Fishing will be allowed during the national lockdown, the Government has confirmed.
Rural campaigning organisation the Countryside Alliance issued a statement earlier this week saying that angling was not a permitted form of exercise under the lockdown.
However it has now been confirmed that fishing is allowed as exercise.
The guidance states it is allowed ‘so long as participants adhere to the rules on staying local, gathering limits, social distancing and limiting the time spent outdoors’.
Defra said: “The Cabinet Office has now officially confirmed that angling/fishing (including sea fishing off private boats, water sports) can be considered exercise and are hence permitted.”
However, it only applies to local fishing – to remain within the law, follow the Government’s guidance, and only fish locally within the district where you live.
If you have no local fishing available then you will have to take your daily exercise in other ways.
Organised sporting gatherings are prohibited so no match fishing is allowed; the exercise is limited to once a day so no overnight fishing whatsoever.
Sam Carlisle, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, said: “ This in an excellent piece of news at an otherwise bleak time.
“The benefits of fishing for physical and mental health are well documented.”
