A young Wiltshire man has been taken to court and fined hundreds of pounds after he was caught fishing illegally in Warminster.

Damian Boczek, 23, from Holt in Trowbridge, went fishing for freshwater fish and eels in Shearwater Lake on July 23, 2023, and the day was anything but relaxing.

Boczek, who did not own a rod license, pleaded guilty in Swindon Magistrates Court on January 30, 2024, for ‘illegal fishing’.

The Trowbridge man has now been fined £120, as well as being ordered to pay £135 in costs and a victim surcharge of £48 – leaving him with a total bill of £303.

Although it seems like a steep price to pay for fishing without a license that costs as little as £6, the Environment Agency has warned that those not complying with fishing laws could be fined up to £2,500.

“Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute,” said James Allan, an Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer.

“Boczek disregarded signs at the fisheries that said an Environment Agency rod licence was needed to fish. If you do not comply with these bylaws you could face prosecution and be fined up to £2,500.”

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence, which be purchased online on the UK Government website, or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386.

A one-day licence costs just £6 and an annual licence costs £30.