The Angling Trust is playing its part in the campaign against illegal close season fishing with a new publicity blitz aimed at making sure that all anglers are aware of the rules.

To help combat this growing problem and support its member clubs and fisheries the Angling Trust has produced a simple but effective new poster that spells out the rules in five different languages.

Clubs just need to download the poster from the Trust's website, print and laminate it, then post them in prominent positions on their rivers, lakes and canals which are shut during the close season.

Martin Salter, National Campaigns Coordinator for the Angling Trust said: "Fishing for coarse fish between March 15th and June 15th (inclusive) on rivers and some still waters and canals is illegal. Yet many people still don't seem to be getting the message, as fishing during the close season is one of the most common illegal angling activities in England. There can't be an angler in the country who hasn't seen someone ignoring the rules on one of their local waters. Not only is it illegal, it's also really annoying! Ignorance of the rules is a poor excuse, but it is the one most commonly used when an approach is made to an angler caught in the act. Hopefully these new posters will help deter the usual culprits and at worst they will at least mean that rule breakers have no excuse when they get caught!"

Download the Poster HERE