The rules on fishing in Wales, where you can go and who you can go fishing with, as of 29^th September 2020.

Also, anglers must observe the closed season on rivers and canals. Private lakes are not subject to the close season.

Members of AnglingCymru are meeting with Welsh Government to plan for further easing of restrictions over the coming weeks.

Health regulations (Coronavirus Restrictions)(Wales) Regulations 2020 as amended, section 8(1) & (2)

On the 13^th May 2020. The First Minister, Mark Drakeford, confirmed in Wednesday's Plenary (13/05/2020) that angling is allowed under the new lockdown laws but only with the locality of where the Angler lives and it must be done locally and people must observe social distancing.
"Here in Wales, we are encouraging people to stay home as that is the best way in which we can help one another to overcome this crisis. That's why we're all making the sacrifices that we are.

"But people are allowed now to leave their homes more than once a day for exercise, and if your way of taking exercise is to walk from your home to a river and to sit there and not near other people, and to go fishing, then that is allowed within the rules in Wales.
"But it must be local and they must observe social distancing."

Who can I go fishing with?
As with any other form of exercise, it must be done alone or with one other household member. Not 2 or more, just 1.

"Our laws are clear that you must exercise alone or with members of your household".

Angling Cymru also advise people to sanitise hands regularly and avoid dangerous fishing venues or those where you cannot maintain safe distancing.
No boat fishing, overnight fishing or fishing in closed areas of land or property are permitted provided permission has been granted by the land or venue owner.

Natural Resources Wales also add that you must:

• have a valid fishing rod license
• adhere to fisheries byelaws including the close season on rivers and canals.
• have permission from the land owner to be there.

Where can I go fishing?

The advice on the Welsh Government website confirms that exercise should only be done locally and this is the case for fishing.

"To reduce the risk of spread of coronavirus exercise must also be done within an area local to home," reads the Welsh Government's guidelines. If you have any symptoms DO NOT come fishing here as Bill is on the "at risk" list and does not want it, period! Opening up for your fishing already puts him at risk, so your cooperation and consideration would be appreciated, including DON'T KEEP HIM Talking!

"Exercise should not, therefore, involve travelling any significant distance from home.

A "common sense" approach is encouraged when it comes to the definition of local. By that we mean within your locality and not places many miles away.

Can I drive to go fishing?
There's a great deal of confusion around this, but hopefully clarification should be forthcoming soon. Disabled or non-ambulant persons by necessity can drive to a fishing venue.

Natural Resources Wales, in their own guidelines, state that you can go fishing, but without driving. However, Angling Cyrmu announced earlier in the week that driving to fish was permitted in local areas.
Our take on this is that most fisheries are located in rural areas, not within towns or cities, and therefore would necessitate most people having to drive to fish on one. Unless, of course, you are lucky enough to have one on your doorstep? But, with the significant gear that anglers now carry, using a car is almost a necessity!

Hopefully, we can get this clarified soon? Also, your destination venue must be your nearest one, not necessarily for favourite one, and MUST not be one outside of your local area. Should you get stopped by the Police and are found to be going to a venue outside of your locality, YOU risk being fined; YOU have been warned.