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Advice for individual anglers
Our guidelines for anglers on how to resume fishing safely during the COVID-19 health pandemic. These guidelines are designed to help you make angling compliant with current Covid-19 regulations.
Last updated: 25 June 2020
Revised guidelines
For Freshwater Anglers
GETTING TO YOUR FISHING VENUE
You should travel to fishing venues on your own or with members of your household – abide by current guidelines on social distancing whilst fishing.
MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING
Maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from other people (unless members of your household) in line with government guidance.
FOLLOW TRAVEL GUIDELINES
Only travel based on what is allowed under current Government guidelines.
MATCH FISHING
The Head of Sports Participation at DCMS agreed that the new Angling Trust best practice guidelines were ‘sensible’ and could now be issued as the basis for a safe resumption of match fishing in England from May 25th.
WHO YOU CAN FISH WITH
You can fish with members of your household or up to 5 other people outside your household – stick to social distancing guidelines at all times.
PEG SPACING
For match fishing, we favour leaving peg spacing to the common sense of match organisers. A 15 metre space would be preferable for pleasure fishing and it is the standard on our river matches but we recognise there are venues where this is impractical.
SHARING OF FISHING TACKLE
Sharing equipment is permitted although should be kept to a minimum. If equipment is shared to take someone fishing, you should practice strict hand hygiene, cleaning your hands thoroughly before and after use. Equipment should be cleaned thoroughly in line with wider guidance on hygiene.
TACKLE SHOPS
Since June 15th, tackle shops have been allowed to open subject to retail safety guidance. Tackle shops are also able to carry on trading by remote ordering (online, phone text or post).
IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
Do not leave home if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and follow Government advice on self-isolation.
CHECK BEFORE TRAVELLING
Many clubs & fisheries are using booking systems. Check you are permitted to fish before travelling. Fishing without permission is illegal.
PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
Use hand sanitiser before and after touching locks, gates etc. Disposable gloves and use of face masks where appropriate are recommended.
READ CLUB / FISHERY NOTICES
Pay careful attention to club & fishery notices – if you are unsure speak to a venue for guidance.
USE OF KEEPNETS
Following the return of match fishing to the new COVID compliant best practice guidelines the Angling Trust has revised the overall guidance in respect of no longer discouraging the use of keepnets.
NIGHT FISHING
Fishing at night in England is currently allowed. Please note that under current Coronavirus regulations camping is a prohibited activity and whilst night fishing is permissible within the guidelines angling should not be used as a pretext for a camping trip. When fishing is finished any night shelters must be removed and people should return home.
KAYAK & BOAT FISHING
Following government approval for water sports to resume, we can clarify that this includes solo boat and kayak fishing, and shared boat fishing on both sea and freshwater with household members or up to 5 other people where social distancing can be maintained.
SHARING OF FISHING POSITIONS
No sharing of fishing positions / pegs except by members of the same household.
FISHING LICENCE
All freshwater anglers must be in possession of the relevant Environment Agency Rod Fishing Licence.
CLOSE SEASON
Please remember that the coarse fishing close season for rivers and some stillwaters remains in place until June 16th.
Download these guidelines
Freshwater Anglers
Revised Guidelines
For Saltwater Anglers
GETTING TO YOUR FISHING VENUE
You should travel to fishing venues on your own or with members of your household – abide by current guidelines on social distancing whilst fishing.
MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING
Maintain a distance of at least 2 metres from other people (unless members of your household) in line with government guidance.
FOLLOW TRAVEL GUIDELINES
Only travel based on what is allowed under current Government guidelines.
PERMITTED FISHING
Fishing from beach and shore is ok, along with small scale private boat fishing – provided you adhere to social distancing guidelines. Night fishing in England is currently permissible.
PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
Use hand sanitiser before and after touching locks, gates etc. Disposable gloves and use of face masks where appropriate are recommended.
READ HARBOUR / COUNCIL NOTICES
Pay careful attention to harbour and local council notices – if unsure seek guidance.
WHO YOU CAN FISH WITH
You can fish with members of your household or up to 5 other people outside your household – stick to social distancing guidelines at all times.
COMPETITION FISHING
The Head of Sports Participation at DCMS agreed that the new Angling Trust best practice guidelines were ‘sensible’ and could now be issued as the basis for a safe resumption of match fishing in England from May 25th.
KAYAK AND BOAT FISHING
Following government approval for water sports to resume, we can clarify that this includes solo boat and kayak fishing, and shared boat fishing with members of your household or up to 5 other people where social distancing can be maintained.
SHARING OF FISHING TACKLE
Sharing equipment is permitted although should be kept to a minimum. If equipment is shared to take someone fishing, you should practice strict hand hygiene, cleaning your hands thoroughly before and after use. Equipment should be cleaned thoroughly in line with wider guidance on hygiene.
SHARING OF FISHING POSITIONS
No sharing of fishing positions / pegs except by members of the same household.
FISHING FROM PIERS AND BREAKWATERS
PEG SPACING
For shore match fishing, we favour leaving peg spacing to the common sense of match organisers but recommend a 15 metre space. A 15 metre space would be preferable for pleasure fishing.
NIGHT FISHING
Fishing at night in England is currently allowed. Please note that under current Coronavirus regulations camping is a prohibited activity and whilst night fishing is permissible within the guidelines angling should not be used as a pretext for a camping trip. When fishing is finished any night shelters must be removed and people should return home.
TACKLE SHOPS
Since June 15th, tackle shops have been allowed to open subject to retail safety guidance. Tackle shops are also able to carry on trading by remote ordering (online, phone text or post).
IF YOU HAVE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
Do not leave home if you have symptoms of Covid-19 and follow Government advice on self-isolation.
Download these guidelines
Saltwater Anglers
Further support
North Region
Daniel Williams
07854 240 368
daniel.williams@anglingtrust.net
Darren Birch
07791 164 921
darren.birch@anglingtrust.net
South Region
Dean Asplin
07854 239 731
dean.asplin@anglingtrust.net
Clive Copeland
07730 765 714
clive.copeland@anglingtrust.net
East Region
David Munt
07854 239 715
david.munt@anglingtrust.net
James Roche
07791 786 251
james.roche@anglingtrust.net
West Region
Dave Evans
07854 239 721
dave.evans@anglingtrust.net
Richard Hadley
07720 974 811
richard.hadley@anglingtrust.net
Regional Enforcement Managers
Our latest updates
Following further relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions in Wales, we've issued further FAQs regarding travel to and from the country.
Following representations by the Angling Trust, Angling Cymru and others, overnight fishing in Wales clarification has finally emerged giving the green light to night fishing.
The Angling Trust worked with leading anglers and fisheries in the match angling community to deliver new guidelines to bring competition fishing in line with COVID-19 procedures. These have now received Government agreement to allow match fishing to resume.
Following the government's decision to allow competitive angling to resume, the Angling Trust has drawn up new guidelines to bring sea angling competitions in line with Covid-19 procedures.
Fishing to start again from 13 May 2020 - find out more and read our guidance for anglers, clubs, fisheries, coaches & guides.
Clubmate to help angling clubs deal with member renewals during COVID-19 outbreak.
In this Lines On The Water blog, Paul Coulson from the Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) offers some important advice for fisheries.
We've issued new FAQs following further easing of Covid-19 restrictions with effect from 4th July.
We've been working with leading fly fishing anglers and fisheries in the game competition community to draw up new guidelines to bring game competition fishing in line with COVID-19 procedures. These have now received Government agreement to allow match game fishing to resume.
Following further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the Angling Trust and the Professional Boatman's Association have produced best practice guidelines for the safe resumption of Charter Boat fishing.
Sport England Community Emergency Fund to provide financial support for community sport organisations including angling clubs.
The Federation of Small Businesses has a great resource hub for small business owners and the self-employed.
Following the government's decision to allow competitive angling to resume, the Angling Trust has drawn up new guidelines to bring lure angling competitions in line with Covid-19 procedures.
Night Fishing: National guidance for anglers, angling clubs and fisheries issued by the Angling Trust on 14th May, 2020.
Our FAQs for clubs, fisheries and other angling organisations have been updated and now includes a downloadable Accreditation Form for club bailiffs and volunteers.
More information about the Self Employment Income Support scheme and how to make a claim.