Every spring, coarse fishing stops on rivers in England for three months. It is called the close season, and it runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
Why it exists
Spring is when most coarse fish spawn. The close season leaves them undisturbed while they breed.
Where it applies
- All rivers, streams and drains in England: no coarse fishing, and no eel fishing, during those dates.
- Some canals, especially those that are really canalised rivers.
- Most stillwaters that are Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and most waters in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads.
Where you can still fish
Most lakes, ponds and reservoirs, and most canals, have no close season, which is why spring is a busy time on commercial fisheries. A fishery can still set its own rules, and local byelaws vary from region to region.
How to check a water
Look at the Environment Agency's rod fishing byelaws for your region on gov.uk, and ask the club or fishery that controls the water. Wales has its own rules through Natural Resources Wales.
