Buy a fishing rod licence

When do I need a rod licence?

You need a valid rod licence if you are aged 13 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in Wales, England (except the river Tweed) and the Border Esk region of Scotland.

• Junior licences (age 13-16) are now FREE but you must register
• Senior (aged 65 or older) and disabled concessions are available (see below)

You can get a disabled licence if you’ve got a Blue Badge, or you get Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.

You must always carry your rod licence when you’re fishing or you could be prosecuted and fined up to £2,500.

How can I buy a rod licence?

• You can buy your rod licence online www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence 
• At your local Post Office
• Over the phone - call the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 (find out about call charges)

We are aware that some websites are offering to buy or check licence applications on your behalf. Getting your licence direct from GOV.UK is cheaper, quicker and a lot simpler. Take extra care when using a search engine that you don’t stray onto other sales sites.

Lines open:

1 March to 30 June, Any day (including bank holidays), 8am to 8pm  1 July to 28 February, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (not open on bank holidays).

Rod licence prices and products (1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021)

Overseas customers

You can buy a licence online before your visit to Wales. You must keep your confirmation email and take it with you when you go fishing. Otherwise you will need to buy a licence on arrival in Wales. The licence should state the address at which you are staying during your visit.

Income raised in Wales from rod licence sales (c. £1 million in 2019) helps fund the Fisheries service we provide to anglers in Wales.

Angling byelaws (fishing rules)

When freshwater fishing you must follow the angling byelaws (rules).