Help us fight to protect fish and fishing for generations to come
Supporting our work to protect and grow the sport you love has never been more important. We have great member benefits, with discounts on fishing, tackle and everyday items, as well as a fantastic joining offer for new individual members.
Your money back to spend on tackle
We have great member benefits, with discounts on fishing, tackle
Landmark wins against polluters
Fish Legal has successfully fought everyone from rogue farmers to multinational corporations on behalf of its members while in many cases the government and statutory bodies have done little or nothing. We win pollution cases against companies large and small and allowing compensation to be put where it is most needed - to the angling clubs and fishery owners affected, so that they can restore their waters. We have only been able to do this thanks to the loyal support of our members.
Times we've taken the Government to court and changed policy
in compensation for our members impacted by pollution over the last 15 years
Legal cases taken on behalf of members
The number of times we have provided legal advice
Planning threats we have advised on
Combatting poaching, fish theft and other criminal activity
In partnership with the Environment
Volunteer Bailiffs recruited
Patrols coordinated since the VBS went live across England
Hours protecting fish and fisheries since the VBS went live across England
Getting more people fishing
We are committed to getting more people fishing more often, increasing the diversity of participants and raising the standards of safeguarding and coaching.
Working in collaboration with other partners including the Environment Agency,
You can see more of our work at www.GetFishing.org.uk.
Introduction events organised in the last two years
Coaches trained
Juniors and Adults introduced in the last two years
More competitive angling than ever in all three disciplines of our sport
We held over 400 events last year, which attracted in excess of 10,000 competition entries for competitions that included Fish ‘O’ Mania, RiverFest, nine major National Championships, AT Winter League, AT/CRT Canal Pairs, British Pike Championships, AT/CRT Boddington Classic and TideFest. We also supported our International England teams representing both the Trust and their sponsors and have developed a Youth Talent Pathway to offer more elite angling teams than ever before.
Events held each year
Entries last year
National teams supported
Representation for sea anglers
We have got sea angling up the political agenda, lobbied the IFCAs to ban estuary and inshore netting and fought to restore anglers’ rights to take bass home to eat.
Progress on predation
Our successes to date include securing funding for fishery management advisors to advise and support fisheries on predation issues, as well as distributing over £480,000 provided by the Environment Agency for otter fencing and deterrents.
secured for otter fencing and deterrents
Fisheries given specialist support by our advisors on predation in the last 12 months
A louder voice for angling
A stronger voice for angling in Parliament
Better water quality and healthier fisheries
Thanks to determined action, the Angling Trust & Fish Legal have successfully fought damaging activities such as river dredging, hydropower schemes, over-abstraction and pollution.
Three-rod licence for specimen and carp anglers
Thanks to our direct campaigning for free junior rod licences and a three-rod licence for specimen and carp anglers. these changes, along with the fairer deal of a rolling 365-day licence, have been introduced.
Representation for sea anglers
We have got sea angling up the political agenda, lobbied the IFCAs to ban estuary and inshore netting and fought to restore anglers’ rights to take bass home to eat.
Action on invasive species
From Signal Crayfish to Floating Pennywort, we have supported initiatives such as the Check Clean Dry campaign to help stop the spread of invasive non-native species. We also campaign for the government to take further action to control and eradicate species threatening our waters.
Securing funds to help clubs and fisheries
From new fish stocks, to better facilities and disabled access, the Trust continues to secure vital support via the Angling Improvement Fund – approximately £2m from the Environment Agency in the last 4 years.
Our ambassadors
I feel privileged to be working with the Angling Trust who are at the forefront of improving fish welfare and campaigning for a better and healthier aquatic environment, as well as promoting the sport to newcomers. As an ambassador who is passionate about getting more people fishing and outdoors, my main focus will be working together to introduce more people to the sport and the great outdoors, as well as partnering up to offer free fishing days for charities.
I'm supporting the Angling Trust because it's the only interest group that can put forward a united and coherent message who stand any chance of making any impact.
As long as individual voices can be heard within an organisation, it helps to have a single focus and point of contact for our concerns. The Angling Trust deserves the support of all anglers.
Now, more than ever, anglers need to unify across our sport and take active responsibility for the fish we catch and the environment we love. Becoming a member of the Angling Trust is giving direct backing and support to an organisation of experts that are absolutely leading the way in protecting and fighting for all our best interests. Fishing has changed my life and my happiness can be measured by my proximity to our wild waters, the thought that generations of anglers may not experience the same privilege in the future is, frankly, horrifying.
I am pleased to join the list of Angling Trust Ambassadors and praise the breadth and depth of what this united body achieves for game, coarse and sea fishers in England and Wales. From challenging over-fishing at sea through to awareness of the danger posed by fish-eating birds, the Trust leads the way. Habitat degradation is flagged up, as is over-abstraction. On offer is morale-boosting strength of purpose alongside Fish Legal, which gives teeth in the law courts to fighting pollution and the other threats.
It’s already shown that the strength in unity has given the Angling Trust the ear of various department of the government. One voice speaking for all anglers has got to be the only way we will be heard and taken notice of.
Who are the Angling Trust & Fish Legal?
The Angling Trust, formed in 2009, is the unified representative organisation for all anglers in England and Wales. We are a non-profit organisation working for the benefit of fish and fishing.
We protect marine and freshwater fish stocks and recreational angling in all its forms on behalf of our membership by lobbying and campaigning, by promoting angling participation to all, and for the public good.
We are united in a collaborative relationship with Fish Legal, a membership association which provides expert legal advice and takes legal action to protect the water environment and fishing rights of its member clubs, riparian owners and fisheries and to seek compensation on their behalf for environmental damage. We are the only sporting representative body to have such a collaboration to protect anglers rights and interests.
Your membership not only gives you great value - it's vital for the future of fishing.
Your membership of the Angling Trust & Fish Legal is vital to the continued support of our work on behalf of all anglers.
By joining the Angling Trust you contribute with us to:
- Fight against Pollution, Predation and Poaching
- Get more fish in rivers, lakes and the sea
- Make sure rod licence money is spent on fishing
- Increase angling participation, coaching and education
- Fight against restricted angler access and anti-angling campaigns
- Support environmental campaigning for anglers and fishing
Our Partners
Contact us
Tel: 0343 507 7006 (For Membership enquiries select Option 1)
Our membership team
Monday – Friday 9.00am -5.00pm
Please leave a message if you call outside these hours or email us on admin@anglingtrust.net