Stoke angler fined £461 for illegal fishing

Kieran Hall, 29, of Saturn Road, Stoke, admitted the offences at Northampton magistrates on 1 August 2022.

He was fined £146 for fishing without a licence and a further £146 for failing to give his name and address when asked. He was also ordered to pay £135 costs and a £34 victim’s surcharge.

The offences took place on 12 March 2022 when Hall was fishing at Holden Lane Pool, Milton, near Hanley, Staffordshire.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

This case shows we will pursue offenders through the courts and won’t hesitate to take enforcement action where anglers break rules.

This offender did not have a valid licence, but he was also unhelpful when questioned by our officers.

We will not tolerate abusive behaviour towards our officers who routinely undertake licence checks, and we urge anyone with information about illegal fishing to contact us on 0800 807060.

Background information

All anglers need a valid Environment Agency rod licence.

The money raised through the sales of rod licences is re-invested back into the sport and illegal fishing undermines the Environment Agency’s efforts to make fishing sustainable.

Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

The Environment Agency carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by partners including the police and the Angling Trust.

Fisheries enforcement work is intelligence-led, targeting known hot-spots and where illegal fishing is reported.

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.

A 1 day licence costs from just £6 and an annual licence costs from just £30 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 to 16 year olds.

Licences are available to purchase online or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.