Fisheries Improvement Programme 2025

The Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP) is funded from the coarse, trout and eel fishing licence income and provides a direct benefit to anglers. We are initially making £820k available to support projects, most of which are developed and delivered by angling clubs and other partners. We have been able to increase the amount due to the savings (£320k) from stopping the production of picture licence cards.

Who can apply?

We welcome project proposals from clubs, fisheries, NGOs, local authorities or other community organisations involved in angling. To be eligible, the projects must be in England and involve a form of angling covered by an Environment Agency non-migratory trout and coarse fishing licence. Projects only benefiting salmon or sea trout, and sea angling projects cannot apply. We welcome proposals from river, canal and stillwater fisheries. We particularly encourage proposals from small angling clubs with limited finances; usually run by volunteers and with smaller needs. It is not necessary to be an Angling Trust member club or affiliated organisation to apply.

What can you apply for?

To be considered a project must provide angling benefits and the water where the project is planned must be fished. We will prioritise applications from clubs and fisheries where the maximum number of anglers benefit and that the organisation actively promotes and checks the need for a rod licence. The funding criteria is as follows

• 1) Sustainable and resilient fisheries: maintain, improve and develop fisheries to address impacts and pressures.
• Or 2) Accessible angling: providing better angling access and safe facilities for all.

Most individual projects receive less than £5k each and we expect all to provide additional funds, secure grants/contribution from other sources, and offer 'in-kind' support.

For more information on the fund, please visit - https://anglingtrust.net/funding/fisheries-improvement-programme/