Apply to Use Nets, Traps, or Electric Fishing Instruments in English Inland Waters
Summary
The Environment Agency, CEFAS, and Defra have published guidance on obtaining written permission to use nets, traps, or electric fishing instruments in English inland waters including canals, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Applications require details on timing, fishing instruments, site location with national grid reference, water type and size, conservation designations, and species to be removed. Decisions take up to 25 working days, or longer for protected areas. Authorisation does not permit removal of fish from private waters without the owner's permission.
“You must get written permission to fish using nets, traps or electric fishing instruments in inland waters in England.”
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GovPing monitors UK CEFAS for new environment regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 5 changes logged to date.
What changed
This guidance establishes the application process for authorisation to fish using nets, traps, or electric fishing instruments in English inland waters. Applicants must provide comprehensive site and operational details including timing, instrument types, national grid references, water classifications, and conservation designations. The guidance distinguishes between charged applications for eel/elver and lamprey/smelt catches and free applications for other species. Approved authorisations are site-specific and instrument-specific, with conditions imposed on catch species, methods, locations, and dates.
Affected parties—including commercial fishers, researchers, and environmental contractors—must obtain written authorisation before commencing operations and separately secure permission from private water owners or angling clubs for fish removal. Applications in protected areas with SSSI designations face extended processing timelines. Non-compliance with authorisation conditions could result in enforcement action under fisheries legislation.
Archived snapshot
Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Guidance
Apply to use fishing instruments other than rod and line in England
Get permission to use nets, traps or electric fishing instruments in inland waters.
From: Environment Agency, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Published 31 March 2026 Get emails about this page
Applies to England
Print this page You must get written permission to fish using nets, traps or electric fishing instruments in inland waters in England.
Inland waters include:
- canals
- rivers
- streams
- stillwaters, like lakes and ponds There are different rules for fishing by rod and line.
Before you apply
To apply for authorisation to use nets, traps or electric fishing instruments, you’ll need to know:
- when you plan to fish
- what fishing instruments you’ll use
- the name and location of the site or water where you want to fish, including the national grid reference
- the type and size of the water
- if the site has a conservation designation, like a site of special scientific interest (SSSI)
- details of any species of fish you want to remove You can get advice from the Environment Agency before you apply.
Apply for authorisation
There’s a charge for catching for the following species by net or trap:
- eel and elver
- lamprey and smelt Authorisation is free for catching other species by fishing instruments other than rod and line.
After you apply
It usually takes up to 25 working days to get a decision on an application. It may take longer if the fishery is in a protected area and has a conservation designation.
If your application is approved, you’ll be sent written authorisation. This will set out the work you plan to do, with conditions about the:
- fish you can catch
- fishing instruments you can use
- site you can fish at
- dates you can fish Getting this authorisation only gives you permission to use the fishing instruments specified at the site named.
The authorisation does not give you permission to remove fish from private waters. You must get permission from the owner of the fishery or angling club.
Get help
Contact the fish movements team if you need:
- help with an application
- to ask a question
- to ask for an alternative format Fish movements team
Environment Agency
Email fmapplications@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone 0208 474 5243
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Updates to this page
Published 31 March 2026
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