£200,000 of fishing licence income invested to get more people fishing – Get Fishing Funding agreed to support 113 projects across England in 2024

Funding agreed to support 113 projects across England in 2024

People who enjoy going fishing have received the welcome news that the Environment Agency and the Angling Trust – the governing body that looks after angling in England – have invested £200,000 in community angling projects.

The Get Fishing Fund helps more people benefit from simple act of going fishing which has proven health and wellbeing benefits and is even available on prescription from your GP! The money will be spent on beginner-level fishing lessons to swell the ranks of one of the country’s most popular pastimes. Last year the Get Fishing Fund led to the delivery of over 1,000 events where 13,000 had a go at fishing.

Heidi Stone, Fisheries Partnership Manager at the Environment Agency commented: “We see huge benefits from our investment of rod licence income. Working with the Angling Trust these projects result in many more people being able to try fishing for the first time and experience the benefits angling can bring.”

The Angling Trust’s Head of Participation Clive Copeland added: “Our country has a fine tradition of fishing clubs and beautiful places where anybody can get out and enjoy the most scenic and peaceful places to relax and unwind next to water. The Angling Trust are here to help any organisation get more people fishing.” Go to the Get Fishing pages on the Angling Trust website for more information and how to contact us.

The Get Fishing Fund awards will help organisers of participation projects to purchase fishing tackle, resources and equipment such as seat boxes and gazebos to ensure the events are run safely. Funding was also provided towards the costs of peg fees and venue hire.

Notes for Editors:

• The contact for this Press Release is: [email protected]
• The Angling Trust’s Get Fishing introduces over 30,000 people a year to angling at hundreds of fun, safe and friendly beginner fishing events funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income.

Quotes from a few of the Get Fishing Fund projects:

• Sue Galloway BEM, Northampton Nene Angling Club: “Creating opportunities for children, young people, and parents to try fishing helps them maintain healthy wellbeing.”
• Ashley Bunning, SW Lakes Trust: “Everyone that attended Get Fishing events on our reservoirs. thoroughly enjoyed it. Even people who at the start weren’t sure what to expect from fishing were full of enjoyment when they caught their first fish.”
• Mark Smedley, MS Angling and Education: “Children at our Get Fishing events loved being out in the fresh air, socialising with each other and sharing amazing new experiences. They all learnt new skills, grew in confidence, and had a new and exciting experience to share with friends and family”

Image: Thanks to Get Fishing Funded project the UK Fishing School