If you are over 12 and want to fish, you must have a licence to use a rod and line to catch:
- salmon
- trout
- freshwater fish
- eels
You can buy a rod licence online and there is more information about licences on GOV.UK.
Buy a fishing rod licence on GOV.UK
Before going fishing
As well as a rod licence, you will also need to get a permit or day ticket from the local landowner or angling club that has fishing rights over the particular stretch of water you want to fish on.
The fishing info website has details of local angling clubs, as well as local fishing events.
You can also join the British Waterways Waterway Wanderers scheme for a small daily or annual fee, which allows you to fish on 45 miles of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, as well as 200 miles of other waterways in the North of England.