Paul the Pike

When You Catch

UK pike fishing is catch and release unless the law and the owner both say otherwise. Plan the unhooking before you lift him. Net him, onto a wet unhooking mat, on his back or side, wet hands.

The law

You need an Environment Agency rod licence (trout and coarse) if you’re 13 or over in England and Wales — even if every fish goes back. On rivers, streams and drains you may take at most one pike per day, and it must be 65 cm or under. Anything over 65 cm goes back. That’s national byelaw, not a club suggestion. GOV.UK freshwater byelaws.

On stillwaters and canals you need the owner’s permission to remove any fish. Most UK pike waters are catch and release for all sizes. The ticket beats your appetite. Rivers close 15 March to 15 June inclusive — no fishing for him on running water in that window (Broads and some SSSIs too).

If you are putting him back — which is almost always

Long forceps. Wire gives you a chance. If he’s deep, don’t rummage. Support the body. Never lift a big pike by the gill rakers or hang him vertically for a photo. Hold him upright in the water until he kicks off on his own. In cold water that can take a minute. Don’t chuck him.

If you keep one — only a river jack, only under 65 cm

Only where the byelaw and the owner allow it. A big female is the future of the water — she goes back. If you keep a small jack, a priest, quickly. Not a slow bucket. Then eat him. Don’t kill him for a picture.