The Government have now formally responded to the representations made by the Angling Trust and fishing will be now permitted during the third national lockdown in England as a form of exercise. However anglers must adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time outdoors.
The Angling Trust ask that anglers bear in mind the following key points :
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.
Further details can be found on the Angling Trust Website: https://anglingtrust.net/covid-19/