Types of licences and rod limits

Trout, coarse fish and eel licence

This lets you fish for non-migratory trout and all freshwater fish, including smelt and eel.

You can use your licence to fish with:

  • 1 rod for non-migratory trout in rivers, streams, drains and canals
  • up to 2 rods for non-migratory trout in reservoirs, lakes and ponds
  • up to 2 rods for other freshwater fish

You can also buy a 12-month licence that lets you use up to 3 rods for freshwater fish, excluding non-migratory trout.

The place where you fish may have additional rules about how many rods you can use there.

Salmon and sea trout licence

This lets you fish for salmon, sea trout, non-migratory trout and all freshwater fish, including smelt and eel.

You can use your licence to fish with:

  • 1 rod for salmon, sea trout and non-migratory trout in rivers, streams and canals
  • up to 2 rods for salmon, sea trout and non-migratory trout in reservoirs, lakes and ponds
  • up to 3 rods for other freshwater fish

If you hold a salmon and sea trout licence, you must report a catch return every year even if you did not fish.

The place where you fish may have additional rules about how many rods you can use there.

Rods that are not affected by licence limits

The following rods are not affected by licence limits unless they have hooks attached:

  • spod rods (used to propel bait into water)
  • marker rods (used to mark out lines)