Welsh Fisheries
Fishing has long been important in Wales - we have some of Brtiain's richest and most famous salmon and sea trout rivers. In the last few decades, as water quality has improved, high quality fisheries have begun to return, even in the rivers of the industrial south.
Apart from the pleasure they give to anglers, Wales' fisheries are important to the country as a whole. Fishing is important for the Welsh tourist economy, as our fine rivers are now a major attraction for visitors from less fortunate parts of the world!
A good quality environment is a pre-requisite for a thriving fishery so, when people see a salmon leaping, they know that there's not much wrong with their local river. Of course this doesn't happen by itself and Environment Agency Wales spends millions of pounds each year, part of which comes from the sale of rod licences, on managing and improving fisheries.
Our staff improve fish habitats and protect fish from illegal fishing and pollution. We create new fisheries; re-develop sites that have fallen into disuse; build fish passes (which allow fish to migrate past man-made barriers); and provide expert advice on fisheries management. We also have salmon & trout hatcheries which produce fish for major mitigation schemes (such as the Cardiff Bay project).
These pages tell you more about what we do, how you can help support our fisheries and how you can make the most of the fine angling opportunities in Wales.
- Buy your rod licence online
Anglers (aged 12 years or over) fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England (except the River Tweed), Wales or the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland, must have an Environment Agency rod licence. - Review of Welsh Fisheries Enforcement Activities
This Review has provided the opportunity to share good practice across Wales, develop new ideas and identify areas for improvement in our existing enforcement work -
The Sustainable Fisheries Programme (Acrobat, 96KB, 50 s)
The programme is concerned with developing the health of fisheries in Wales, so they can provide a sustainable natural resource for local communities and visitors. The case study looks at how this project will increase the value of angling tourism and contribute to the well being of local communities. - Fishing Byelaws for Wales
What you need to know to stay within the law - Fishing Wales
A website which aims to ensure you have a rich experience when fishing in Wales, providing all types of information that will help you spend more time with a rod in your hand. -
A Strategy for the Recreational Fisheries of Wales (Acrobat, 441KB, 3.5 min)
This document describes a high-level framework via which Assembly-Sponsored Bodies with an influence on fisheries, ecology, tourism and economic development can work in partnership with angling governing bodies, clubs and fishery owners to optimise the value to Wales of its coastal and inland recreational fisheries. - Salmon Action Plans for Wales
Environment Agency Wales has prepared a series of action plans, based on river catchments, setting out what needs to be done to support and restore salmon populations.
