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Follow national and local rules (byelaws) when freshwater fishing with a rod and line in England and Wales

• Overview

  You must follow national and local rules (byelaws) when freshwater fishing…

• When and where you can fish

  ‘Close seasons’ are seasons when you cannot fish for some types of fish on…

• Fish size and catch limits

  You’re only allowed to keep a certain amount of the fish you catch. These…

• Tackle you can use

  There are rules on how many rods you can use at a time, and the types of…

The Blue Book is a single collection of UK and EU laws.

• Updated: 30 July 2025

Create and submit catch records for all English and Welsh under 10 metre (U10m) flag vessels that fish in UK waters.

• Updated: 9 October 2025

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency produces a range of fishing safety publications and survey preparation guidance

• Updated: 21 April 2021

All references to Area VII are to Area VII within British Fishery Limits only. Details of the approach to managing the over 15 metre Area VII crab and scallop fishing sector to keep the fishery within UK effort limits.

• Updated: 13 October 2025

This guide highlights some of the risks that are greater if you fish on your own and what you can do about them.

• Updated: 30 January 2020

Owners of UK-flagged fishing vessels are responsible for basic health and safety on board their boats, safe working practices and safety equipment.

• Updated: 20 April 2021

This guidance provides details on how to book an inspection, how to prepare your vessel and different inspection procedures.

• Updated: 6 April 2023

How data on landings statistics are collected and processed by fisheries administrations in the UK.

• Updated: 29 January 2021

Codes of Practice detail the regular maintenance requirements of safety equipment and systems to a high standard, as is required to maintain fishing certificates.

• Updated: 16 June 2025