NO FISHING sign

A prominent EA notice in Ham car park on the Tidal Thames says NO FISHING, Close Season 15 March to 15 June. Under the Fisheries Act 1975 it is an offence to fish for freshwater fish AND EELS from March 15th to June 15th. Maximum penalty ?2,500. EA Frimley.

Are they right about eels? and what about trout? and sea fish?

The close season you describe is for coarse fish so that includes eels I believe.

I don't know what the game fishing season is as I currently have no need to know.

Half an answer for you there.

Years ago you could fish for Eels during the close season as long as you used worms and a certain minnimum size hook. The problem is people used this excuse when fishing for the coarse fish stocks. Most rivers now do not allow any bait to be used during the close season even if fishing for game fish.

Brown Trout season mid March - mid October
Salmon varies on diffrent rivers

always best to check the EA site. There are variations in some areas.

damned good idea considering the filthy londoners habits of eating eels give em special protection in london.

sorry that should have read londoners filthy habit of eating eels.

Thames byelaws state:

Eels - There is no close season on those waters where a statutary close season for freshwater fish has been dispensed with.

&

There is no close season when fishing for eels with rod and line in the tidal River Thames downstream of the Thames Barrier.



There now, that's clear enough.

In other words, no you can't fish for eels in the River Thames bit you mention. As for Trout, providing the stretch has a history of producing trout that you can fish for them from 1st April using flies on fly fishing gear or small suitable spinners.

I know the notice you're speaking of, I have some here, and they are a little misleading regarding the trout fishing. If you have a salmon licence you can fish for them with big flies and BIG spinners and spoons.