Take a Friend Fishing with a FREE 1-Day Fishing Licence

This entry was posted on 29th March, 2023

Get together with a friend or family member this Spring to go on a fishing trip and start a new hobby. It's the ideal way to relax and enjoy nature and the great outdoors together.

Do you have a friend that is curious about fishing but hesitant to try it out? Look no further than Take a Friend Fishing 2023! With bigger campaigns, more weekends, and more chances to cast your line and create lasting memories, it's the perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors with your friends! Don't miss out on angling adventures like no other! Read on to discover more details about Take A Friend Fishing.

What is Take A Friend Fishing?

Take a Friend Fishing opens up the world of angling to people from all age groups and communities, giving the opportunity for anglers and non-anglers alike, at all levels of ability, the chance to get into fishing or back into fishing after time away.

Relaunched in 2020, Take A Friend Fishing has since had over 9,000 participants. This partnership initiative is designed to give more people the chance to get into fishing. With Take A Friend Fishing, anglers can show people that it is easy to get into angling, especially with a friend to show you how, and a free one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency usually worth £6.60 (…and £12.60 for salmon and sea trout when allowed!)

The 2023 campaign aims to get even more people back out by the waterside. This fishing programme, supported by the Angling Trades Association and Environment Agency, allows unlicensed individuals to fish for a day with a licensed angler. It's the perfect way to learn new skills and make lasting memories with friends and family. You could give it a try and discover a new hobby today!

Reasons to Take A Friend Fishing

1. Outdoor Exploration
2. Escape modern life & stress
3. Build friendships & social bonding
4. Create lasting memories
5. Enjoy some time next to the water
6. Fishing is the ultimate relaxation
7. Perfect fit for staying active outdoors.
8. Vital role in both our physical health and mental wellbeing
9. Skill development
10. Environmental awareness

Fishing & Mental Health

With the pressures of modern life, physical health and mental well-being are more important than ever. The experience of a fishing trip together with a work colleague, family member, partner or just a mate, offers the ideal opportunity to unwind and recharge your battery, whilst being active at the same time.

How To Get A Free Fishing Licence

Visit www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk to register for an EA official FREE one-day fishing licence.
Have your fishing licence and friends' information to hand to complete the form!
Answer the questions about your licence
Select which type of fishing licence you would like - Trout and Coarse or Salmon and Sea Trout
Be sure to add the exact date of your fishing trip with your friend
Fill in details about yourself (the licenced angler) and your unlicenced friend.
Upload evidence of your valid fishing licence.
Submit!
The free fishing licence will be sent with a confirmation email.

*Disclaimer: You will need 1 valid fishing licence between yourself and your friend to show evidence to apply for a 1-day free fishing licence with Take A Friend Fishing. Also, please remember to have both people’s email addresses plus a few other details handy when you pre-register to Take a Friend Fishing.

Fishing Licence Check

You’ll receive an email with your free licence for yourself or your unlicenced friend. You need to bring a copy with you on your phone or printed so that you can show it to any Environment Agency Officer, Fishery Owner or Club/Syndicate Bailiff if requested.

You’ll also both be asked for Identification and the full licence holder will need to show their in-date licence.

Where Can I Take A Friend Fishing?

There are many fisheries near where you live that are perfect to visit for a catch-up with a friend during a quick fishing trip together. During the closed season for coarse fish (until 16th June) you cannot fish for coarse fish from riverbanks, however, day ticket fisheries, lakes and canals are open all over the country to fish.

If you need some inspiration, check out our fishing location guides.

When can I take a Friend Fishing?

Take a Friend Fishing is a fishing initiative that offers more opportunities than ever to get out fishing with a friend! For 2023, you can Take A Friend fishing and introduce them to all things angling during AT’s extended Easter and summer campaigns.

You can unwind, interact with friends and head to the bankside during half terms, national holidays, and family holidays. If you want to make the most of the Take A Friend fishing events, be sure to make a note of when and where there are happening in 2023. Below is a list of dates to note in your fishing diary!

Take a Friend Fishing Dates:

Take a Friend Fishing Easter: Saturday, April 1st - Sunday April 16th 2023.
Take a Friend Fishing (National Fishing Month): Saturday 29th July - Sunday 3rd September 2023

Take a Friend Fishing This Easter

To access the Take a Friend Fishing initiative during the Easter break between Saturday 1st of April and Sunday 16th of April (inclusive), existing fishing licence holders can register for a FREE one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency and take someone they know fishing.

Get Involved with Angling This Summer

Can’t make Easter work? We get it. That is why you can also take part in the Take A Friend Fishing initiative during the summer holidays, between Saturday 29th of July and Sunday 3rd of September (inclusive). Like during Easter, existing fishing licence holders can register for a FREE one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency.

Getting outside in the countryside is a great way to be together with family and friends and angling is the perfect fit for staying active outdoors, especially if you are staying in England or Wales over Easter or the Summer Holidays.

Registering for a free one-day fishing licence couldn’t be easier. So sign your friend up for a day of fishing today, then sit back, relax and engage with nature. Fishing is a rewarding experience, especially with a friend. Who will you be taking with you for Take A Friend Fishing?

Let us know via social media with #AnglingDirect and #takeafriendfishing.

Additional Notes:

You will normally need a valid Environment Agency fishing licence if you are aged 13 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England (except the River Tweed), Wales, and the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland.
An annual fishing licence only costs £33.00 for up to 2 rods to fish for coarse fish & trout. For a salmon and sea trout licence, it’s £86.10.
Licences are free for juniors aged 13 to 16 years of age.
Concessionary, short term and three-rod coarse fishing licences are also available.

Find all the information about applying for fishing licences in our Fishing Licence Guide.