Fishing
The River Hamble is an important estuary for a variety of fish species. However, there are some restrictions on fishing.
An Environment Agency fishing licence is not required for most sea fishing within the estuary, but is required for certain species such as salmon, sea trout and eel, as well as for freshwater fishing upstream.
The Hamble estuary is a Bass Nursery Area, so bass fishing has additional restrictions, and the use of sand-eel as bait for any type of sea fishing from a boat is not permitted at certain times of year (see section below).
Recreational rod fishing may take place from the Harbour Authority owned jetties at Hamble, Warsash and the River Hamble Country Park subject to the approval of the Harbour Master. Please contact the Harbour Office for permission. Please be mindful of other users and keep equipment clear of moving vessels. At the Warsash Jetty, children under 12 must wear a lifejacket/buoyancy aid and be accompanied by an adult. While the Harbour Office will not be able to enforce it, it is strongly advised that children under 12 wear a lifejacket/buoyancy aid at Hamble and River Hamble Country Park jetties. There are times when fishing from some jetties will not be allowed for safety reasons. The Harbour Authority’s decision will be final.
Recreational rod fishing may also take place from some areas of the shore, subject to right of access. Access is generally available from public areas, although some restrictions may apply depending on land ownership. Some public areas may also be seasonally fenced off to protect ground nesting birds or sensitive habitats. Please always respect local access rights and signage.
Tidal areas can be hazardous, with strong currents, waves, rapidly changing conditions and vessel movements. The foreshore is often mud and can bring with it hazards of entrapment.
Drift, trawl or other net fishing or shellfish dredging is not permitted in the river under Byelaw 7, nor is commercial fishing, except with conditional written permission of the Harbour Master.
The River Hamble Harbour Authority is the navigation authority so you should check the latest fishing rules with the fisheries authorities.
Bass, salmon and sea trout
The River Hamble is an important bass nursery area and there are legal restrictions on when, where and how you can fish for bass as well as limitations on the size and number of bass allowed even when fishing is permitted.
The type of bait used in boat fishing for any sea fish if is also restricted in a bass nursery area.
Find out more information about the current restrictions on bass fishing. Enquiries should be made to the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.
Fishing for salmon and sea trout is permitted at certain times of the year with a current Environment Agency rod fishing licence. Closed seasons protect fish stocks during breeding. In this region of England, the closed season for migratory sea trout is from 1 November to the 30 April, and for salmon this is from 3 October to the 16 January. Check the latest at Rod fishing byelaws: South East.
Bait digging
Private bait digging for recreational use is part of the public right to fish. The Bait Collectors' Code acts as a guide to responsible and sustainable bait collection.
Bait digging is not permitted within 15 metres of any mooring or within 6 metres of any pile, beacon, mark, hard, causeway, jetty, quay, wharf or similar structure, and all material dug out must be replaced.
Commercial fishing
A small number of local commercial fishermen have external permits to net for mullet in specified areas. Other than these, commercial fishing is not permitted in the river in general under Byelaw 7 for reasons of safety.
Crabbing
The river is popular with crabbers, particularly two hours either side of high water from the quay walls at Warsash and Hamble. If you wish to go crabbing at any tide, use the pontoon at the River Hamble Country Park where it is strongly advised that children under 12 wear a lifejacket/buoyancy aid and be accompanied by an adult.
Please be mindful of other users and keep equipment clear of moving vessels. Tidal areas can be hazardous, with strong currents, waves, rapidly changing conditions and vessel movements.
Crabbing equipment is sold at the Harbour Master’s Office.
