UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You have rejected additional cookies. This includes if you are fishing on private land, such as angling club waters or private fishing lakes.
There are different rules for fishing in the rest of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free. You need permission from the land or fishery owner to fish in the area, as well as a rod fishing licence.
For example, to fish in locks or weirs on the River Thames you need a lock and weir fishing permit. You must follow national and local rules byelaws when freshwater fishing with a rod and line in England and Wales.
There may be extra rules in some areas - check with the landowner. To help us improve GOV. Please fill in this survey opens in a new tab. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Home Environment and countryside Fishing and hunting. Buy a rod fishing licence. When you need a licence. Next : Types of licences and rod limits. View a printable version of the whole guide. Related content Freshwater rod fishing rules.
