Fishing in lockdown 3: Can I still fish in rivers and sea, how many people can I meet with and do you need a licence?
THANK ROD - the new lockdown 3 restrictions have not got anglers hook, line and sinker.
Already one of the UK’s biggest participation sports, fishing enjoyed a huge boom over the course of 2020.
Some old, some new, there were many who opted to cast away the doom of lockdown and Government restrictions to get out on the banks or waters.
But after the country was placed into Lockdown again, fishermen and women have been left wondering whether they were still able to get their tight lines.
Well it’s good news - and here’s why:
Can I still go fishing in lockdown?
Yes. It is an offence to leave home without a ‘reasonable excuse’ but of the 16 categories set out by the new rules is the provision for ‘Exercise and Recreation’.
More specifically, ‘outdoor recreation’ in parks, countryside and outdoor public spaces with one other person, not in your household or support bubble, is also allowed.
Angling falls under this provision due to it being a permissible activity and a ‘reasonable excuse’ to be outside of your house.
No time limits have been placed on how long you can fish for but you should return home at the end of your trip.
Can I travel elsewhere to go fishing if I’m in lockdown?
The Government’s guidance, rather than regulation, states you cannot travel into other areas unless it is essential.
Therefore anglers can continue to fish safely but only legally and locally within your area.
How many people can I fish with and are competitions still on?
The Government has banned nearly all grassroots sporting competitions.
That means that any form of competition, including meeting anyone not from your household, is prohibited.
What are the fishing rules for lockdown?
Here are the breakdown of the rule changes according to website:
“The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust.
“We have promoted the huge benefits of fishing on individual health and wellbeing and have been able to present a case to which the Government have listened.
“On this basis I am pleased to announce that fishing will be permitted during the third national lockdown in England.”
The DCMS Sports Team confirmed the following: “Fishing is allowed as exercise so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors.”
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA: “Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”
Key points from the Angling Trust’s guidelines:
- This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May.
- We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.
- The Government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.
- Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.
- The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
- To remain within the law you should follow the Government’s guidance, and only fish locally. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.
Do I need a licence to fish in a river during lockdown?
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 be fined up to £2,500 if you’re fishing in these areas and cannot show a valid rod fishing licence when asked.
You can purchase one online by .
You also need permission from the landowner to fish on private land and an additional licence to fish in locks or weirs on the River Thames.
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Do I need a licence to fish in the sea?
An individual does not require a licence to fish in the sea.
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However, all sea fish have a minimum landing size (in order to protect stocks) and several species are protected by law, meaning anglers must return any which are caught.
Any Anglers ignoring these rules could face prosecution if they are caught.