters and day-ticket lakes too, not only on public rivers. A day ticket or club card gives you permission to fish a water; it does not replace the licence.

Children under 13 do not need a licence. Juniors aged 13 to 16 need one, but the junior licence is free. From 17 you pay the adult rate, with a cheaper 12-month concession for people aged 66 or over and for some disabled anglers, including Blue Badge holders and people receiving PIP or DLA.

Which licence and what it costs

There are two types. The trout, coarse fish and eel licence covers non-migratory trout and all freshwater fish; it is the one you need for carp and coarse fishing. The salmon and sea trout licence covers everything the first one does, plus salmon and sea trout.

You can buy a licence up to 30 days before you want it to start, and there are no concession prices for 1-day or 8-day licences. Salmon and sea trout licence holders must also send a catch return every year, even if they did not fish.

How many rods you can use

The standard trout and coarse licence lets you fish up to two rods for coarse fish. If you want to fish three rods, for example on a carp session, you need the 12-month three-rod version. For non-migratory trout in rivers, streams, drains and canals the limit is one rod.

Spod and marker rods do not count towards the limit unless they have a hook attached. Remember that the licence sets a maximum, not a right: many fisheries allow fewer rods, so read the rules of the water. Our guide to carp fishing for beginners covers typical fishery rules.

The coarse fish close season

You cannot fish for coarse fish on rivers, streams and drains in England and Wales from 15 March to 15 June. The Environment Agency explains that this is the peak spawning period, when disturbance can make fish abandon spawning and when eggs and fry are easily damaged.

Most canals and enclosed stillwaters stay open all year, which is why spring is a good time to learn on a pond, lake or canal. Try our guide to float fishing for beginners if you are starting out.

Where the close season still applies off the river

The exceptions catch people out. The Canal & River Trust says some canal sections close where they meet rivers, such as the eastern end of the Kennet & Avon Canal from Kintbury to Reading, and that sites with designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest may also be closed. Private waters can set their own close seasons.

Byelaws and local rules

National rules are only part of the picture. Local byelaws set out where fishing is not allowed, closed seasons for particular waters and species, the tackle you may use and the size of fish you can keep. Wales has its own regulations, published by Natural Resources Wales, so check them if you fish there.

During the river close season you may still be able to fish for trout and salmon, but bait and lure rules differ by region, so check before you go.

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