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National salmon and sea trout byelaws

Spring salmon byelaws

Early season catch and release for salmon with rod and line: any angler who catches a salmon before the 16th June in any calendar year, must return the fish immediately to the water with the least possible injury.

Early season method restriction for salmon with rod and line: any angler fishing for salmon may only use artificial fly or artificial lure before 16th June in any calendar year.

These byelaws were introduced in 1999, together with byelaws restricting net fisheries, as part of a package of measures to protect the future of salmon stocks. In 2009, we renewed them for a further 10 years.

A copy of the byelaw can be downloaded here

National byelaw - Spring Salmon (PDF, 25KB)

Ban on sale of rod-caught salmon and sea trout

It is an offence to sell, exchange or barter rod-caught salmon and sea trout in England and Wales.

A copy of the byelaw can be downloaded here

National byelaw - ban on sale (PDF, 17KB)

Carcass tagging and recording of net caught salmon and sea trout

Any salmon and sea trout caught by means other than rod and line (ie. by licensed net or trap) must be tagged with a uniquely numbered Environment Agency carcass tag. This must be attached immediately after capture and remain attached until the fish is processed. Details of the fish and the tag reference numbers must be recorded in an annual log-book (supplied) and returned to the Environment Agency at the end of the year.

A copy of the byelaw can be downloaded here

National byelaw - carcass tagging and log book (PDF, 28KB)

Catch and release leaflet

This leaflet describes the benefits of releasing salmon and sea trout after capture, and advises on the best ways to do it.

A copy of this leaflet can be downloaded here

Catch and release leaflet (PDF, 366KB)

Catch and release leaflet bilingual version (PDF,733KB)

Buyer Beware new legislation for Salmon and Sea Trout

New laws have been brought in that stop anglers selling rod-caught salmon and sea trout and require net fishers to attach a carcass tag to each fish they catch.

Salmon remain depleted in many rivers and we have growing concerns over the status of sea trout. We want to see more salmon and sea trout in more rivers.

By removing the market for rod-caught fish we have closed a loophole exploited by poachers to dispose of illegally caught fish and will discourage a small minority of anglers from catching large numbers of fish for sale.

Salmon net fisheries open on 1st June and the annual mandatory catch and release period for rod caught salmon ends on the 16th June. 

Fishmongers and anyone else dealing in wild salmon or sea trout must also make sure they not buy or sell rod caught or illegally caught fish.

A copy of this leaflet can be downloaded here

Buyer Beware (PDF, 372KB)

Buyer Beware bilingual version (PDF, 831KB)