The Government has announced that from Wednesday 6 January national lockdown rules will be in force across England in order to protect the NHS and save lives.
It has been confirmed that fishing is allowed as exercise 'so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors'.
This has also been confirmed by DEFRA:
'Cabinet Office have now officially confirmed that angling / fishing (incl. sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.'
Please bear in mind these key points which are reflected in the new Angling Trust guidelines:
This is a strictly limited resumption of LOCAL fishing and very different to how we have been allowed to operate since May.
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 within the district where you live. If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.
For more information please read the Angling Trust's new blog 'Lockdown Fishing: How to fish legally, safely and responsibly, and how we got there!'