Two things let you fish a water in England and Wales: a rod fishing licence, and permission from whoever owns or controls the fishing. They are separate, and you usually need both.
The rod licence
Anyone aged 13 or over who fishes with a rod and line for freshwater fish, trout, salmon, sea trout, smelt or eel in England and Wales needs a rod fishing licence. That covers rivers, canals, lakes, ponds and reservoirs alike.
- Under 13: no licence needed.
- 13 to 16: a licence is still needed, but the junior licence is free. You still have to apply for it.
- Helping a child: if you take a child under 13 fishing and hold or help hold the rod, you need a licence yourself.
Licences are sold on gov.uk. Carry yours, or its number, whenever you fish: Environment Agency bailiffs check them on the bank.
Permission: the part people forget
The licence lets you use a rod. It does not let you fish anywhere you like. Lakes and ponds are usually run by a fishery or a club that sells day tickets or memberships. Rivers are split into stretches owned by estates, clubs and associations.
Canals
Many canals in England and Wales are cared for by the Canal & River Trust. You need your rod licence plus a permit for the stretch: either from the angling club that rents it, or from the Trust for the lengths it lets directly. The Trust's website lists who controls each length.
The sea
The rod licence is for fish in fresh water and for the migratory fish above. Fishing in the sea from the shore, a pier or a boat is different: there is no rod licence for it, but there are rules on the fish themselves, such as minimum sizes and limits on what you may keep, which change from year to year for some species. Check the current rules before you take a fish home.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
This guide is for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own systems, so check them before you go.
