Salmon and sea trout: apply for a net fishing licence
When you can get a licence to catch salmon or sea trout by net in England. How to apply and rules to follow.
Applies to England
Licences for salmon and sea trout net fishing are only offered to those already licensed to fish.
Methods
Salmon and trout can be caught using the following methods, depending on the fishery:
- compass nets
- haaf nets
- draft nets
- hand nets
- trannel or whammel nets
- wade nets, including lave and dip nets
- coracle nets
- T and J nets
- drift nets
- gill nets
- seine nets
- putcher ranks, and other fixed engines
Apply for a net licence or find out more
Fish movements team
Environment Agency
Email fmapplications@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone 0208 474 5243
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Catch returns
You must send catch returns forms at the end of the season even if you do not catch anything.
For salmon and sea trout, you must submit catch returns within 14 days of your permission expiring.
You can use the catch return form or logbook you get when you are given permission.
If you do not send your catch returns you might not get permission to fish next season.