The Environment Agency unveils its new design for this year’s rod licences for the new fishing season which starts on 16/06/2016.

Designed by renowned angling and wildlife artist, David Miller, the new rod licences go on sale today. The image on this year’s non-migratory trout and coarse fishing rod licence is a chub (leuciscus cephalus). The salmon and sea trout licence is a salmon (salmo salar). David’s artwork has previously featured on a range of sustainable fish stamps for the Royal Mail.

John Cizdyn, Environment Agency Fisheries Officer, said: “All the money raised from rod licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries benefiting anglers. In Cumbria and Lancashire we’ve been able to work with young people, extending the Ribble Rivers Trust project ‘trout in the classroom’, where young people help improve habitats and learn how to fish. Another fantastic project is along the River Lune, where with the Lune River Trust we’re working to improve a spawning channel for coarse fish like bream, roach, tench, dace, rudd and pike.”

Sarah Chare, Head of Fisheries at the Environment Agency, goes on to say: “We’re encouraging more people than ever to give fishing a go and everyone who does so will need one of these new licences. We’re delighted to see David’s stunning designs which promote the beauty of our natural environment and encourage people to give fishing a go.”

David Miller, the artist who designed the new rod licences, said: “Designing this year’s rod licence combines two of my passions: fishing and art. The Environment Agency does a fantastic job and I’m proud to be supporting rod licence sales with my artwork.”

A rod licence is a legal requirement for fishing. At £27 for coarse fishing and non-migratory trout, or £72 to also fish for salmon and sea trout, the annual licence is great value for money. There are flexible options to choose from too: a 1 or 8 day licence or the full season. There are also junior and concession options.

You can renew and buy your rod licence online from the Post Office here, at your local Post Office or by phoning 0344 800 5386.

Renewing or buying a rod licence online from the Post Office website is easy, and saves both time and administration costs, meaning that more of the income can be spent on improving fish stocks and fishing. Always ensure that you buy direct from the Post Office because there are some unofficial websites which charge a handling fee.

Anyone fishing illegally is cheating other licence paying anglers, can expect to be prosecuted and face a substantial fine. In 2014-2015 the Environment Agency checked 70,000 rod licences and prosecuted more than 2,000 anglers for fishing without a licence resulting in more than £500,000 in fines and costs. In Cumbria and Lancashire we checked over 2,500 licences and reported 160 offences.

Rod licence prices and structure remain the same in 2016. Any proposed changes will come in from March 2017.

Thought the New Look licences were already out as of the 1st April 2016 ?

As you have to hold an Environment Agency rod license to be able to go fishing,if you are 12 years of age BEFORE the 1st April,and there is a Close Season which runs from 15th March to 16th June inclusive,which means that you cannot fish rivers,but you CAN fish on Canals,Reservoirs, lakes and ponds during the close season period.

But an E.A Rod license is issued,either online,or from any Post Office from 1st April to the 31st March inclusive.

jonnybgood is correct. The licence runs from 1st April until 31st March.

The clue is in the date printed on the sample licence you've displayed - it expires on 31st March 2017!

I guess that the mistake has arisen because, during the season, there is a 'close season' on certain waters (mainly rivers) from 15th March until 15th June to protect spawning fish.