UK coasts (where legal) Fishing Guide
British sea fishing runs on marks and tides: bass from surf and estuary, cod in winter, pollack and coalfish over kelp, and conger from charter wrecks in the Channel. No licence is needed for sea angling in England, Scotland, or Wales — the rules that matter are bass size and bag limits and local bylaws.
15 species in our database list UK coasts (where legal) among their fisheries. Use the species list below to plan what to target, then open any profile for identification features, bait, and season.
How to use this page: pick a species, check its habitat and seasonal notes, and match your gear to the environment. Local regulations always apply — verify current rules with the responsible agency before fishing.
Saltwater species
- Basking Shark
- Blacktip Reef Shark
- Blacktip Shark
- Dusky Shark
- Grey Reef Shark
- Lemon Shark
- Nurse Shark
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark
- Reef Shark (Caribbean)
- Salmon Shark
- Sand Tiger Shark
- Sandbar Shark
- Sharksucker
- Silky Shark
- Spinner Shark
Licences & regulations — United Kingdom
- Sea angling from the shore or a boat needs no rod licence in England, Scotland, or Wales.
- Bass fishing is seasonal and slot-limited; obey national size and bag limits and local bylaws.
- Freshwater (rivers, canals, stillwaters) in England & Wales requires an Environment Agency rod licence.
Official sources: gov.uk/fishing-licences