Cast a line this summer and land better health and wellbeing

Summer has arrived so what better way to spend those long, sunny days than packing a rod and line and once again heading for your happy place.

Wales boasts an incredible range of fishing for people of all ages and abilities with thousands of anglers already experiencing the joy and excitement gained from time spent casting a line.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) are encouraging those looking to enjoy the thrill of landing a fish and the well-being benefits fishing can bring to apply for a rod licence online.

Fishing remains a popular pastime in Wales, with thousands of people of all ages and abilities holding a rod licence.*

Ben Wilson, Principal Advisor Fisheries for Natural Resources Wales, said:

“Welsh rivers, lakes and reservoirs offer a fantastic range of recreational activities for both young and old to enjoy and the variety of fishing available in Wales makes it a truly inclusive sport.

“We want as many people as possible to experience the sheer joy of fishing, so throughout the summer we will be encouraging everybody to ‘get back to their happy place’ by either going back to fishing or trying it for the first time.

“The benefits of going fishing are extensive and can make a real difference to mental and physical wellbeing by connecting people to the natural world.”

If you are aged 13 or over you will need a rod licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in Wales or England. Concessions are available for senior and disabled anglers, while junior licences for 13 to 16-year-olds are free but young anglers do need to register.

Income generated by rod licences helps to protect and improve fisheries and facilities for anglers. Fishing without a valid rod licence is illegal and could result in a criminal conviction and a fine.

NRW works in partnership with Fishing In Wales to promote inclusive fishing opportunities across the country, supporting groups like Reel Minds CIC, a not for profit community project which has introduced more than 400 people, many who have suffered with mental health issue, to both freshwater and sea fishing.

Reel Minds’ volunteers offer people the opportunity to try fishing completely free of charge under expert tuition across South Wales. NRW has helped the group by waiving the licence fee for those trying the sport for the first time.

Find out more about the fantastic work Reel Minds does on its ‘Get Fishing’ programme in the video below:

Income generated by the Rod Licence also allows angling clubs to develop their facilities and provide first-class fishing experience for all parts of Wales.

In Torfaen, the Crow Valley Anglers worked incredibly hard at Cwmbran Boating Lake to vastly improve the fishery. The club has been supported by NRW and promoted by Fishing In Wales along with other stakeholders to create an inclusive fishing venue, where anglers and members of the public can enjoy the outdoors.

To find out more about the Crow Valley Anglers watch the following film: 

Licences are available for 12 months, 8 Days and 1 Day and Welsh speakers and learners can now apply for their licence in Welsh. They can be purchased quickly and easily online at “Get a Fishing Licence” on GOV.UK or over the phone by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386.

And further information, including full details of how to buy a licence as well as rules about how, when and where you can fish in Wales, can be found on the NRW website.

Ben added:

“If you’re new to the sport or just haven’t been fishing for a while there is plenty of support and guidance available too, everything from where to fish to what tackle you’ll need to get started.

“Joining an angling club is a great way to meet new people whether it be sharing a boat for a day on a reservoir or entering one of the many angling competitions held around Wales throughout the year.

“Or if you’ve got a friend or relative who’d like to try angling for the first why not  take advantage of the ‘Take a Friend Fishing‘ initiative, which runs from 26 July to 31 August, and aims to give more people the chance to give fishing a try by allowing a licenced angler to take a unlicenced angler fishing for the day. 

“For the best advice on where and how to fish, visit the Fishing in Wales website, www.fishingwales.net, where you’ll find everything, you’ll need to go fishing whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler.

“The Fishing in Wales website is part-funded using rod licence income and is the go-to site for both local and visiting anglers wanting to find out about fishing opportunities in Wales.

“We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to fishing in Wales and there’s plenty on offer including rivers and coarse reservoirs and still waters, so there’s no better time to get out there and go fishing.”

For more information on purchasing a rod licence visit: Natural Resources Wales / Search / rod licence