Angling is the sport of catching fish with a rod, reel, line, hooks and a wide range of baits or lures such as artificial flies.  It is one of the most popular sports today and attracts people of all ages.  Recreational fishing has conventions, regulations, licensing restrictions and laws that limit the way in which fish may be caught.  New anglers must become familiar with these.

Fishing originated as a means of providing food for survival. Throughout the history of fishing, various fishing disciplines have emerged that target specific fishing conditions and species of fish. These fishing variations have their own unique fishing equipment, know how, and technical skills that may be specific to the type of water in which an angler will be fishing or the kind of fish targeted.

Types of Angling

Coarse fishing is the most common type of angling.  It takes place in canals, rivers, ponds and reservoirs.  Coarse fish are any freshwater fish that are not members of the salmon family.

Game fishing is the pursuit of trout and salmon using artificial flies and ‘lures’ to attract the fish.  Trout fishing takes place on rivers and reservoirs and salmon fishing takes place on large rivers where the salmon swim upstream to spawn. 

Sea fishing involves fishing for saltwater fish around the coast, often from a pier or jetty, or from a boat.

Rod Licence

It is an offence to fish for freshwater fish without a valid licence.  This can result in a fine of up to £2,500.  Any angler aged 12 years or over must have a rod licence.

Permission to Fish

A rod licence does not give the automatic right to fish on any river, lake or canal.  Permission must be obtained from whoever owns or rents the fishing rights.  This is usually the adjacent landowner or an angling club.  Not all owners allow fishing on their waters and some restrict fishing to club or syndicate members only.  Where fishing is allowed, permits must be purchased and are usually available as day, week or season tickets.

Close Season

Coarse fish close season is from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.  This applies to all rivers, streams and drains but does not apply to most stillwaters.  Recent byelaw changes mean that the coarse fish close season does not apply to most canals.  Fishery owners and angling clubs are free to introduce a close season through their club or fishery regulations.  Check with individual clubs.

Fish Welfare

In angling, it is expected that fish will be returned to the water.  The welfare of the fish is paramount to the future of fishing and all fish that are caught must be returned to the water quickly and without injury.  Handling fish carefully and unhooking them are important skills.  Never pull on the line to remove a hook as this will seriously injure the fish.

All fish are covered with a protective layer of slime which acts as a defence against parasitic infections, bacteria and other diseases that a fish may contract.  To avoid removing this protective coating always wet your hands before handling the fish and never use a cloth to hold a fish.

Never throw a fish back into the water. Get close to the water to release the fish and let it swim away.  If it is a large fish such as Barbel, it may have tired itself out whilst being caught.  In this case, hold the fish in the water facing the current until it is ready to swim away.  Moving the fish backwards and forwards can aid its recovery.

Freshwater Fish

Common types of freshwater fish include:

Bream
Barbel 
Carp
Pike
Eels
Perch
Roach
Tench

Canals usually contain a variety of freshwater fish and are suitable for ‘mixed coarse fishing’. Roach and carp are common species, together with some larger fish such as pike and zander. These larger fish are called ‘predators’ because they eat smaller fish.  Ponds and reservoirs that are stocked with fish for angling often contain just a few species such as carp, bream, perch and tench.

Non-native fish pose a real threat to fish stocks.  Some species, such as the wels catfish have been introduced to provide an additional attraction for anglers.  Where these are legally stocked in the right waters they cause no harm to the wider environment.  If introduced into waters with a river connection they spread and have a devastating effect on the environment.  If you catch any non-native species you must report them immediately.

Getting Started

Beginners should start with a stillwater pond or lake for their first fishing trip with a fishing depth of around 6 feet.  Most fishing waters have an owner or are controlled by a fishing club and you must have permission to fish the water.  Many angling clubs allow you to purchase a day permit which can cost from £3.00 upwards.  Suitable starter venues include:

Remember to follow all the fishery regulations, return all fish to the water and take all your litter home with you.  Enjoy your fishing – you’ll soon be hooked!