The National Trust recognises that the management of fishing can benefit the environment. Fishing also provides a source of income on some properties.

Guiding principles

1. Fishing, for both game and coarse species, is welcome on our properties where it already takes place

2. Where fishing does not already take place, a strategic assessment of its likely impacts should be undertaken and a fishery management plan should be prepared.

3. We advocate the concept of sustainable fishery management - the development of fish communities which are appropriate to individual water bodies and can sustain themselves sufficiently to maintain the fishery without artificial stocking.

4. We favour a partnership approach to the management of its inland waters, which requires close liaison with all users of its waters, neighbouring owners and other interested parties such as the Environment Agency.