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The Coarse Fishing Close Season Explained
The coarse fishing close season in England and Wales runs from 15 March to 15 June every year. During this period, you cannot fish for coarse species on rivers, streams, and drains. The close season exists to protect fish during their spawning period and has been a legal requirement since the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Here is the good news for stillwater anglers: most enclosed stillwaters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and commercial fisheries) are exempt from the close season. That means you can fish year-round at your local commercial. However, some stillwaters voluntarily observe the close season, so always check with the fishery before turning up in April with your gear.
Canals fall under the close season rules as they are classed as waterways. The River Avon (Bristol), the Thames, and all EA-managed rivers are included. If it flows, assume the close season applies unless you have confirmed otherwise.
Month-by-Month: What to Fish For
January and February are prime pike fishing months. The cold water concentrates baitfish, and pike feed aggressively before spawning. Deadbaiting on rivers and drains is brilliant this time of year. Perch are also active through the winter, and lure fishing with small jigs and dropshots can produce some cracking specimens. On the coast, winter cod fishing peaks in January, especially from the northeast beaches.
March through May brings the transition. The coarse close season starts on the 15th of March on rivers, but stillwaters keep going. Trout season opens in March across most rivers, and dry fly and nymph fishing gets underway as the first hatches appear. Carp start to stir in April and May as water temperatures climb above 10°C. By May, tench and bream are spawning in the shallows, and summer species start to wake up.
June to September is peak season for just about everything. The coarse close season lifts on 16 June, the 'Glorious 16th', and rivers are open again. Carp fishing is at its best through June, July, and August. Barbel fishing on rivers hits peak form in late summer. Sea fishing is excellent: mackerel, bass, and bream from the shore; tuna and shark on charter boats. Fly fishing for trout continues on rivers and reservoirs.
Trout and Salmon Season Dates
Trout season varies by river and region, but generally runs from March to September or October. The exact dates depend on the river, as the Environment Agency sets individual opening and closing dates. Most reservoir trout fisheries operate from late March or April through to the end of October, with some offering catch-and-release through winter.
Salmon season dates are even more variable. The earliest rivers open in January (the Hampshire Avon, for example), while many Scottish rivers open in February. Most English and Welsh salmon rivers open between March and April, with the season running through to the end of September or October. All salmon caught must be recorded on your catch return; this is a legal requirement attached to your salmon licence.
If you are planning a salmon fishing trip, check the specific river dates well in advance. Permit availability on popular beats can be limited, especially on Scottish rivers like the Tay, Spey, and Dee. FishPal.com is the go-to resource for booking salmon beats in Scotland.
Regional Differences: England, Wales, Scotland
England and Wales share the same close season rules: 15 March to 15 June on rivers for coarse fish. The Environment Agency manages both. Byelaws can vary between EA regions, so local rules on methods and bag limits may differ. Always check the EA website for your region.
Scotland operates entirely differently. There is no statutory close season for coarse fish. Instead, individual fisheries and estates set their own rules. Salmon and sea trout seasons are managed locally by District Salmon Fishery Boards, with dates varying significantly between rivers. Some Scottish rivers have conservation measures like mandatory catch-and-release during certain months.
The key takeaway: do not assume the rules from your home patch apply everywhere. A quick check before you travel saves embarrassment, and potentially a fine.
Plan Your Year with GilledIt
The best anglers plan their fishing around the seasons. Knowing when to target each species means you spend less time blanking and more time netting fish. GilledIt's catch log helps you track what you caught, when, and in what conditions, so you can spot your own seasonal patterns over time.
Download GilledIt free on iOS and Android. Log every session, check the weather before you go, and build a fishing diary that actually helps you catch more. Your future self will thank you when you are wondering whether barbel fished better in August or September last year.
Frequently Asked Questions
The coarse fishing close season in England and Wales runs from 15 March to 15 June on rivers, streams, and drains. Most enclosed stillwaters and commercial fisheries are exempt and can be fished year-round.
You can fish on most enclosed stillwaters, commercial fisheries, and canals (for some species) during the close season. Rivers, streams, and drains are closed to coarse fishing from 15 March to 15 June. Trout and salmon have separate season dates.
Trout season generally opens in March on most rivers, though exact dates vary by river and region. Reservoir trout fisheries typically open from late March or April through to the end of October.
Scotland has no statutory close season for coarse fish. Individual fisheries may set their own rules. Salmon and sea trout seasons are managed locally and vary between rivers.
Winter fishing in the UK is excellent for pike, perch, chub, and grayling on freshwater. On the coast, cod, whiting, and dab are the main winter targets. Carp can be caught in winter too, though bites are fewer and far between.