Please note: We endeavor to keep this list of minimum fish retention sizes as accurate and up to date as possible. However, changes in laws and legislation take place on an ongoing basis. This means that changes in minimum sizes may not be reflected in the information below. The table below is therefore for guidance only.
| Species | Minimum Length cm/inches |
Notes |
| Bass | 42/16½ | From 2016 onward anglers there have been a range of regulations which limit anglers’ right to target and retain bass. See this article for the current rules and regulations on bass fishing. |
| Black Bream | 24/9½ | |
| Brill | 35/14 | |
| Bull Huss | 58/23 | |
| Coalfish | 35/14 | |
| Cod | 35/14 | |
| Conger Eel | 91/36 | Usually released by anglers due to spawning patterns. See conger eel article for details. |
| Dab | 20/8 | |
| Dogfish | 38/15 | |
| Flounder | 27/10 | |
| Garfish | 38/15 | |
| Gurnard (Tub) | 28/11 | |
| Haddock | 30/12 | |
| Hake | 30/12 | |
| Herring | 20/8 | |
| Ling | 63/25 | |
| Mackerel | 30/12 | |
| Megrim | 20/8 | |
| Mullet | 33/13 | Applies to thin lipped grey, thick lipped grey and golden grey. |
| Mullet (Red) | 20/8 | |
| Plaice | 27/10 | |
| Pollock | 30/12 | |
| Poor Cod | 18/7½ | |
| Pouting | 18/7½ | |
| Ray | 41/16 | Almost all ray species are classed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened by the IUCN. Recommended that anglers catch and release ray species. |
| Rockling | 18/7½ | |
| Scad | 25/10 | |
| Silver Eel | 38/15 | Classed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Protected by laws which mean this species needs to be released if it is caught by anglers. |
| Skate | 41/16 | Classed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Protected by laws and legislation around the UK meaning any skate caught by anglers are released. |
| Sole | 24/9½ | |
| Smoothound | 51/20 | |
| Spurdog | 58/23 | Numbers massively reduced in UK waters. Classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Recommended that all spurdog are released. |
| Turbot | 41/16 | |
| Whiting | 27/11 | |
| Wrasse | 23/9 | |
| Unclassified | 20/8 | All other fish and mini-species that are not listed |
| Other Species |
Halibut – May be protected by local bye-laws and need to be released. Monkfish – May be protected by local bye-laws and need to be released. All large shark species – May be protected by local bye-laws and need to be released. Sea Trout – In England, Wales and parts of the Scottish Borders anglers need a licence if they are specifically targeting sea trout. Tope – Must be released alive due to legislation protecting this species. |
* Please note: Minimum lengths may not be applicable if there is legislation/laws passed to prohibit anglers from retaining species (i.e. in the case of silver eel).