Northumberland's rivers: The Tweed, the Tyne, the Till and the Coquet are some of the best salmon fishing rivers in the country and explain the ever growing interest being shown in the County by fishing enthusiasts. In addition, Kielder Water's reputation for first class still water fishing is growing so strongly that recently it was the venue for the National Fly Fishing Championships. And with some of the country's most beautiful scenery, for many people fishing in Northumberland provides the most enjoyable sport in England.

Rod Licenses

All fresh water fishing in England requires both a permit from the owner or manager of the water in question and an Environment Agency National Rod License. Licenses are available from Post Offices and tackle shops or on-line from the Environment Agency Fish-e Website. Licenses are available for 1 day, 8 days or 1 year (April 2002 - March 2003) and have two main categories: "All Fish (incl Salmon and Sea Trout)" and "Non-migratory Trout and Coarse Fish only". 2002 prices range from £2.50 for a 1 day coarse and non-migratory trout license to £60 for an annual (all fish) salmon fishing license. Further details may be obtained from the Environment Agency on +44 (0)191 203 4000 or the Fish-e Website. Please note that the Tweed and its tributaries (including the Till) are classed as Scottish rivers, for which a National Rod license is not required. Fishing is not permitted on Sundays on Scottish rivers.

River Fishing - Categories

There are three main categories of river fishing in Northumberland: Salmon and sea trout; Non-migratory trout; and coarse fishing. Click here to view a list of the main river fishing locations in Northumberland for visitors.

Salmon and Sea Trout 

Salmon and sea trout are the migratory fish of many coastal British, European, North American and North Atlantic countries returning, each year, mostly to the rivers and tributaries of their origin in order to spawn. Permits for salmon and sea trout are invariably more expensive, especially on the Tweed and the Till with their long uninterrupted history of fine fishing. There, fishing is usually from a boat and the hire arrangement is like to include the services of a gillie (or boatman) who can provide expert advice and tuition. Permits for the Coquet and Aln tend to be reasonably priced but the Tyne is establishing itself as the finest salmon river in England and Wales, after recovery from pollution and is becoming more expensive to fish and demand for fishing is still on the increase. The season for salmon on the English rivers is 1 February to 31 October but, a "catch and release" byelaw obliges the return of any salmon caught before 16 June. There is no "catch and release" for sea trout and the season is from 3 April to 31 October. With the Tweed and the Till subject to Scottish fisheries law, the salmon rod season is from 1 February to 30 November (except Sundays). There is no statutory "catch and release" on the Tweed and Till but a voluntary code requires the return of every other spring salmon caught by rod and line. The largest salmon are caught in the autumn and on the whole, the Tyne has the largest average weights for salmon.

Non-migratory trout

The two main non-migratory trout in Northumberland are brown trout (found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs) and rainbow trout (found only in lakes and reservoirs). The season for brown trout fishing is from 22 March to 30 September in England and 15 March to 6 October in Scotland but local byelaws there often impose a restricted season from 1 April to 30 September. Again, fishing on Sundays is not permitted on Scottish rivers (the Tweed and Till). Brown trout are much smaller than sea trout.  For some, though, the sport of catching trout in rivers is much more challenging than salmon. Typically, the average weight of a brown trout is 1lb, but exceptionally weights can reach up to 4lbs. Typically, the average brown trout will weigh 1/3lb but top weights can reach up to 4lbs. Trout may also be fished in still waters.

Coarse fish

Coarse fish are fished entirely for sport (non-edible fish) and are returned to the river, except for grayling, which is really a game fish. In Northumberland, coarse fishing is largely limited to the river Tyne although the Tweed (and its tributary the Till) and the Blyth are both noted for their fine grayling fishing. The common varieties of coarse fish in Northumberland are grayling, perch, pike, roach, dace, gudgeon and eels. The season for coarse fishing on Northumberland rivers is 16 June to 14 March (i.e. Close season 15 March - 15 June). Clubs controlling still waters and owners of still waters may dispense with the close season.