Fishing on the Esk

The Esk is Yorkshire's only salmon river, and it has been fished for salmon and sea trout for as long as anyone has kept records. It is also one of the last English rivers with a population of the freshwater pearl mussel, which depends on healthy young salmon and trout to complete its life cycle.

Salmon and sea trout

The season runs from 6 April to 31 October, with the main runs of fish from late summer onwards after rain. Most of the river is controlled by the Esk Fishery Association, a members' club with a waiting list, and by riparian owners. Day tickets are available on some stretches, notably the Ruswarp water sold by the boat hire at Ruswarp and estate water at Egton. Fly, spinning and (from mid-June to mid-September) worm are all permitted under the association's rules, but conservation rules are strict: every salmon must be returned, as must sea trout over 60 cm and any sea trout caught in October, with a limit of four sea trout a season.

Everyone aged 13 and over needs an Environment Agency rod licence, available online, as well as the beat permit.

Brown trout and grayling

The upper river and its becks above Danby hold wild brown trout, and there is coarse and trout fishing on some stretches by club permit.

Sea angling

Whitby is one of the best sea-angling ports on the east coast, with charter boats running from the harbour for cod, ling, pollack and, in season, mackerel and bass. Shore fishing from the piers and the rock scars is popular; take care with the tide. Our sister site lists boat trips from Whitby.

Watching the fish

You do not need a rod to enjoy the river's fish. From October to December, after rain, salmon and sea trout leap the weirs at Ruswarp and Sleights on their way upstream, one of the valley's great wildlife spectacles.

If you run a beat, a club or a charter boat and would like to be listed, please contact us.