Rod Fishing 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

This includes if you are fishing on private land, such as angling club waters or private fishing lakes.

WARNING: 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.

Trout, Coarse Fish and Eel Licence

This lets you fish for non-migratory trout and all freshwater fish, including smelt and eel.

You can use your licence 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 other freshwater fish

You can also buy a 12-month licence that lets you use up to 3 rods for freshwater fish, excluding non-migratory trout.

Salmon and Sea Trout Licence

This lets you fish for salmon, sea trout, non-migratory trout and all freshwater fish, including smelt and eel.

You can use your licence 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 other freshwater fish

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

• You have a Blue Badge or meet the eligibility criteria for one
• You get the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• You get the enhanced rate mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• You get Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) or Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• You're registered blind

If you get PIP or DLA, you'll need to give your National Insurance number (or child reference number if you're under 16) when you apply.

Get Your Licence Online

You can buy a 1-day, 8-day or 12-month licence online for yourself or someone else.

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

What You'll Need

• A debit or credit card
• Your National Insurance number, if you get PIP or DLA 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

Important: You need permission from the land or fishery owner to fish in the area, as well as a rod fishing licence.

The permission you need is usually a fishing permit. For example, to fish in locks or weirs on the River Thames you need a lock and weir fishing permit.

You must follow national and local rod fishing byelaws when freshwater fishing with a rod and line in England and Wales.

There may be extra rules in some areas - check with the landowner.

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