19/08/2026
We saw this question posted elsewhere and thought it an interesting question to ask our customers "Is it time to rethink the river closed season"?
This is one of those subjects that will probably divide opinion, but with the way our summers have been changing, it feels like a discussion worth having.
Traditionally, rivers close for coarse fishing from 15th March to 15th June to protect fish during the spawning period. But does that still make as much sense as it once did?
On rivers like the Wye, some of the winter months can be difficult or virtually unfishable because of high water, poor conditions and limited access to suitable stretches. Then, just as spring arrives and the river can often be in superb condition, the closed season begins.
Fast forward to recent summers and we are increasingly seeing very low water, prolonged heat and high water temperatures. At times like that, you could argue that fish may be under far greater stress from angling pressure than they would be during parts of the traditional closed season.
Stillwaters and canals no longer have a statutory closed season, so should rivers continue to be treated differently?
Would a more flexible system make sense? Perhaps closures based on local spawning conditions, water temperatures or individual rivers rather than one fixed national period?
Or is the traditional closed season still an important safeguard that should be left well alone?
We’re genuinely interested to hear what anglers think.
Keep it, change it, shorten it, move it... or scrap it altogether?
Let us know your thoughts — particularly if you fish the Wye regularly.
