Parks and Greenspaces

Angling

Before using any park lakes in Liverpool, you must obtain a permit from the council. This is to help promote good angling and conserve the quality of the lakes.

Once registered, it allows us to contact anglers about any issues affecting the lakes, as well as giving us a better idea as to how our parks are used.

All anglers over 12 years old fishing in freshwater will also need to purchase a rod licence from the Environment Agency. Rod licences must be renewed annually, each April.

How to apply

You can apply online for a permit. You must supply the following:

  • Rod licence (issued by the Environment Agency) if you are 12 or over.
  • One other form of ID if you are age 17 or over. This can be a current driver's licence or passport, birth certificate, current utilities bill or application registration card (ARC).

These can be a scanned image or photograph of the documents and must clearly show the applicant's name.

Apply online for a permit

Read our privacy notice which tells you how we use your data.

What happens next?

If we approve your application, you will receive an email with a QR code. This will link to your digital permit record.

You may be asked to show this QR code to City Watch officers whilst fishing in park lakes. They will scan the code to verify your permit status.

If we reject your application, you will receive an email explaining why.

Angling lakes

The following parks in Liverpool have angling lakes:

Behaviour and expectations

We expect our visitors to behave responsibly and respectfully. Antisocial behaviour and damage to park property will not be tolerated.

Rod licence fees are not paid to the council and anglers have no greater entitlement to parks than any other visitor.

Park lakes are not fisheries and the council does not stock fish. Our park lakes are ornamental, man-made lakes, which are home to a multitude of other wildlife.

  • Do not interfere with parks property such as boreholes and fountains - this is criminal damage
  • You must have both your rod licence and council permit to fish with you. You must show them to any council officer who asks to see them
  • Follow all other park rules and byelaws
  • No tents are permitted without prior permission. 
  • Signage prohibits fishing around some areas of lakes including near habitat islands
  • Never leave your rod unattended
  • Never leave your rod across a footpath
  • Always clear and dispose responsibly any discarded line and hooks

See our anglers code of conduct for full details.