Fishing is experiencing a sharp rise in popularity in the UK. As the weather warms up, more people are taking up fishing. Freshwater rod licences have increased by 16% recently, with over one million currently documented. Commercial fishing has also seen an increase in value, particularly with Scottish fisheries. Much of this trend stems from the growing desire for outdoor activities, as people seek more ways to connect with nature.
Factors Driving the UK Fishing Boom
Another factor that is driving the fishing boom would be modern media. There are some fishing TV shows available on Fishing TV and ITV, with new episodes launching all the time. Underwater Grand Fishing Adventure saw new episodes drop in April, with The Big One Fishing Show set to take place in 2026.
Gaming also has a part to play in the general increased awareness of fishing. Fishing Planet is looking to release the Maldives map by the end of 2026. Even in iGaming, numerous Paddy Power online slots cover the fishing theme. Some examples include Big Bass Splash and Fishin’ Frenzy: Even Bigger Fish. Titles like this feature graphics like fishing tackle and buckets of chum, paying homage to the sport of fishing. You also have the iconic Fisherman, who is dressed in traditional fishing tackle. As time goes on, it seems that fishing is gaining more traction, and that steps are being taken to take the sport to new heights.
Source: Pexels
Retailer Angling Direct Experiences Record Sales
With the sharp rise in freshwater rod licences, it also seems that the increase in interest is also leading to a boost to local UK fishing shops. Angling Direct, a major retailer experienced record sales, in the lead-up to January 2025.
The firm Angling Direct, which is based in Norwich, secured £86.4m from 2024-2025, with revenue increasing by over 12%. With the chain now having 53 stores across the UK, they have seen a huge boom in the people who are looking to buy tackle and equipment, with online sales rising by 8%. These statistics reinforce how much interest there is right now in UK fishing, and how businesses are benefitting from the sharp rise in people who want to take up fishing for the first time. Even though events like The Classic Fishing Festival and television have a big part to play in the boom, there are other factors that are supporting this trend as well.
Source: Pexels
The UK in particular is home to numerous fishing destinations with picturesque landscapes, and this is leading to a bigger focus on fishing tourism as a whole. The River Wye in Herefordshire for example is known for chub fishing in particular, and the River Test, in Hampshire is known for fly-fishing.
It’s not uncommon to see people travel for fishing opportunities, and with more events being held throughout the UK as the years go by, it seems that this boom is going to continue well into 2026. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the number of rod licences grow even more over the next few years too, especially given freshwater fishing’s popularity amongst UK enthusiasts.