Children under 13 do not need a fishing rod licence in England and Wales. Children aged 13 to 16 need a licence but it is free. Both groups need to apply through the Environment Agency – the under-13 exemption means no registration is required; the free 13-16 licence requires a simple application.
This covers fishing in England and Wales only. Scotland and Northern Ireland operate differently.
[Image placeholder: A child aged around 8-10 fishing with a float rod on a pond, a fishing bag and net visible beside them, a calm summer day]
The Rules by Age Group
Under 13 years old (England and Wales): No rod licence is required. Children under 13 can fish legally without any registration, application, or paperwork. They do still need to comply with all other fishing rules – fishing within the close season, on waters where they have the relevant permission or ticket, with legal methods.
13 to 16 years old (England and Wales): A rod licence is required but it costs nothing. The free junior licence is issued by the Environment Agency. It must be applied for online at gov.uk before fishing – it is not automatically issued and cannot be used if it has not been obtained. The junior licence is valid for twelve months from the date of issue.
17 and over: A standard adult rod licence applies. The adult 1-day, 8-day, and annual licences are available and must be purchased before fishing. The annual licence categories are trout and coarse fishing (covers most freshwater species) and the salmon and sea trout upgrade for migratory species.
How to Get a Free Junior Fishing Licence
- Go to gov.uk/fishing-licences (the Environment Agency’s official licence page)
- Select “Free junior” licence
- Enter the young person’s date of birth (to confirm they are between 13 and 16)
- Enter a contact email address and complete the application
- Print or save the licence confirmation
The licence is valid immediately once issued. There is no physical card – the digital confirmation is sufficient, but keeping a copy (screenshot or printout) to show on the bank is sensible in case of a check by a Fishing Enforcement Officer.
Does the Licence Go in the Child’s Name?
Yes. The rod licence must be in the name of the person doing the fishing. A parent cannot hold a licence that covers a child’s fishing. If you are fishing with your child, you hold your own licence and they hold theirs (free, in their name, for a 13-16 year old).
Do Children Need a Day Ticket as Well?
A rod licence and a day ticket (or fishery permission) are separate things. The rod licence is the legal right to fish in England and Wales. The day ticket or membership gives you the permission of the fishery owner to fish their specific water.
Both are required for most fishing: – A 13-year-old fishing a day ticket lake needs both their free rod licence AND the fishery’s day ticket – An under-13 needs no rod licence but still needs the fishery’s permission (day ticket or club membership) – Free fishing venues (some EA-managed rivers, some canal stretches via CaRT) may not require a separate day ticket, but the rod licence rules still apply
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland: There is no national rod licence requirement for freshwater fishing in Scotland. Children (and adults) do not need an Environment Agency licence to fish in Scotland. They do need the landowner’s permission, which is typically obtained by purchasing a day ticket or joining a club. The lack of a national licence does not mean fishing is unrestricted – all other rules (close seasons, size limits, catch limits) apply in full.
Northern Ireland: A rod licence is required in Northern Ireland. Children’s rates and concessionary rates apply; current details are available from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) or the Loughs Agency for waters they manage.
Wales: Wales uses the same Environment Agency rod licence as England – the same rules on age apply.
Close Season and Other Rules for Young Anglers
A rod licence (or the under-13 exemption) does not remove the obligation to comply with fishing regulations. Young anglers must observe:
- Coarse fish close season: 15 March to 15 June on rivers in England and Wales. This applies regardless of age.
- Minimum sizes: Species-specific minimum sizes for retained fish apply to all anglers.
- Fishery rules: Rules around landing nets, keepnets, barbed or barbless hooks, and bag limits set by individual fisheries apply to all anglers regardless of age.
- Designated no-fishing areas: Spawning exclusion zones and no-fishing stretches apply equally to all anglers.
Taking Children Fishing: Practical Notes
If you are taking a child fishing for the first time:
- Check the fishery’s rules on whether an accompanying adult is required for young children – some fisheries require under-14s to be accompanied by an adult
- A free day-ticket venue or club lake with good facilities (toilets, parking, easy bank access) is a better first trip than a complex river venue
- Float fishing for small fish (roach, rudd, perch) is more engaging for children than waiting for bites on a feeder or ledger
- Short sessions (2-3 hours) are better than full days until the child is enthusiastic and engaged
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children under 13 need any paperwork to go fishing?
No. Children under 13 in England and Wales are exempt from the rod licence requirement. No application, registration, or paperwork is needed. The child must still have permission to fish the water they are using (a day ticket or membership), and all other rules (close season, minimum sizes, fishery rules) apply.
Where do I get a free fishing licence for my 14-year-old?
Apply at gov.uk/fishing-licences and select the free junior licence option. You will need to confirm the date of birth and provide an email address. The licence is issued digitally and is valid immediately.
My child is 12 – can they fish alongside me without a licence?
Yes. In England and Wales, no rod licence is needed for children under 13. Your child can fish legally alongside you. You hold your own licence; they need no documentation. Both of you still need to comply with fishery rules and the close season.
Does a 16-year-old need to buy a fishing licence?
A 16-year-old needs a rod licence but it is free – issued as a junior licence by the Environment Agency. Apply at gov.uk/fishing-licences before fishing. At 17, the standard adult licence rates apply.
Can a child get a fine for not having a licence?
The rod licence exemption for under-13s means they cannot be fined for fishing without a licence. A 13-16 year old fishing without their (free) junior licence is technically in breach of the rod licence requirement. Enforcement is rare for young anglers in non-contentious situations, but obtaining the free licence takes five minutes and removes any risk.