Environment Agency restocks West Country waters

Winter is when restocking happens. The Environment Agency says 6,750 coarse fish have been added to rivers, lakes and ponds across Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire, paid for by rod licence income. The fish were raised at the agency’s Calverton Fish Farm near Nottingham, with this update published on 6 January 2026 on GOV.UK. (gov.uk)

Species include barbel, dace, rudd, roach, bream, tench and crucian carp, shared between waters that needed a boost. It’s the routine seasonal top‑up that helps local clubs and casual anglers alike. (gov.uk)

‘Giving back fish is good for the environment and everyone and everything reliant on it,’ said fisheries officer Jim Flory, who also noted that anglers’ licence fees make restocking possible. (gov.uk)

Why winter? Cooler water is less stressful for fish and buys time before spring spawning. The agency lists disease, pollution, high temperatures and low flows as reasons some waters need help, and says December and January are the best months to introduce new fish. (gov.uk)

Here’s the simple version you can teach: fish are moved in oxygenated tanks, slowly acclimatised to site water, then released in chosen spots. Follow‑up checks aim to see whether the arrivals settle and join existing food webs rather than disrupt them.

What your licence buys: when you pay for a rod licence, you’re helping to fund practical work like this restocking, along with local projects run with clubs. It’s a direct line from your fee to fish in the water.

Ecology basics for the classroom: roach and rudd graze on plankton; bream sift sediment; barbel favour fast runs over clean gravel; tench and crucian carp can cope in weedy ponds. A mix of species steadies freshwater habitats for kingfishers, otters and people.

Good angling etiquette keeps that balance. Keep your licence valid, follow local byelaws and closed seasons, and clean and dry nets and boots between trips. Those small steps cut disease and invasive species risks while giving young fish a chance to grow on.

Local clubs often help with releases - the Wimborne & District Angling Club is pictured assisting at the waterside in the agency’s images - turning a national programme into local care. (gov.uk)

If you want to take part, the official GOV.UK page has a quick way to buy a fishing licence online: https://www.gov.uk/fishing-licences/buy-a-fishing-licence. Your fee supports work like this winter’s West Country restocking.