2026 fishing rules
Minimum sizes, bag limits and closed seasons, as the app carries them for 2026. Sea angling first, then the freshwater rules for Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Headlines, not exhaustive byelaws. Specific rivers, loughs and fisheries can be stricter, and byelaws change. Verify with the named authority before you fish, and read the note on each species in the app.
Sea angling 2026
England and Wales inshore waters. Check local IFCA bylaws for additional restrictions.
| Species | Minimum size | Bag limit | Closed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Bass | 42 cm | 3 per day | Feb, Mar | Recovering |
| Pollock | 30 cm | 3 per day | Open all year | Newly Regulated |
| Cod | 35 cm | 5 per day | Open all year | Monitored |
| Bluefin Tuna | See note | 0 per day | Open all year | Permit Only |
| Lobster | 8.8 cm carapace | 5 per day | Open all year | Size Change |
- European Bass: Increased from 2 to 3 fish per day in 2026 UK-EU deal. Feb & March are strictly Catch & Release. Reportable under the EU/UK regime.
- Pollock: New mandatory bag limit introduced for 2026 (English Channel & Celtic Seas). Effective June 2026. Reportable under the EU/UK regime.
- Cod: Strict quotas in place. Check local IFCA bylaws for additional restrictions in your area. Reportable under the EU/UK regime.
- Bluefin Tuna: Catch & Release only. MMO mandatory welfare training and permit required for 2026 season. Reportable under the EU/UK regime.
- Lobster: Minimum carapace size increased to 88mm from March 2026. Phasing to 90mm by 2028.
Ireland freshwater 2026
Inland Fisheries Ireland. Inland Fisheries Ireland
| Species | Minimum size | Bag limit | Closed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout | 25 cm | 4 per day | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb | Wild Fishery |
| Atlantic Salmon | 50 cm | Varies | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb | Permit + Tags |
| Sea Trout | 25 cm | Varies | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb | Permit Required |
| Pike | See note | Varies | Open all year | Strict Welfare |
- Brown Trout: No state licence required, but venue-specific rules apply. Default brown trout season is 15 Feb to 30 Sep - but Sheelin, Corrib, Mask, Carra, and many lake fisheries set their own seasons and size limits. Catch-and-release encouraged on wild fisheries.
- Atlantic Salmon: State licence + gill tags required from IFI. Each river has its own opening date and quota; many rivers are catch-and-release-only or have very limited retention. Verify the specific river/season before purchasing tags.
- Sea Trout: Same state licence covers salmon and sea trout. Specific bag limits and minimum sizes vary by fishery - many rivers are C&R only for sea trout under 40cm. Verify with IFI for the specific catchment.
- Pike: No state licence required. Welfare rules are taken seriously: unhooking mat mandatory on most waters, wet hands, no gaffs, long forceps, and support fish in the water during release. Many big-pike waters expect catch-and-release.
Inland Fisheries Ireland carries the byelaws for each catchment, and salmon tags come from the IFI store.
Northern Ireland freshwater 2026
DAERA. Rod licence plus a waters permit.
| Species | Minimum size | Bag limit | Closed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout | 25 cm | 4 per day | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb | Licence + Permit |
| Atlantic Salmon | 50 cm | Varies | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb | Permit + Tags |
| Sea Trout | 25 cm | Varies | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb | Permit Required |
| Pike | See note | Varies | Open all year | Welfare Critical |
- Brown Trout: DAERA rod licence required + a fishery / waters permit. Default season 1 March – 31 October. Lough Neagh produces dollaghan (a migratory brown trout strain) with autumn river runs.
- Atlantic Salmon: DAERA rod licence + waters permit + carcass tags. Most NI rivers operate strict catch-and-release for salmon. Verify season, tags and quotas with DAERA before fishing.
- Sea Trout: DAERA rod licence + waters permit. Specific bag limits vary by catchment. Strong C&R culture for larger sea trout.
- Pike: DAERA rod licence required. Welfare expectations on Lough Neagh, Erne, and the cross-border systems are strict - mandatory unhooking mat, wet hands, no gaff, support during release.
The app carries these live
The same rulebook sits in the app, per region, and updates from the authority sources rather than waiting for an app release. Check a species before you keep it, and the close season before you plan the trip.
The licence side is here.
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