FISHING IN WALES – MARCH 2026 UPDATE

As we move through March, the Welsh angling scene is beginning to show real signs of life after a slow and often frustrating start to the year.

Wet weather has kept activity subdued, but conditions are now steadily improving and with them, prospects across game, coarse and sea fishing are on the rise.

River Fishing

The new trout season is now underway on almost all rivers in Wales (the exception being most West Wales rivers which open on 1st April)

While early March proved challenging, there’s a been noticeable shift as waters begin to warm and river levels stabilize.

River trout venues across Wales are starting to wake up, with increasing insect activity and more consistent fish catches. Plenty of good quality fish are being caught.

Below: Kyle Cheshire and Luke Gator with South Wales wild trout.

Wild trout populations in our rivers seem robust and have overwintered well in several of our most productive systems, including the Usk, Taff, Tawe, Ebbw, Gwendraeth and Severn to name just a few.

As conditions stabilise, anglers can expect improving sport, particularly on milder days or following a moderate lift in water levels.

Below: Ryan Healey with a lower Taff trout of 3lb 12oz.

The coming weeks should offer excellent opportunities to capitalise on the early-season river trout fishing, with a mild forecast predicted. Early season dry fly fishing on Welsh rivers can be world class on the right day.

Whatever method you prefer to use, our ‘any method’ river trout fishing blog will help you catch more fish this spring.

Below: March Usk trout, caught on a dry fly by Seth Johnson-Marshall.

Many of our trout rivers are a real bargain to fish, either through angling club memberships and day tickets, or through The Fishing Passport.

Stillwater Fishing

Larger reservoir trout stillwaters have also started off with a bang this month, with venues like Llyn Clywedog, Brenig and Trawsfynydd reporting decent catches despite at times rough conditions.

Below: 29 anglers out on Trawsfynydd on 14th March for a competition.

The small stillwater fisheries are also at their best at this time of year, with fish often feeding on buzzer. Venues including Ynys y Fro, Foxhill, Dare Valley, Tan-y-Mynydd and Garnffrwd will be on song.

Most natural upland stillwaters and mountain lakes will be opening on March 20th. Dozens of these lakes on club books such as Cambrian Angling Association, Ogwen Valley AA, SGLL and Aberystwyth Angling Association should fish well, witha mix of stocked in wild fish. Late March is an underrated time if its mild.

Below: Cambrian AA, Llyn Morwynion rainbow trout.

Coarse Fishing

Coarse fishing has followed a similar pattern, with a slow start giving way to more encouraging results as the month progresses with better weather.

Lakes, canals and stillwaters are becoming increasingly productive, with carp, silver fish and predator species beginning to feed more actively.

Below: a 30lb early spring carp, Charlotte Blick the captor at Riverside Fishery.

The traditional river coarse fishing ‘close season’ is now in effect from March 15th until June 16th, which rules out targeting coarse species such as grayling, chub, barbel, silverfish and pike in flowing water.

Attention now shifts to stillwaters and some canals (check the NRW bylaws) where anglers can continue to enjoy consistent coarse angling sport into spring.

Below: Blake James catching a great bag of silver fish at Peterstone Lakes Newport.

Sea Fishing

After a particularly quiet winter, sea fishing is finally picking up pace along the Welsh coast.

Recent reports suggest the first bass of the season are starting to show, especially in areas of South Wales and Pembrokeshire. Conger, whiting, pouting and a few rays are also showing around our coasts.

For 2026 the recreational bass bag limit has been increased to three fish per angler per day, after legislation was passed in Parliament.

The ”no kill’ closed season (February and March) and the 42cm minimum size will remain in place.

Below: Kevin Clark with an early Glamorgan coast bass.

As sea temperatures rise, bass activity is expected to increase significantly, offering improved opportunities for both lure and bait anglers. Rays and Smooth-hound will also be here before long, in much better numbers.

With calmer conditions replacing the harsh storms and rain of recent months, the outlook for coastal fishing is increasingly positive.

Below: Andrew Davies with a Bristol Channel conger eel.

Looking Ahead

With the clocks soon to change and longer days coming, combined with rising temperatures and more settled weather, the end of March marks a turning point in the Welsh fishing calendar.

We also have an early Easter Holiday break to look forward to in April.

It is easier than ever to get a freshwater rod licence and you can now have it auto renewed on a subscription basis, so you don’t forget next year.

And remember, ‘Take a friend fishing‘ is back for Easter and May Bank Holiday weekend, so you can sign up for a FREE freshwater rod licence to introduce a friend to angling!

Whether you’re targeting early-season river trout, heading to stillwaters for coarse species, or exploring the coastline for the first bass of the year, there’s plenty to look forward to as we head further into springtime.

Tight lines and enjoy the start of spring!