Join in with the Check, Clean, Dry campaign this heatwave weekend!

Check, Clean, Dry – Help stop the spread of invasive plants and animals in our waters!
Invasive plants and animals from all over the world have been introduced accidentally to British waters. Over fifty different freshwater species have already been found in our lakes, rivers and other waterways, and the numbers of new arrivals is increasing rapidly.

Invasive plants and animals cause serious environmental problems that can be irreversible, can carry diseases that kill fish, block waterways, and overgrow banks interfering with fishing, and can interfere with the activities you enjoy by clogging propellers, damaging boats, blocking up waterways making it hard to fish or use for paddling, and increasing the risk of flooding. They can be small and hard to spot so are easily spread on damp equipment and clothing. Once established they become extremely difficult and expensive to eradicate, which is why it is so important to prevent their spread in the first place. You can help to protect the environment and activities you enjoy by keeping your kit free of invasive plants and animals.

Read about plants and animals to look out for.

Guidance for anglers to protect the environment and fishing you enjoy by keeping your kit free of invasive plants and animals.

It’s easy! Whenever you leave the water, remember to Check Clean Dry…

• Check
  Check your gear after leaving the water for mud, aquatic animals or plant material. Remove anything you find and leave it at the site.  Pay special attention to your rods, nets, boots, and other equipment and focus on spotting for mud, plants, or small organisms.
• Clean
  Clean everything thoroughly as soon as you can, paying attention to nets, waders, and areas that are damp and hard to access. Use hot water if possible and a touch of eco-friendly disinfectant helps, if available!
• Dry
  Dry everything for as long as possible before using elsewhere as some invasive plants and animals can survive for two weeks in damp conditions. Dry it all in the sun if possible – this saves energy too and warm weather will speed things up!

Why Invasive Species are damaging England’s waterways…

1. Ravage Fish Stocks: Invasive non-native species (INNS) can decimate fish populations by preying on them or competing for food and habitat, reducing the number of fish available for anglers.

2. Outcompete Native Species: INNS, like topmouth gudgeon, can dominate native fish by taking over resources, leading to fewer native species like roach or crucian carp in our waters.

3. Ruin Fishing Locations: Species like floating pennywort form dense mats that block access to waterways, making it tough for anglers to fish and enjoy rivers, lakes, and canals.

4. Spread Diseases: Invaders such as signal crayfish carry crayfish plague, which can survive on damp gear for up to 10 days and is deadly to native crayfish, impacting the ecosystem anglers rely on.

5. Costly Damage: INNS, like killer shrimp and water primrose, cost the British economy millions annually, including impacts on angling through reduced fishing opportunities and habitat degradation. These invaders can harm fish populations and disrupt the ecosystems that we love to fish in. By checking, cleaning, and drying your gear, you’re helping keep our waterways healthy. Learn more about the campaign here.

Happy fishing and happy cleaning
The Get Fishing Team

Want to learn how to fish, or introduce a family member or friend, or simply get back into the fishing you sed to love? There are hundreds of have-a-go sessions on our website and social media, and at the moment, during our popular Spring into Fishing programme, new ones are added every single day! So please check our Get Fishing events diary for new events near to you.

The Get Fishing campaign is funded by

The Angling Trust’s Get Fishing campaign to get more people fishing more often is funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Angling Trust, and Sport England. Children under 13 do not need a licence, and licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free but you still need to register and receive a licence before you go fishing. You can get a licence for the full year, for 8 days (ideal for holidays!) or just a day’s fishing.

NOTE: Although young children who are under 13 year old do not need a licence to fish, the person supervising them needs to have the proper fishing licence before they take hold of the fishing rod or help the child fish with it.

Get Fishing is Proudly Supported by

The Angling Trust’s ‘Get Fishing’ campaign is proudly supported by
Shakespeare, Exclusive Tackle Partner and Angling Direct, Exclusive Retail Partner
as we all work towards getting more people fishing, more often.

If there’s something that you cannot find here to help you start fishing or return to angling, please contact your local Regional Angling Development Officer – you can find the nearest one to where you want to go fishing here.