Over the next fortnight, one thousand anglers will have their licences checked in the Central Midlands area, including Coventry, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Burton, Stafford and Stoke.
As part of the Midlands region’s end of season blitz, Environment Agency bailiffs will be out and about checking anglers’ rod licences.
Fisheries Team Leader, Phil Wormald, says: “The close season for coarse fishing on rivers starts on Saturday 15 March and the current rod licence expires on 31 March, so don’t get caught out. Make sure you get your new licence.”
All rod licence revenue is used to protect and improve fisheries and to provide better access to angling for people from all walks of life, so rod licence dodgers are cheating responsible anglers as well as breaking the law. Our bailiffs found and checked nearly 13,000 anglers who did have a valid licence when challenged, so the vast majority of anglers are helping to look after their sport.
Angling is becoming more popular every year, so if you’re new to fishing or want to get into it you can get your licence on-line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk, by direct debit, by phoning (08701)662662 or at any post office.
