Update 7 January 2021: Local angling is permitted during the national lockdowns in both England and Wales, but is subject to restrictions. Below we’ve explained what this means for you, depending on where you live.
England is currently in a national lockdown and exercise is one of only a few reasons for which you are legally allowed to leave your home. The government have confirmed that angling is a permitted form of exercise. You can only exercise once a day and just for a short period.
You can fish alone, with members of your household or support bubble, or with one person from another household. Matches and overnight fishing are not permitted.
If you're meeting someone from another household, you should follow social distancing guidelines and stay 2 metres away from them at all times. The same applies to any members of the public that you come across during your fishing.
During the lockdown it's against the law to travel outside your local area for exercise. If you don't have anywhere local to fish, you must take your daily exercise in a different way. Use our fishery search to find a local place to fish.
You can read FAQs about angling during this current lockdown on the Angling Trust's website (bottom of page).
Wales is currently in a level 4 lockdown, which means that you can only fish as part of your essential exercise. You can do so alone, or with members of your household or support bubble.
You must not drive somewhere to fish, unless you have a health or mobility issue that prevents you from walking or cycling there. Use our fishery search to find a local place to fish.
Follow social distancing guidelines and stay at least 2 metres away from other members of the public. Matches are not permitted.
For the very latest information on fishing in Wales, we advise you to visit the Fishing in Wales website.
We are very lucky to be allowed to fish during lockdown, so it’s vital that anglers continue to behave responsibly by following government guidance and law.
If you decide to go fishing, please take sensible precautions, both for your own safety and the safety of other members of the public.
Please note that magnet fishing is never permitted on any of our waterways.
If you're going fishing, please follow these guidelines, in addition to the government guidance/laws explained at the top of this page, as well as normal club and fishery rules.
Our partners at the Angling Trust, with whom we work closely, have information and guidance for individuals and angling clubs on their website.
In Wales, more information and updates may be available from Angling Cymru.
Clubs are not obliged to reopen their fisheries if they feel that doing so would put people at unnecessary risk.
Please bear in mind that this guidance will change as the pandemic evolves and different government restrictions come into and out of force.
Last date edited: 11 January 2021