Don’t forget to renew your rod licence before you go fishing – or instead of catching a whopper, you could end up with a whopping fine.

The Environment Agency is reminding anglers to renew rod licences as current licences expire on 31 March.

During 2005, almost £600,000 was paid in fines and costs by more than 4600 illegal anglers for fishing without a rod licence. On average, these illegal fishing trips cost anglers £128 each in fines and costs. A full season fishing licence costs just £24.

“Licences expire on 31 March, so if you¹re planning to fish over the coming season, now is the time to buy a new one,” Dafydd Evans, Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency, said.

“Anyone aged 12 years or over must have a valid Environment Agency rod licence if you fish for freshwater fish, trout, salmon or eels in England and Wales.

“If you haven’t renewed your licence already, please do it now before you start fishing – otherwise, those who fish without a licence face tough penalties including fines of up to £2,500 and a ban from fishing.

“The rod licence fees are essential to improving and maintaining our fisheries in England and Wales, which is why our enforcement officers are out there checking for those who try to cheat the system. Last year, we raised £19 million from rod licence fees.

“We’re selling more licences than ever before. One reason is that we’ve been making it easier to buy a licence. Our Direct Debit service is used by 80,000 anglers and has been further improved this year,” Dafydd Evans said.

The Environment Agency carries out routine patrols, as well as national blitzes, to catch people fishing without a licence.


Licences are available:
by Direct Debit on 08708 506 506
online (for Full, Junior, 8-day and 1-day licences only) at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence
from every Post Office in England and Wales, and
by telesales line on 08701 662 662, between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week.
Concessionary licences apply if:

• you are aged 12-16 (Junior)
• you are aged 65 or over
• you have a Blue Badge parking concession for the disabled.

Rod licences costs

Coarse and trout
2006/07
Full
£24.00
Concession
£12.00
Junior
£5.00
8 day
£8.50
1 day
£3.25
Salmon and sea trout
2006/07
Full
£65.00
Concession
£32.50
Junior
£32.50
8 day
£20.50
1 day
£6.75
Ends