Rod Fishing Licence UK: Prices, Types, Rod Limits and How to Buy (2026)

Who needs a rod fishing licence

You must have a rod fishing licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line in:

• England (except the River Tweed)
• Wales
• The Border Esk region, including the parts of the river in Scotland

This includes fishing on private land, such as angling club waters and private fishing lakes. The licence fee funds fish stocking, habitat and fishery improvements and work to prevent illegal fishing.

Children, juniors and carers

• Children under 13 don't need a licence
• Juniors aged 13 to 16 need a junior licence, which is free
• Carers accompanying someone who is fishing don't need a licence unless they fish themselves

You also need permission to fish

A rod licence doesn't give you the right to fish anywhere. You also need permission from the land or fishery owner, usually a day ticket, club membership or fishing permit. For example, fishing locks and weirs on the River Thames needs a separate lock and weir permit.

Types of licence and rod limits

Spod rods and marker rods don't count towards your rod limit unless they have hooks attached. Fisheries can set lower rod limits than your licence allows.

Rod licence prices 2026

There are no discounts on 1-day or 8-day licences.

Disabled licence eligibility

You can get a discounted 12-month disabled licence if you have a Blue Badge or meet its criteria, or receive Personal Independence Payment (any rate) or Disability Living Allowance. If you get PIP or DLA you'll need your National Insurance number (or child reference number if under 16).

How to buy a rod licence

1. Online at get-fishing-licence.service.gov.uk with a debit or credit card
2. By phone on 0344 800 5386, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (except public holidays)

You can buy for yourself or someone else (you'll need their details, such as date of birth) up to 30 days before you want it to start. Email and text licences usually arrive within an hour; posted licences within 10 working days.

Replace, update or extend a licence

Contact the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506 or enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk to replace a lost licence, update your name or address, or ask a question. To upgrade a 1-day or 8-day licence to 12 months, call 0344 800 5386 no later than 14 days after it expires; you buy the new licence and get a refund for the first.

Scotland and Northern Ireland

You don't need a rod licence anywhere in Scotland except the Border Esk region, only permission from the landowner or club. In Northern Ireland you need a rod licence and angling permit from a Northern Irish agency (see nidirect.gov.uk).

Source: Environment Agency and GOV.UK, Buy a rod fishing licence (gov.uk/fishing-licences), checked 13 October 2026. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Prices and rules can change, so always check GOV.UK before you buy. This guide is general information, not legal advice.