Do You Require a Fishing Licence for Your Canal Boat Holiday?

Your paperwork becomes important when planning a canal boat vacation that includes some fishing. Two different forms of licensing can come into play for fishing centric boat trips in England and Wales, and it can be easy to think that one licence covers the other. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

The first of these is a boat navigation licence, issued by the appropriate waterway authority, most often the Canal and River Trust, for a particular boat to be operated and used on a waterway. In most cases, a company that hires boats deals with this, so it is usually not a concern for a guest on vacation.

The second, and more frequently overlooked, is a fishing rod licence held by the Environment Agency. At the behest of the Environment Agency, anyone who is thirteen years or older, fishing with a rod and line, to catch coarse fish, eels or game fish (such as salmon and trout) must be in possession of this licence, regardless of whether they are fishing from the bank or from a moored boat, and is a completely independent licence from the boat’s licence and any day tickets or permits to fish a certain stretch of water.

Rod licences are usually sold either as a single licence without restrictions or separated by licensing for coarse fishing and nonmigratory trout and a licence for salmon and sea trout.

You can purchase licences online, by phone, or at most Post Offices, and it is recommended to avoid last minute trips to purchase licences before taking a trip to an area that is likely to have limited mobile service. Enforcement officials check some popular waterways and a licence is required to avoid getting a costly fine.

In addition to the licence, some small habits help make a fishing and boating trip more enjoyable. In addition to being in a protective case, your licence, fishing club permit, and fishery permit (when applicable) should be easily accessible at all times. Check the area that you are planning to fish and determine if it is controlled by a local fishing club or fishery. Keep in mind that many lengths of the towpath are controlled by local clubs and require a permit in addition to a fishing licence. Notice boards at fishing spots, and the towpath, are the best sources to help find local details.

Consider the scheduling of fishing trips in relation to the boat. Stopping to fish at good spots is more productive and courteous to fellow boaters. Less active lock areas are good options for fishing since they are less disturbed.

Remember that rules differ according to the region in England, Wales and Scotland, as well as different navigation authorities, so if your journey crosses into a new region, make the effort to check the local laws and permits, as you can’t assume your existing licences and permits will be valid for your entire journey.

Answering some questions and filling in a little paperwork is a really quick process, but it can ensure you can enjoy your holiday. A relaxing cruise, a good mooring and a few hours casting a line into the water are hard to beat for a wonderful break from everyday routine.