Water safety tips for anglers
The following tips will help you to prepare for safe and enjoyable fishing.
Don’t take risks
- when fishing from a slippery bank or near deep and fast flowing water - don’t take risks near the water
- check the weather forecast for changing conditions which affect the water you are fishing
- wear the right safety gear – always wear a life jacket
- notice and avoid contact with overhead power lines
- tell someone where you are going to fish and what time you expect to return home
- don’t walk on ice covered water
Find out more about water safety advice from the Royal Life Saving Society UK, including emergency services:
Fishing safety advice from NIE Networks
Anglers can put themselves in danger by fishing too close to overhead power lines.
By following a few important safety steps anglers can avoid injury. Find out more on the Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) website:
Angling events
If you are a competitor or spectator at angling events, always pay attention to safety notices and warnings about waterways.
Tips for being on or near waterways
Even if a right of way exists beside a river, lake or canal - this does not always give you the right to fish. Find out more on the following page under the heading ‘Tips for being on or near waterways’:
The dangers of rat urine
Anglers should also be aware of the dangers of Leptospirosis which is transmitted through contact with rat urine in the water or on the riverside.