Buy a fishing 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)
• the Border Esk region of Scotland

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

Get a rod licence

We do not issue rod licences. Go to GOV.UK to find all the information you need to help you buy a licence such as:

• licence types and rod limits
• licence costs   

You can also get an adult rod licence:

• by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 (find out about call charges) 
• at a Post Office

If you plan to visit Wales from overseas, you can buy a licence online on GOV.UK. Give the address you will be staying at and keep your confirmation email as proof that you have a licence.

Extend, replace or update your licence

Call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506:

• to replace a licence
• to change your licence 
• if you have not received your licence within 15 days of paying for it

To extend a 1 day or 8 day licence, call the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386.

Find out about call charges.

Angling byelaws (fishing rules)

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