Fishing properties for sale

In England and Wales, you need a rod fishing licence if you are fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt, or eel with a rod and line, even if the water is on your private land. You’ll also need a licence for all freshwater fishing, so in rivers, ponds, canals and lakes, even if you own the land the water sits on.

In some circumstances, even if you own the land, another party can hold the fishing rights, in which case you must get their permission. In Scotland, no rod licence is needed for freshwater swimming, but you need permission from the landowner or fishing rights holder. You also need to follow all national and local rod fishing byelaws. 

For sea fishing, no licence is required, but you must follow local byelaws, and if you are fishing for salmon or sea trout, you will need a rod licence.

If water runs on, under or alongside land you own, you are considered a riparian owner, and have strict regulations and responsibilities you must follow, regarding water quality, flood risk, and environmental protection.

• You must let the water flow naturally and remove any debris that causes flooding.
• You must not allow chemicals, waste, or soil run‑off to enter the water to prevent pollution.
• You must maintain the banks and beds on your property and keep them clear of obstructions.
• Structural alterations to the watercourse require approval from the Environment Agency or the local drainage authority.
• You may need to obtain permission for any works in or near the water if they impact protected wildlife habitats, species, or special areas of conservation.

If you fail to comply with regulations, you may face fines or legal liability for downstream damage caused by actions on your property.

Fishing properties are more of a stable, long-term residential investment than a fast, high-yield commercial investment. Residential properties with river banks or private lakes usually command a higher premium, due to their rarity and high demand, offering long-term capital growth. If you decide to turn your property into a holiday rental, that is generally more profitable than relying solely on day-ticket fishing revenue. For farmers and landowners, adding fishing rights to a property can be a great form of diversification and add an extra income stream.

Maintaining a fishing property can be costly due to environmental risks, which push up insurance premiums, and investment is needed for environmental, security, and infrastructure upkeep.