The 2012 fishing season kicked off on 10 March with the opening of the reservoir season and also the newly introduced coarse fish season.  New Regulations relating to freshwater fishing were approved by Tynwald in December 2011 and these came into operation on 10 March.

The Department of Environment Food and Agriculture would like to remind anglers that they must purchase their 2012 fishing licence before they go fishing for the first time and at the same time they should make sure they have read and understood the new Regulations, which include several important changes to freshwater fishing methods and techniques. 

Mrs Kate Beecroft MHK, member for Fisheries said “The new Regulations reflect the outcome of an extensive consultation process and I hope that all anglers will be pleased with the changes.  In particular, coarse fish anglers can now purchase a specific coarse fish licence for an annual fee of £10 and there is a separate coarse fishing season.  Previously coarse anglers had to purchase an Other Waters licence and were restricted to fishing within a season designed for the protection of salmon and trout.”

Fishing licences are available to purchase from Post Offices and all licences with the exception of Concessionary Reservoir Licences can be purchased quickly and easily online using Government Online Services (www.gov.im\onlineservices).

Full details of the new Regulations and a new Code of Conduct for fishing in rivers, stillwaters and reservoirs can be found on the Inland Fisheries section of the DEFA web site or from the Fisheries Directorate by telephoning 01624 685857.  The Inland Fisheries newsletter, Tales from the Riverbank can be downloaded from the website and contains a wealth of articles on the work of the Directorate and useful information on fishing opportunities in the Island.