If you fish in England or Wales, you will almost certainly need a rod licence before you cast. Here is who needs one, what it costs and how to get one in about five minutes. Prices were checked on gov.uk on 5 November 2026.
Do you need a rod licence?
You need one if you are 13 or over and fishing with a rod and line for coarse fish, trout, salmon, sea trout, smelt or eel in England or Wales. That includes private lakes and club waters. If you cannot show a valid licence when asked, you can be fined up to £2,500.
Children under 13 do not need a licence. Anglers aged 13 to 16 still need one, but it is free.
How to get your licence: watch the video
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How much does a rod licence cost?
| Licence | Trout and coarse, up to 2 rods | Trout and coarse, up to 3 rods | Salmon and sea trout |
|---|
| 1 day | £7.30 | Not available | £13.50 |
| 8 days | £14.70 | Not available | £30.50 |
| 12 months | £36.80 | £55.30 | £93.10 |
| 12 months, aged 66 or over, or disabled | £24.50 | £36.80 | £62.00 |
| 12 months, aged 13 to 16 | Free | Free | Free |
There are no discounts on 1-day or 8-day licences. Gov.uk has the eligibility rules for the disabled licence.
Which licence do you need?
For most coarse and carp anglers, the trout and coarse licence for up to 2 rods is the right one. If you carp fish with three rods, you need the 3-rod licence, which only comes as a 12-month licence. If you are after salmon or sea trout, you need the salmon and sea trout licence.
The rod limits are lower for some trout fishing, and the place you fish may set its own limit, so check before you set up. Spod and marker rods do not count towards the limit unless they have hooks on them.
How to buy one
Buy your rod licence on gov.uk with a debit or credit card. You can buy one for yourself or someone else, and you can buy it up to 30 days before you want it to start. A licence sent by email or text usually arrives within an hour, so keep it on your phone. You can also buy one by phone from the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
A licence is not permission to fish
You also need permission from whoever owns or controls the water, which usually means a day ticket or a club book. We sell day tickets for Throxenby Mere and Scarborough Mere, so pick yours up from the shop before you head to the water.
When you cannot fish: the close season
You cannot fish for coarse fish on rivers in England and Wales from 15 March to 15 June. Most stillwaters and canals are open all year, but private waters can set their own close seasons, and local byelaws also apply, so check before you go.
Do you need a licence for sea fishing in Scarborough?
The rod licence covers salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt and eel. Sea fish such as cod, whiting and mackerel are not on that list, so you do not need one to catch them from the beach or the piers. If you are fishing for sea trout or salmon, you do.
Licence sorted? Now get your kit
Not sure what you need? Come and see us at 70 Falsgrave Road, or call 01723 351326.