Meanwhile, tackle shops are preparing to welcome customers inside again, with safety measures, from June 15… the day before the new coarse river fishing season in England and Wales. Many are already trading again via click-and-collect, delivery or phone orders.
The Environment Agency say they have seen a boom in rod licence sales since angling was allowed again.
EA officials are still collating sales figures for the 2020 licence but predict a huge surge in England for May.
An EA spokesperson said: “We can confirm that there has been an increase in the sales of rod licences but we are unable to provide exact figures just yet.
“While we welcome the lifting of restrictions on recreational fishing and have seen an increase in rod licence applications since this was announced, it is vital that everyone stays alert and follows the social distancing rules.
“It is imperative to anglers follow the government guidance in place, limiting contact with other people and maintain a distance of two metres from other anglers at all times.”