The Angling Trust is warning all anglers NOT to buy their licence from the commercial fishingrodlicence.com web site, unless they want to pay an unnecessary extra charge of £14 for checking over their application. This service is of no real benefit to anglers because the Environment Agency (EA) does not require applications to be checked before submission. The web site has been set up this year and comes top of a Google search for "Rod Licence". In addition to the extra charge, anglers buying their licences from the web site will not be able to go fishing until they receive their licence in the post. The EA site offers a receipt and reference number which does allow people to fish while they are waiting for the licence to arrive.
The Angling Trust strongly recommends that all freshwater anglers buy their licence direct from the Environment Agency over the phone or via its website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/recreation/fishing/31497.aspx, or from Post Offices and clearly authorised outlets. The representative body for all anglers will also be writing to Consumer Direct to complain about the web site and raising the matter with Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon MP and Charles Walker, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Angling Group.
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: "This site offers no real extra service, but demands a 50% surcharge on top of the rod licence fee and we urge all anglers to spread the word. We would encourage members who have concerns about this website to contact Consumer Direct and their MP. Any unsuspecting new anglers trying to buy their first licence might be put off by the inflated price and decide not to take up fishing."
Source: Angling Trust Fishing News
UK Fisherman would be delighted to hear from you if you would like to comment on any of our news articles. To do so, use the comment box below.
Alternatively if you would like to submit a news article of your own, please visit the CONTACT page.
Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England (except the River Tweed), Wales or the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland must have an Environment Agency rod licence.
Rod licences are available from Post Office outlets throughout England and Wales, online, by direct debit and over the telephone on 0844 800 5386. The phone line is open from 8.30am to 8.00pm daily from March to September and 8.30am to 6.00pm from October to February.
Category | Non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish) and eels | Salmon and migratory trout (sea trout), non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish) and eels |
![]() |
||
Full season (expires 31st March 2011) | £27.00 | £72.00 |
Junior Concession | £5.00 | £5.00 |
Senior Concession | £18.00 | £48.00 |
8 Day | £10.00 | £23.00 |
1 Day | £3.75 | £8.00 |
A salmon and sea trout licence covers you to fish for non-migratory trout and coarse fish as well. Failure to have a licence is an offence.
Remember: If you are fishing with 3 or 4 rods then you will need to purchase a second licence.
Any angler aged 12 years or over, fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England (except the River Tweed), Wales or the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland must have an Environment Agency rod licence.
Rod licences are available from Post Office outlets throughout England and Wales, online, by direct debit and over the telephone on 0844 800 5386. The phone line is open from 8.30am to 8.00pm daily from March to September and 8.30am to 6.00pm from October to February.
Prices for 2009/10 Rod Licences - valid from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010
Category | Non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish) and eels | Salmon and migratory trout (sea trout), non-migratory trout, char, freshwater fish (coarse fish) and eels |
![]() |
||
Full season (expires 31st March 2010) | £26.00 | £70.00 |
Junior Concession | £5.00 | £5.00 |
Senior Concession | £17.25 | £46.50 |
Disabled Concession | £17.25 | £46.50 |
8 Day | £9.50 | £22.50 |
1 Day | £3.50 | £7.75 |
A salmon and sea trout licence covers you to fish for non-migratory trout and coarse fish as well. Failure to have a licence is an offence.
Remember: If you are fishing with 3 or 4 rods then you will need to purchase a second licence.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A LICENCE BEFORE HEADING TO THE RIVER:
Submitted by Adrian Westwood at The Environment Agency
Anglers eagerly anticipating the opening of the coarse fishing season on June 16 should make sure they have a valid rod licence before heading for the river.
The reminder comes as 270 anglers were prosecuted by the Environment Agency in May, resulting in more than £38,000 in fines and costs. In addition three anglers received cautions.