Fishing in Lockdown 3 - what can you do?

Thanks to the hard work and lobbying of the Angling Trust, fishing is now permitted in the third England lockdown. The rules for anglers are, however, still significantly restricted to comply with the wider lockdown laws.

According to Sport England you can still go fishing as long as:

• you are by yourself

• with the people you live with

• with your support bubble (​if you’re legally permitted to form one)

• in a childcare bubble where providing childcare

• when on your own, with one person from another household while following social distancing.

• You don’t travel outside of your local area in order to go fishing

• You only go fishing once per day

See the full Sport England guidance here.

The Angling Trust are set to soon release their full guidance but have already made several key points anglers should follow, these are…

• We are in a National Lockdown and this must be respected. The law requires a ‘reasonable excuse’ to leave your home or penalties will apply.

• The Government has recognised that fishing can be seen as exercise, which is expressly permitted under the lockdown rules, although outdoor recreation is not.

• Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing.

• The exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.

• To remain within the law you should follow the Government’s guidance, and only fish locally. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways. Full Government guidance on travel can be found here.

To keep up to date with the Angling Trust guidance visit their website here.

Anglers can now go fishing in lockdown 3