Recreational Fishing

Freshwater angling

Visit our Freshwater Fishing page for angling, licence and additional information.

More information can also be found in the Visit Isle of Man website.

Saltwater angling

There are many locations where saltwater angling can be enjoyed around the Island. Good pier fishing can be had at Douglas, Ramsey, Peel and Port St Mary. Shore fishing from the rocks and beaches is also popular, with tope and bass fishing from the beaches on the North West coast providing exceptional sport. Boat angling is popular and there are a number of charter vessels around the Island.

Although no licence is required for saltwater angling, please remember to observe the various minimum landing sizes. It is an offence to retain any salmon or sea-trout caught in the sea.

Visit Isle of Man - Fishing information

Bass fishing

Within the Isle of Man's territorial waters (12nm) bass may be fished for and/or taken by recreational rod and line anglers only.

Anglers must abide by the following conditions:

General restrictions: Only one bass may be retained in any period of 24 hours. An angler may continue to fish after keeping a bass, but must not keep another one for the following 24 hours.

Size limits: A bass may be retained only if it is at least 50cm and no more than 60cm in length, as measured from the tip of the snout to the end of the tail.

Taking and killing of bass: Retained bass must be removed in a whole state (i.e. not gutted or otherwise mutilated) from the foreshore, jetty or recreational fishing vessel from which it was caught.

Handling bass: Bass must be handled carefully to ensure a high survival rate of released fish. Anglers are advised to carry forceps or long-nosed pliers to assist removal of hooks, and to support fish in the water until they are able to swim off.

Full copies of the Recreational Sea Fishing (BASS) Regulations 2016 are available below.

General License for bass fishing

Recreational Sea Fishing (Bass) Regulations 2016

Potting

You may fish (for recreation) for crab and lobster with up to 5 pots from either a pleasure craft or from the shore. A licence is required, an application form and catch return form are available to download from the hobby crab and lobster potting page. 

Sand Eels

In 2005, the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture introduced byelaws to prohibit all netting activity in a restricted zone consisting of the beaches from the north end of Peel Bay, round the Point of Ayre, to the northern side of Ramsey Harbour.

Netting is not permitted from the beach and to 750 metres seawards. The byelaws are in place for the protection of salmon and sea trout which gather round the coastline before entering Manx rivers to spawn. However, the byelaws do make provision for anglers to net for sand eels as bait at certain times of the year and in specific locations within the restricted zone. A licence is required, please contact the Fisheries Directorate for an application form.

Lugworm and Razor Clam Collection

Recreational fishers collecting lugworm or razor clams are reminded that several Marine Nature Reserve (MNR) byelaws apply to bait‑gathering activities. These protected areas are designated to safeguard sensitive habitats and species, and certain methods or locations of collection are restricted.

Restrictions within Marine Nature Reserves

Specific byelaws apply to the collection of flora and fauna within MNRs, include:

  • Byelaw 11 – Protection of flora and physiographical features: Applies to several reserves, including Langness Marine Nature Reserve, and restricts activities that may damage protected features

  • Byelaw 13 – Eelgrass Conservation Zones (Ramsey Bay MNR):
    • (3) Collection of any living animal or plant on the foreshore or in the sea within the Eelgrass Conservation Zone is prohibited

    • (4) Exception: Lugworms and razor clams may be collected between Spring High Water Mark and Spring Low Water Mark, from 1 October to 31 March each year.

Responsible Bait Collection

All Marine Nature Reserves are spatially protected areas. Anyone gathering bait—particularly through digging—should do so responsibly to avoid environmental harm. Good practice includes:

  • Filling in holes after digging

  • Returning rocks to their original position

  • Avoiding disturbance to protected species and habitats

  • Being considerate of other beach users

These actions help maintain the ecological integrity of the reserves and ensure continued access for recreational activities.

Activities Within Harbours

Bait collection within harbour areas may fall under the Department of Infrastructure (Harbours), regulated through the Harbours Act 2010. Harbour boundaries can be extensive, and activities within them may require consultation with DoI Harbours.

Contact details and further information are available on the Harbours webpage. /categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/harbours/

Fish Handling

The Department's Fisheries Division aim to assist anglers to improve their catch and release success as releasing a fish does not guarantee it will live. Catch and release is the immediate return of a live fish after being caught.

It aims to support sustainable angling through successful release of fish as a voluntary personal preference or as mandated under licence restrictions which may target a range of conditions such as species, size, age or by season, bag limits and any other restriction requiring the release of caught fish.

The actions you take before, during, and after you land a fish can improve the chances of survival and help keep fish populations healthy. It is important that fish which have been released survive their capture and handling, and go on to spawn. Research has shown that almost all fish will survive if they are treated properly.

For further information on catch and release and fish handling, visit:

For a comprehensive guide on distance to keep from wildlife and key sensitive areas, visit the Manx Wildlife Trust website.