The annual coarse fishing close season for rivers and streams is now in operation and runs until 15th June (inclusive). 

The close season is in place on rivers to prevent disturbance to coarse fish and protect vulnerable stocks during their peak spawning period. The close season affects all rivers, streams and drains as well as some still-waters and some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), including part of the canal network, and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. To drive awareness and remind anglers of the start of the close season, the Environment Agency launched Operation Clampdown 14, with a joint patrol across Cheshire including support from the Angling trust, the Greater Manchester & Cheshire EA Fisheries teams and Angling Trust Volunteers.  

Angling Trust Fisheries National Enforcement Support Manager Nino Brancato said: 

“Reporting close‑season offences through the Environment Agency’s new online tool is crucial for protecting our waters and every submission helps enforcement teams act quickly and effectively. We’re proud that the Angling Trust helped test and refine this system, ensuring anglers have a fast, reliable way to support the fight against illegal fishing.”

Throughout the coarse fishing close season, Environment Agency officers will conduct patrols, ensuring anglers respect the no-fishing period. Key to this, the Angling Trust’s Fisheries Enforcement Support Service will be supporting the Environment Agency throughout the close season, to ensure that illegal fishing offences are reported. The Trust will be working with clubs, fisheries and members of the public to help prevent close-season fishing, poaching and fish theft, ensuring that these vital ‘eyes and ears’ know what to report and how. 

Sgt Simpson – Rural Crime Team Supervisor for the Cheshire Police knows the value of partnership working, stating: 

“It is only by working in partnership with the Angling Trust, the Environment Agency and others that we can tackle poaching offences and other associated criminal activity in and around the waters. Wildlife and rural crime often go unreported, so we ask that everyone plays their part in looking after these wonderful places.”

Angling Trust Regional Enforcement Support Manager for the North-West Adam Wall has been working to help educate anglers on the law, to prevent illegal activity and any potential enforcement action. He says: 

“We have been patrolling multiple rivers within the GMC area including the Dee, Mersey, Weaver and Goyt/Tame catchments. Education is always our priority, but we hope to see action taken against anybody fishing in the close season.”

Complimenting this campaign, the Angling Trust’s Building Bridges Project has been working for over 10 years to help integrate and educate anglers from abroad who may not know or understand safe and legal fishing practices in England. This work has been paramount for engagement with overseas anglers, supporting real reductions in associated offending. 

To correspond with Operation Clampdown 14 the Environment Agency has launched a new digital service for reporting illegal fishing – Report illegal fishing in England – GOV.UK This brand-new online reporting tool makes reporting live illegal fishing events more accessible for the public and will assist Environment Agency responses and patrols.  

Graeme Storey, Environment Agency Fisheries Manager, said: 

“Each year we work in partnership with the Angling Trust and the Police to ensure the close season is enforced. Anyone caught fishing for coarse fish on rivers and streams at this time could face a hefty fine. During last year’s close season, the Environment Agency carried out 769 close season patrols resulting in 110 close season offences and 140 other fishing related offences.”

We would remind anglers that whilst the rivers are closed spring is a great time to get out fishing on your local lake or canal but remember you need a fishing licence – if you don’t have a valid licence you can get yours here. 

Can you still go fishing?

Yes absolutely, there are many fishing events you can get involved with, and it is the perfect time to try your hand at game or sea fishing, as well as many lakes and ponds in your area. You can find more information here: 

Get into game fishing 

Get into sea fishing 

To find out about your area check the information and local byelaws here. 

If you see any incidents of illegal fishing or suspicious activity, you can report it to the Environment Agency using the new online reporting system linked above, or the 24-hour incident number on 0800 80 70 60, and the Police on 101 for any crime that does not require an emergency response. For any crime in progress always call 999.