Apply to Use Fishing Instruments Other Than Rod and Line in England
Summary
The Environment Agency, CEFAS, and Defra have published guidance for England on applying for authorisation to use nets, traps, or electric fishing instruments in inland waters (canals, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds). Applications require details including planned fishing dates, instrument types, site locations with national grid references, water types and sizes, conservation designations, and target fish species. There is a fee for catching eel/elver or lamprey/smelt by net or trap; authorisation is free for other species.
What changed
This guidance document establishes the application process for authorisation to use nets, traps, or electric fishing instruments in England's inland waters. Applicants must submit detailed information about their fishing plans, including site locations with national grid references, target species, and any conservation designations. The guidance distinguishes between fee-based authorisation for eel/elver and lamprey/smelt catches and free authorisation for other species.
Affected parties—including commercial fishermen, researchers, and conservation groups—must obtain written authorisation before conducting fishing operations with these instruments. The Environment Agency fish movements team will process applications within 25 working days, with longer review times possible for sites with conservation designations such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Applicants should note that authorisation only covers specified instruments at the named site and does not grant rights to remove fish from private waters.
What to do next
- Apply for written authorisation before using nets, traps, or electric fishing instruments in inland waters in England
- Submit required details including site location (national grid reference), fishing dates, instrument types, water characteristics, and target fish species
- Obtain separate permission from the fishery owner or angling club to remove fish from private waters
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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