Updated advice for fishing in England (March 2021)

The Angling Trust have published the following advice after the first stage of the easing of restrictions came into play on Monday 29th March 2021. For more information, you can visit the Angling Trust website here.

• As of Monday 29th March 2021, fishing will remain as a legitimate outdoor recreation or exercise for up to 6 people, or in a larger group is members from the same household are present. A 'household' can include the support bubble linked to that household if it is eligible.
• Outdoor recreational activities and exercise may take place at night so you may fish into or through the night. There are no limits on outdoor recreation however, you may not go on holiday to go fishing or use fishing as a pretext for a camping trip. Formal campsites and self-contained holiday accommodation cannot open until 12th April, as part of Step 2 of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.
• Angling clubs and fisheries should take steps to ensure that the gathering limits are adhered to and that social distancing is not compromised by the enthusiasm of anglers to resume fishing on 29th March.
• Match fishing (in freshwater and at sea) can go ahead as an organised outdoor sports gathering from 29th March. Organised outdoor sports will not be subject to the gatherings limits but must be compliant with guidance issued by national governing bodies to ensure appropriate steps, including risk assessments, are taken to make it Covid secure in line with the law. At this stage, these gatherings must only include participants – not spectators.
• Private boat fishing under the Rule of 6 and charter boats operating in accordance with Covid precautions should now both be allowed. However, where fishing takes place on a partially enclosed boat (for example, with a cabin or lounge area) with the exception of the skipper, those outside the household support bubble must not go indoors (except for access to/use of the toilet).
• The statutory stay at home restriction will be lifted but the guidance will encourage you to minimise travel outside of your local area. This means avoiding making unnecessary journeys, combining trips, and avoiding travel at peak times where possible. People should avoid travelling further than is reasonably necessary to take part in, or during, their activity.

Throughout, anglers must also ensure they are in possession of a valid fishing licence, adhere to fisheries bylaws, including the close season for coarse fishing on rivers, and have permission of the fishery owner.

More information and access to FAQs can be found here.