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Anglers reminded that the close season for coarse fishing comes into effect on 15 March and runs until 15 June inclusive.
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Annual close season prevents fishing for coarse fish in rivers and streams across England, helping to protect fish.
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Enforcement patrols stepped up to catch illegal anglers during the three-month period.
The annual close season prevents fishing for coarse fish in rivers and streams across England, helping to protect fish when they are spawning and supporting vulnerable stocks.
Throughout the close season, Environment Agency (EA) officers conduct patrols to ensure anglers respect the no fishing period. Notices have been displayed in key fishing areas across East Anglia reminding anglers of the law.
As part of Operation CLAMPDOWN, Angling Trust (AT) volunteers support the EA by keeping watch on riverbanks and reporting incidents to the 24-hour incident hotline 0800 80 70 60. Patrols will continue for the duration of the close season.
Dave Webb, Environment Agency Fisheries Team Leader, said:
“Between March and June, our coarse fish populations will soon begin spawning. The close season aims to protect fish during this delicate time to ensure they remain healthy and resilient.
“Each year we work closely with the Angling Trust and the Police to enforce the close season. We urge all anglers to follow the rules and allow rivers to recover as it is vitally important to help reduce disturbances to coarse fish and protect vulnerable stocks during their peak spawning period.”
The Environment Agency takes illegal fishing very seriously. Anyone fishing illegally should expect to be prosecuted and to face a substantial fine. Those who suspect illegal fishing should report it to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline 0800 80 70 60.
Fishing illegally could result in a significant fine with numerous enforcement patrols happening throughout the close season. Across England last year, for the period 15 March to 15 June inclusive, the Environment Agency carried out 933 close season patrols resulting in 106 close season offences and 203 other fishing related breaches.
Nino Brancato, Angling Trust Fisheries National Enforcement Support Manager, said:
“It is necessary that we all help protect our sport from harm, especially with matters relating to poaching, fish theft, theft of fishing rights, anti-social behaviour and fly tipping.
“At the Angling Trust, our aim is the ‘protection, promotion, and development’ of angling and anglers. Encouraging all anglers to fish legally and safeguard fisheries and fish for generations to come.”
The coarse fish close season applies to rivers, streams, drains and some canals, as well as certain still waters within specified ‘sites of special scientific interest’ (SSSI).
The canals and SSSI still waters covered by the statutory close season can be found on the national rod fishing byelaw guidance page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-rod-fishing-byelaws-for-england-freshwater-fishing-with-a-rod-and-line
Anglers who do still want to get out on the banks during close season can still visit many still waters and canals, depending on landowner agreement, or try their hand at trout fishing, though a valid fishing licence is still required.
We use income from coarse and trout licence sales to improve habitat and facilities for anglers. During 2024/25, the Environment Agency invested over £955,000 in 232 projects to improve fishing in local communities through the Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP): https://anglingtrust.net/funding/fisheries-improvement-programme/
Working closely with the Angling Trust we also use licence money to encourage more people to give fishing a go. They organise events throughout the year, with their Spring Into Fishing Campaign launching during the close season: https://anglingtrust.net/getfishing/springintofishing/
See examples where the Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP) initiative has benefitted anglers and the local environment in East Anglia, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/east-anglia-benefits-from-fisheries-improvement-fund
Media enquiries: 0800 917 9250
E-mail: Communications_East@environment-agency.gov.uk
Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter): @EnvAgencyAnglia
