As a new fishing season begins, the Environment Agency is inviting anglers to return to rivers across England.

The close season for coarse fishing, which runs from 15 March to 15 June, has ended, and anglers are now welcome to fish in rivers, streams, and drains, along with some canals and protected stillwaters.

This annual close season is enforced to protect coarse fish and ensure the health and resilience of fish populations during their peak spawning period. Dr. Graeme Storey, the Environment Agency Fisheries Manager, emphasized the importance of this period, saying:

"The close season helps to protect the health and resilience of fish populations. Thank you to all anglers across England who have followed the rules of the close season, and welcome back for the start of a new fishing season."

The Environment Agency also reminds anglers that anyone over the age of 13 must have a valid fishing licence to fish in English waters. Fishing without a valid licence can result in penalties of up to £2,500. Photo by Walter Baxter / Anglers at Crooked Loch / CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia commons.