The river close season
GOV.UK says you cannot fish for coarse fish and eels on rivers from 15 March to 15 June. Some areas allow eel fishing, so check the local byelaws before you assume.
What stays open
Most enclosed stillwaters and canals allow coarse fish, eels, rainbow trout and brown trout all year. That is why carp fishing carries on through spring. Private waters can set their own close seasons, so always read the water's own rules. Our winter carp fishing guide covers the cold end of the year.
Game fishing
Salmon and trout can still be fished for during the coarse close season, but bait and lure rules vary by region. In the Midlands, Yorkshire and the north of England the rules allow natural or artificial fly, minnow, worm and similar baits. In south-east England it is artificial fly only. In Wales and the south-west, follow the local byelaws. Close seasons for salmon and trout on rivers are set locally, not nationally.
When the fish move
Salmon return to rivers between November and February and can leap over 3 m at weirs (source). Mackerel move inshore in spring and summer (source). Cod can live for up to 25 years, and small cod eat crustaceans while large cod eat mainly fish (source).
Before you go
Buy a rod licence first; the fishing licence guide explains the types. Then check the byelaws and the water's rules. To know what you might catch, see the freshwater fish identification guide.
Keep the season on the wall
A fish caught in season deserves a proper picture. Photograph your catch carefully, then print the photo.
Craig Fearn runs Scale & Fin, a UK studio that prints anglers' catch photos and fish art to order. He writes the guides here, and every fact in them links to the body that published it.