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Follow national and local rules (byelaws) when freshwater fishing with a rod and line in England and Wales

• Overview

  You must follow national and local rules (byelaws) when freshwater fishing…

• When and where you can fish

  ‘Close seasons’ are seasons when you can’t fish for some types of fish on…

• Fish size and catch limits

  You’re only allowed to keep a certain amount of the fish you catch. These…

• Tackle you can use

  There are rules on how many rods you can use at a time, and the types of…

Get consent to introduce (site permit) or remove fish (excluding fish farms): application forms and rules.

• Updated: 13 April 2023

Apply for a licence to introduce, keep or farm non-native fish, lobsters and crayfish.

• Updated: 17 August 2023

Rod fishing byelaws are rules and regulations explaining who can fish, where, when and what fish you can take in England.

• Updated: 12 December 2023

How catch limits are set and how to get involved in setting them. This includes current catch limits and closed fishing areas.

• Updated: 23 July 2015

Guidance by the Fish Health Inspectorate and Environment Agency: run a fish or shellfish farm, move live fish or shellfish or hold non-native species.

• Updated: 28 March 2019

When fishery owners and suppliers of live fish must get a fish health check. How to arrange the check and how to report the results.

• Updated: 12 March 2025

Find out how to import live fish, molluscs and crustaceans for farming, ornamental, or any other purpose except direct human consumption

• Updated: 17 September 2024

How to export or move fish for human consumption from the UK.

• Updated: 19 August 2022

The prohibitions and restrictions on the import of animal furs and skins into the UK and the export of salmon and trout.

• Updated: 5 April 2018