Photo : mattbuck (category), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cymru
Nation, United Kingdom. Authority : Natural Resources Wales / Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- £93.10Salmon and sea trout – 12 month
- Next closing
- 30 Sept 2026Brown trout – West Wales district rivers
- Minimum sizes
- 23 cmSea trout
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Responsible gearBacklit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kgTo check the minimum size: Brown trout 23 cm here.
€32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Camouflage Nylon Line, Light Blue, 1,000 mFor : roach, common bream, common carp · float fishing (waggler and stick float)
€30.90£14.90Not shipped to the United States
Responsible gearSingle-Hook Casting Spoons 26 g, Pack of 5For : brown trout, rainbow trout, european perch · spoon and spinner fishing
€23.90£12.90Not shipped to the United States
2026 season calendar
Shrimp/prawn only from 1 September; spinning on Dee and Wye from 1 June only.
1 April on Aeron, Nevern, Rheidol, Taf, Teifi, Tywi, Ystwyth ; C&R of all sea trout before 1 May on 22 listed rivers.
3 March–30 September on River Teifi upstream and other reaches; 18 March–7 October Upper Severn; no close season on fully enclosed stillwaters.
No close season on stillwaters; Upper Severn 18 March–7 October.
No close season in stillwaters/canals (SSSI exceptions).
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–60 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Sea trout3 21 cm in Gwynedd District; all sea trout > 60 cm must be released | 23 cm | |
| Brown trout3 21 cm Gwynedd; 15 cm upper reaches Severn/Vyrnwy/Banwy/Tanat; 20 cm other Upper Severn | 23 cm |
To check the minimum size: Brown trout 23 cm here. Backlit Digital Hanging Scale 50 kg €32.90£28.90Not shipped to the United States
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Salmon3 All salmon must be returned (all rivers, rod and net) | 0 per day |
| Pike3 rivers, up to 65 cm | 1 per day |
| Grayling3 30 to 38 cm | 2 per day |
| Small native coarse fish3 up to 20 cm | 15 per day |
| Eels, twaite and allis shad3 removal prohibited | 0 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Rod fishing licence (Environment Agency licence, valid in England and Wales)1 NRW renvoie vers GOV.UK pour l'achat et les prix ; mêmes tarifs que l'Angleterre. | 12 months (trout & coarse, 2 rods) | £36.80 |
| Trout and coarse – 2 rods – 1 day7 | 1-day | £7.30 |
| Trout and coarse – 2 rods – 8 day7 | 8-day | £14.70 |
| Trout and coarse – 2 rods – 12 month7 | 12-month | £36.80 |
| Trout and coarse – 3 rods – 12 month7 | 12-month | £55.30 |
| Salmon and sea trout – 1 day7 | 1-day | £13.50 |
| Salmon and sea trout – 8 day7 | 8-day | £30.50 |
| Salmon and sea trout – 12 month7 | 12-month | £93.10 |
| Trout and coarse 2 rods – 12 month – aged 66+ or disabled7 | 12-month | £24.50 |
| Trout and coarse 3 rods – 12 month – aged 66+ or disabled7 | 12-month | £36.80 |
| Salmon and sea trout – 12 month – aged 66+ or disabled7 | 12-month | £62 |
| Junior licence (13 to 16)7 | 12-month | £0 |
- Ages and exemptions1
- Licence needed if aged 13 or over (salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt, eel). Fine up to £2,500 if no licence carried.
Good to know
Catch and release obligatoire pour TOUS les saumons au pays de Galles. Hameçons sans ardillon (barbless/de-barbed) obligatoires pour saumon et truite de mer ; appâts crustacés (crayfish) et œufs de poisson interdits. Byelaws transfrontaliers Dee et Wye 2017 ; River Severn Emergency Byelaws 2021. Pas de taille minimale pour la truite arc-en-ciel.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- dates d'effet des tarifs non affichées (mêmes remarques que l'Angleterre)
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Cymru in 2026?
The “Salmon and sea trout – 12 month” licence costs £93.10 (12-month). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
When does the atlantic salmon season open in Cymru?
Atlantic salmon: 3 Mar → 17 Oct, according to the official calendar above.
What is the minimum size for brown trout in Cymru?
Brown trout: 23 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- NRW – Buy a fishing rod licence (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NRW – Angling byelaws (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NRW – Minimum fish size and catch limits (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NRW – Salmon open seasons (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NRW – Sea trout open seasons (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- NRW – Non-migratory trout, charr, coarse fish and eels open seasons (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- GOV.UK – Buy a fishing licence (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked : 23 September 2026.