Do I need a rod licence?

Anyone over the age of 12 who wishes to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt and eels in England, Wales or the Border Esk region of Scotland requires a rod licence to fish with a rod and line.  If you are fishing for coarse fish with three or four rods (four is the maximum allowed) then you need two licences.

Where can I buy my rod licence?

You can buy your rod licence from Post Office outlets throughout England and Wales, online, online, by direct debit and over the telephone on0844 800 5386. The phone line is open from 8.30am to 8pm daily from March to September and 8.30am to 6.30pm from October to February.

I have heard I can apply for a licence through other websites. Is this correct?

Only the Post Office and a number of specific fisheries are allowed to sell rod licences. We are aware that other websites offer to “process” your rod licence application for you and may charge you a fee for this service. We have no connection with such websites and do not endorse the service they provide.

How to apply for a rod licence if living abroad?

If you live abroad and want to apply for a concession licence you should contact us directly, either via our website or through our general enquiries number, details can be found at the top of this page by clicking the ‘contact us’ link

All other overseas customers wishing to use a rod and line to fish will need to buy a licence on their arrival in England or Wales using the address they are staying at during their visit

I have changed my name and address. What should I do?

If you have changed your name and/or address, please let the environment agency know by emailing them at enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk or phoning them on 03708 506 506 so that they can update their records

When will my licence run out?

If you buy a full licence it will run out on the 31 March each year unless you have bought a new season licence in advance. One-day licences are valid for 24 hours from the start time, and eight-day licences are valid for 192 consecutive hours from the start time.

How soon after buying my rod licence can I fish?

If you have bought a full licence for this season from the Post Office, by phone or on line on the Environment Agency/Post Office website, you are covered to go fishing immediately. You will receive a till receipt (from Post Office branches) or confirmation email from the Environment Agency (for online or telephone purchases) to confirm that your purchase has been successfully processed.

If you have bought a one or eight day licence you can fish from the start date and start time stated on the licence application. Again, you will receive a till receipt or confirmation email from the Environment Agency to confirm that your purchase has been successfully processed.

Please note, some websites offer to process your rod licence application for you. There may be a delay between you applying to these websites and us receiving and completing the transaction. You must wait till your receive an email from the Environment Agency, confirming that the transaction is complete before you go fishing.

When will I receive my licence?

Licences are not posted for one and eight day licences. Full licences are sent out within a couple of days of you buying the licence. If you have not received your licence seven days after purchase, please call us on 03708 506 506 and we can look into this for you.. I have bought a trout and coarse rod licence and want to fish for salmon.

Do I need to buy a new licence?

You may upgrade your trout and coarse licence to a salmon and sea trout licence at any time during the year. To upgrade your licence you must take it to a Post Office branch. You’ll need to pay the difference in cost between the licences (regardless of when you upgrade). The Post Office will keep your trout and coarse licence and a salmon and sea trout licence will be posted to you. You can still fish for non-migratory trout and coarse fish with the salmon and migratory trout licence.

Can I get a concessionary rod licence?

Concessions are available for juniors aged between 12 and 16 years old, seniors aged 65 years and over and disabled anglers who are in receipt of a Blue Badge or Disability Living Allowance. Your eligibility for a concession may be checked against the information you provide as part of the application process.

Do I need a licence if I take my young child fishing?

Children younger than 12 do not need to buy a rod licence. While parents and guardians accompanying their young children fishing are not compelled to have a licence, most will already have one. Those that do not are advised to buy one to avoid any risk that, while assisting a child, they are being deemed to be fishing themselves. If you are only taking a child fishing once or twice, you may choose to buy a short-term licence; more often and an annual (full or concessionary) licence may be worthwhile.

Remember, many angling clubs and fisheries run introductory angling events to introduce youngsters and adults alike to fishing. Many of these events will have a general or temporary licence, allowing anyone attending to fish without buying their own licence.

For more information, visit our the Agencys: angling events page.

I have receive a renewal letter in the post. How do I renew my rod licence?

If you have received a renewal letter in the post, check that all the details are correct. If they are then either take your letter with you to the Post office, or choose the renewal option online or over the telephone. This way, you will be able to renew your licence without having to provide all your details again. If your details on the letter are incorrect or have changed then you will need to buy a licence by providing your details again. This will ensure we have the correct details for you on our database. You do not need to keep your renewal letter after renewing your licence.

Do I need a renewal letter to buy a licence?

No, not at all. If you have not received a renewal letter or don’t have it to hand when you are renewing you can still buy a licence online, at the Post Office or over the phone. You will just need to provide us with your name and address details.

I have lost my rod licence and need a replacement, what do I do now?

If you have lost your rod licence or it has been destroyed then you can get a replacement licence. To get a replacement you will need to call us on 03708 506 506. There is a £5 (£1 for juniors) charge for a replacement licence payable by debit/credit card, cheque or postal order.

I want a refund on my rod licence, is this possible?

Rod licences are non-refundable unless they have been bought in error and are returned to us immediately following purchase. To apply for a refund please send your rod licence along with a covering letter explaining why you want the refund to:

Rod Licences
National Customer Contact centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Which rod licence should I buy?

Find out what types of licence are available, and which one is right for you.