UK sea fishing rules
Sea angling rules depend on where you fish. In England, bass rules are national and each of the 10 Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) sets minimum sizes for its own stretch of coast. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own rules. We only show a number when we've confirmed it on the official page. Everywhere else we link to the official source.
Rules last checked 23 October 2026. Rules change, especially for bass: always check the official source before you keep a fish. This page isn't legal advice.
Bass
Bass rules for England (MMO guidance)
Minimum size 42cm. Up to 3 bass per angler per day (outside the catch-and-release period). Catch and release only from 1 February to 31 March.
England. Applies from the shore and from boats. Bass nursery areas have extra catch-and-release rules: check the MMO guidance for your area.
Official page · checked 23 October 2026
Wales
Minimum size 42cm.
Bag limits and catch-and-release periods in Wales are in the Welsh Government's bass guidance, updated each year. Check it before you keep a bass.
Official page · checked 23 October 2026
Protected and release-only species
- Allis shad and twaite shad (Cornwall IFCA): Protected: release at once. Protected species. Release at once if hooked. Source
- White skate (Cornwall IFCA): Protected: release at once. Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Release at once if hooked. Source
- Angel shark (Cornwall IFCA): Protected: release at once. Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Release at once if hooked. Source
- Tope (Cornwall IFCA): Can't be kept: return alive. Tope can't be landed: return every tope alive. Source
Northumberland IFCA
Northumberland Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
Minimum sizes are set in the IFCA's byelaw. We haven't confirmed the numbers yet, so check the official page.
North Eastern IFCA
North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
| Species | Minimum size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cod | 35cm | |
| Dover Sole | 24cm | |
| Mackerel | 30cm | |
| Plaice | 27cm | |
| Whiting | 27cm |
Checked 23 October 2026. The official page explains how each fish is measured.
Eastern IFCA
Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
Kent & Essex IFCA
Kent and Essex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
Sussex IFCA
Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
Minimum sizes are set in the IFCA's 2021 byelaw. We haven't confirmed the numbers yet, so check the official page.
Southern IFCA
Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
Minimum sizes are set in the IFCA's byelaw. We haven't confirmed the numbers yet, so check the official page.
Devon & Severn IFCA
Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
The IFCA's page lists no finfish minimum sizes for anglers apart from bass (national rules). Check the official page.
Cornwall IFCA
Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
| Species | Minimum size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bream | 23cm | From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Brill | 30cm | From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Conger Eel | 58cm | From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Dab | 15cm | From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Flounder | 25cm | From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Golden Grey Mullet | 20cm | Listed as grey mullet. From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Thick-lipped Grey Mullet | 20cm | Listed as grey mullet. From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Thin-lipped Mullet | 20cm | Listed as grey mullet. From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
| Turbot | 30cm | From byelaws Cornwall IFCA inherited; some rivers and estuaries aren't covered. Check the official page. |
Checked 23 October 2026. The official page explains how each fish is measured.
Isles of Scilly IFCA
Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
The IFCA's byelaws list no finfish minimum sizes for anglers apart from bass (national rules). Check the official page.
North Western IFCA
North Western Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority · official page
| Species | Minimum size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bream | 23cm | |
| Blonde Ray | 45cm wing tip to wing tip | Applies to any skate or ray. |
| Brill | 30cm | |
| Coalfish | 35cm | Listed as saithe. |
| Cod | 35cm | |
| Conger Eel | 58cm | |
| Dab | 15cm | |
| Dover Sole | 24cm | |
| Flounder | 25cm | |
| Haddock | 30cm | |
| Herring | 20cm | |
| Ling | 63cm | |
| Mackerel | 20cm | |
| Plaice | 27cm | |
| Pollack | 30cm | |
| Scad | 15cm | Listed as horse mackerel. |
| Small-eyed Ray | 45cm wing tip to wing tip | Applies to any skate or ray. |
| Spotted Ray | 45cm wing tip to wing tip | Applies to any skate or ray. |
| Thick-lipped Grey Mullet | 20cm | Listed as thick-lip mullet. |
| Thornback Ray | 45cm wing tip to wing tip | Applies to any skate or ray. |
| Turbot | 30cm | |
| Undulate Ray | 45cm wing tip to wing tip | Applies to any skate or ray. |
| Whiting | 27cm |
Checked 23 October 2026. The official page explains how each fish is measured.
Wales
Welsh Government · official page
Welsh Government sets the rules in Welsh waters. Check the official page for other species.
Scotland
Scottish Government Marine Directorate · official page
The Scottish Government Marine Directorate sets the rules in Scottish waters. Check the official page.
Northern Ireland
DAERA · official page
DAERA sets the rules in Northern Ireland waters. Check the official page.