Fishing

Firstly, get your rod licence

Don’t forget, if you are 13 years or older, you need a rod licence to fish legally in Wales.

Check the local and national byelaws

Fishing in Wales is subject to national and local byelaws in order to protect the future of our fisheries. They apply to all waters, whether they are owned by angling clubs, local authorities or private individuals. 

Read the angling byelaws (fishing rules).

When, where and what to fish

Fishing in Wales features everything you need to know about Welsh angling. 

Managed by the Angling Trust, and funded by Visit Wales and Natural Resources Wales, the Fishing in Wales website provides a comprehensive Welsh angling resource for visitors and locals alike.

In collaboration with angling clubs, Welsh anglers, writers and influencers, it includes key information on where, how and when to fish in Wales - for all angling disciplines.

Remember if visiting Wales, please follow the Welsh Government's COVID-19 visitor charter.

Responsible angling

Practise Catch and Release to help conserve stocks. 

Stocks of salmon and sea trout have generally been declining in recent years. As a result, anglers are voluntarily releasing an increasing number of fish they capture.

The rivers Taff, Ely and Wye are now 100% Catch and Release all season for both salmon and sea trout. In addition, any salmon caught in Wales before 16 June must be returned to the river. 

Helping fish to survive

Studies show that most fish will survive after they have been released and survival rates can be up to 100% if the following steps are followed:

• Always use single or double barbless hooks
• Minimise the time spent playing a fish
• Do not remove the fish from the water at any time
• Support the fish in the water until it is fully recovered

Check-Clean-Dry: stop the spread of damaging invasive species

Invasive non-native species can have a damaging impact on British plants, animals and ecosystems. They do this by spreading disease, competing for habitat and food as well as direct predation. Anglers may unknowingly be helping to spread invasive species from one water body to another in wet equipment, such as nets and waders.

Help stop this happening by following three simple steps: Check, Clean and Dry.

Read more about disinfecting tackle to control fish disease. 

Help record wildlife

As an angler you’re in a unique position to help update wildlife records; not only the fish you catch, but all the other species you see when out fishing.

The iRecord App offers a simple field based way for you to get involved in wildlife recording and help contribute to nature conservation, planning, research and education.

You can get more information on biological recording at:
NBN Atlas Wales or the UK Biological Records Centre

Keep up to date online

If you use Twitter, you can keep up to date with fishing information, ask questions to experts and share information. Below are a few of the best people currently tweeting about fishing in Wales:

@NatResWales – Keep up to date with everything Natural Resources Wales.
@FishAround – A community for anglers, helping fishing fans find the best places to fish, share information and connect.