Make an angling catch return
Rod licence holders legally need to make a catch return for salmon and sea trout. Catch returns for both game and coarse fish help to manage fish stocks and monitor fish health in local rivers and lakes. Your catch and release information helps with ongoing research into salmon stocks.
Before you start
Even if you have not caught any fish, you should make a nil catch return, including the date of fishing and the location. This information is equally important for rivers, loughs and lakes. If the rod licence was not used then no catch return is needed.
To fill in a catch return below, you will need your date of birth and your seven digit licence, endorsement or permit number.
If you have not fished at all this year, you do not need to fill in a catch return.
You can find out how any personal information you send to DAERA Inland Fisheries when using this service will be handled by viewing their privacy notice.
More information
Anglers who have bought a Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) rod licence to fish for salmon and sea trout must legally advise DAERA of any catches made throughout the year - and how many times they fished, even if no fish were caught.
All anglers, game and coarse are encouraged to send in a catch return to DAERA.
If you prefer to post the angling catch return form to DAERA Inland Fisheries fill in the form at the link below:
- Angling catch return form
- Accessibility statement for angling license, permit and enforcement system (LPE)