Angler handed £400 fine after being caught fishing illegally in Yorkshire canal

Ian Brian, of Rotherham, was proved guilty in his absence of fishing without a licence on 17 April 2022 at Stainforth and Keadby Canal, Crowle, South Yorkshire, in a case brought by the Environment Agency at Northampton Magistrates Court.

The 41-year-old was ordered to pay a total penalty of £389, including a fine of £220, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34. An annual fishing licence currently costs just £30.

Following the verdict, Lee Watts, Fisheries Enforcement Officer for the Environment Agency in the East Midlands, said: “Ian Brian has been rightly punished for fishing illegally. The case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and serves as a reminder to anglers of the importance of having a rod licence before they go fishing. We hope it will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing illegally.

“All of the money raised from rod licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries for the benefit of anglers. For those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.”

Every year across the country, thousands of anglers are prosecuted for not having a fishing licence. As well as cheating other anglers, fishing illegally can carry a hefty penalty. Getting caught without a licence could land a fine of up to £2,500.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.