Fishing on the canal is on a catch and release basis only.
All anglers on the canal are required to have an Environment Agency rod licence and a fishing permit issued by the Basingstoke Canal Authority. It is an offence to fish without both of these. Licences will be available from the Hants.Gov.uk website from 15 June 2025.
Fishing is allowed from the towpath side only and by rod and line (two rods maximum.)
No fishing from any floating craft, public wharf or within 20 metres of any lock, bridge or aqueduct. Please ensure you take all fishing tackle and litter home.
The Canal is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and “close season” applies 15 March to 15 June where no fishing is permitted to allow fish spawning.
Angling in 2024-25
For the 2024-25 season the BCA will take on sole responsibility for the issuing of angling annual permits and day ticket sales on behalf of the Canal’s owners.
- All permits and day tickets will need to be purchased online via the BCA’s web shop, your permit or day ticket will be a unique to you in a digital format.
- Your acceptance of rules and terms of use and Canal Bylaws will be required during the purchase of your annual permit or day ticket.
- The BCA has published its own angling rules, these are closely aligned to those of the BCAA and Farnham Angling Association.
- The BCA staff (or volunteers) will undertake periodic permit checks on the bank.
- Match organisers will need to register any matches as an event and participants will need to hold an annual permit or valid day ticket.
