Fishing Bylaws in England

This page is a summary only. Rod fishing byelaws are legally enforceable rules set by the Environment Agency. Always check the official sources linked below before you fish — byelaws change, and the official text is what applies. Breaking a byelaw can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £50,000, according to the national rod fishing byelaws.

Rod licence

Anyone aged 13 or over needs a valid rod fishing licence to fish for freshwater fish in England. Licences are free for 13 to 16 year olds; children under 13 don't need one. See when you need a licence and how to buy one on GOV.UK.

National rules

The freshwater rod fishing rules and national rod fishing byelaws apply everywhere in England. Key rules include:

• Close season — coarse fishing on rivers stops from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. Check the when and where you can fish rules for how this applies to the water you're on.
• Rod limits — no more than 1 rod and line at a time for salmon and trout on rivers, up to 2 on reservoirs and lakes, and up to 4 for coarse fish. See tackle you can use.
• Early-season salmon — before 16 June you must use an artificial fly or artificial lure when fishing for salmon.
• Catch limits — daily limits include a total of 15 small coarse fish (up to 20cm), 2 grayling between 30cm and 38cm, and 1 pike of not more than 65cm. See fish size and catch limits.

Regional byelaws

England is divided into 6 byelaw areas. On top of the national rules, the area your water sits in has its own byelaws — check the one that covers you:

• Anglia
• Midlands
• North East
• North West and the Border Esk (covers the Lake District, including Ullswater)
• South East
• South West

Fishery rules still apply

Byelaws are the legal minimum. The fishery or club that controls a water can set stricter rules of its own — check the rules and permission details on the water's page here, and with the fishery, before fishing.

Fishing elsewhere in Britain? See the bylaws for Scotland and Wales.