Unlicensed anglers called to account

The Environment Agency says its enforcement teams carried out more than 13,000 rod licence checks across England in May, and of the anglers checked, 965 were fishing illegally.

May falls within the coarse fishing “close season” which runs from 15th March to 15th June and while some anglers without licences were fishing rivers , the majority were caught on stillwaters where fishing is still allowed.

An annual licence costs £27 whereas a recent offender paid a penalty in excess of £800, the Environment Agency warns.