Fish Welfare & Safety
Fishing knowledge, from your first setup to the finer details. Practical guides for carp, match, predator and sea anglers.
Guides
Beginner · carp
Carp Care: Landing, Unhooking and Safe Release
Fish welfare starts before a bite. A safe rig, ready landing equipment and calm handling should be part of every carp session.
Beginner · carp / match / predator
Coarse Fishing Close Season: When and Where You Can Fish in England & Wales
The close season is the period when you can't fish for certain species on certain types of water. For coarse anglers, the big one is the river close season from 15 March to 15 June, which protects fish while they spawn. Here's how it works and where it doesn't apply.
Beginner · carp / match / predator
Fish Catch and Size Limits in England & Wales: What You Can Keep
You're only allowed to keep a certain number of the fish you catch, and they must be the right size. Anything you can't keep must go back unharmed. Taking too many fish, or fish of the wrong size, is an offence and you can be fined.
Beginner · carp
Spawning, Hot Weather and When Not to Fish
Knowing when to stop fishing is part of responsible angling. Carp can be particularly vulnerable during spawning, extreme temperatures and oxygen stress.