Buy a rod fishing licence

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1. When you need a licence

You must have a rod fishing licence for England and Wales if you’re fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line in:

  • England (except the River Tweed)
  • Wales
  • the Border Esk region, including the parts of the river that are in Scotland

You can get a fine of up to £2,500 if you’re fishing in these areas and cannot show a valid rod fishing licence when asked.

There are different rules for fishing in the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Children under 13 do not need a licence.

Licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free. You’ll still need to get a junior licence.

Other permissions and licences you may need

You also need:

You must follow national and local rules (byelaws) when freshwater fishing with a rod and line in England and Wales. There may be more rules on private land.

2. Types of licences and rod limits

Trout, coarse fish and eel licence

This lets you fish non-migratory trout and all freshwater fish.

You must use your licence in one of the following ways. You can choose to fish with:

  • 1 rod for non-migratory trout in rivers, streams, drains and canals
  • up to 2 rods for non-migratory trout in reservoirs, lakes and ponds
  • up to 2 rods for freshwater fish

You can also buy a 12-month licence that lets you use 3 rods for freshwater fish.

The place where you fish may have additional rules about how many rods you can use there.

Salmon and sea trout licence

This lets you fish salmon, sea trout, non-migratory trout and all freshwater fish.

You must use your licence in one of 3 ways. You can choose to fish with:

  • 1 rod for salmon, sea trout and non-migratory trout in rivers, streams and canals
  • up to 2 rods for salmon, sea trout and non-migratory trout in reservoirs, lakes and ponds
  • up to 3 rods for freshwater fish

You must report a catch return every year even if you did not fish.

The place where you fish may have additional rules about how many rods you can use there.

Rods that are not affected by licence limits

The following rods are not affected by licence limits unless they have hooks attached:

  • spod rods (used to propel bait into water)
  • marker rods (used to mark out lines)

3. Buy a rod fishing licence for England and Wales

You can buy a 1-day, 8-day or 12-month licence online.

You’ll need:

  • a debit or credit card
  • your Blue Badge or National Insurance number, if you have a disability and you’re applying for a 12-month licence
  • the other person’s details (such as date of birth), if you’re buying for someone else

Fees

You can buy a licence up to 30 days before you want it to start.

There are no discounted prices for a 1-day or an 8-day licence.

Licence type Trout and coarse up to 2-rod Trout and coarse 3-rod Salmon and sea trout
1-day £7.10 Not available £13.20
8-day £14.30 Not available £29.70
12-month £35.80 £53.70 £90.40
12-month - (66 or over or disabled) £23.80 £35.80 £60.20
12-month - junior (13 to 16 years old) Free Free Free

You need different permissions or licences to fish in most of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Buy now

This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Eligibility for disabled licences

You can get a 12-month disabled licence if one of the following applies:

  • you have a Blue Badge
  • you get Personal Independence Payment (any rate)
  • you get Disability Living Allowance

Give your Blue Badge or National Insurance number (or child reference number if you’re under 16) when you apply.

Other ways to buy a licence

You can also buy a licence by calling the Environment Agency.

Licence sales and extensions
Telephone: 0344 800 5386
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays)
Find out about call charges

Get a junior licence

You can apply online for a junior licence or call the Environment Agency.

Licence sales and extensions
Telephone: 0344 800 5386
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays)
Find out about call charges

If you have not received your 12-month licence

Contact the Environment Agency if you do not get your licence within 15 working days.

Environment Agency
enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

Extend a licence

To change a 1-day or 8-day licence to a 12-month licence, call the Environment Agency within 14 days of buying it. You’ll need to buy a new licence but you’ll get a refund for the first one you bought.

Licence sales and extensions
Telephone: 0344 800 5386
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays)
Find out about call charges

Replace a licence or update your details

Contact the Environment Agency:

  • if you have questions about your licence
  • to replace a licence
  • to update your details if you’ve changed your name or address

Environment Agency
enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

4. Fishing in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Fishing in Scotland

You do not need a licence to fish with rod and line anywhere in Scotland apart from in the Border Esk region.

You only need permission from the landowner or an angling club.

As the Border Esk flows into England you need to buy a rod fishing licence for England and Wales to fish any part of it. This includes the parts of the river and its tributaries that are in Scotland.

Fishing in Northern Ireland

You must have a rod licence and angling permit from a Northern Irish agency to fish in Northern Ireland.