Fishing and Crabbing on the Isles of Scilly: A Simple Guide
Mackerel trips from St Mary’s, quiet quays for crabbing and the rules you need to know in 2026. Our simple guide to fishing and crabbing on the Isles of Scilly for families and keen anglers.
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Few things beat a bucket of crabs on a sunny quay or fresh mackerel on the grill. On the Isles of Scilly, both are easy to enjoy. The water is clear, the boats are local and the rules are simple. This guide covers fishing trips, shore fishing and crabbing for every age.
You will find what you can catch, where to try and what the law says in 2026. We also cover how to look after crabs, how hobby potting works and where to buy local fish if the mackerel stay away. Most of it applies to St Mary's, but the off islands get a look in too.
Key Takeaways
- No rod licence is needed for sea fishing on Scilly. The licence only covers freshwater fish, salmon, trout, smelt and eel.
- Fishing trips run from St Mary's quay, with mackerel the classic summer catch.
- Bass rules for 2026: keep up to three a day, at 42cm or more, except February and March.
- Crabbing is free. Keep crabs in shade, in seawater, three per bucket at most, and put them all back.
- Hobby pots need an IFCA permit and a £3 tag per pot, up to six pots.
Do You Need a Fishing Licence on the Isles of Scilly?
No. You do not need a rod licence to fish in the sea around Scilly. According to GOV.UK, the rod licence is only needed for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel. Mackerel, pollack, wrasse and bass from the sea are all fine without one. So yes, you can bring your own rod.
There are still rules. Fish must be over a minimum size before you keep them. You can never sell what you catch without a commercial licence. The Isles of Scilly IFCA makes this clear on its recreational fishing page. It also offers a guide to measuring your catch, worth saving to your phone.
Keep it simple. Take only what you will eat.
Fishing Trips from St Mary's
Most fishing trips on Scilly start from St Mary's quay. The St Mary's Boatmen's Association runs the inter island boats, and its skippers also offer specialist fishing trips, says Isles of Scilly Travel. You buy tickets at the Association's office on the quay. Check our Scilly Live board for today's sailings.
All boat trips depend on the weather and tides. A trip listed for the afternoon can be moved or cancelled on the day if the sea is lively. If fishing is the highlight of your holiday, plan it early in your stay. That way you have spare days if the first attempt gets called off.
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Mackerel are the classic catch. They arrive in shoals through the summer and are easy for beginners on a string of feathers. Tregarthen's Hotel notes that hake, turbot, sole, plaice and whiting are all found in local waters. Longer specialist trips can head into deeper water for ling, conger or even blue shark.
What to Bring on a Fishing Trip
- A warm layer and a waterproof, even in August
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses
- A cool bag for any fish you keep
- Seasickness tablets if you need them
- Snacks and water for longer trips
Ask when you book whether rods and feathers are supplied.
Shore Fishing on Scilly
You do not need a boat to catch a fish. Tregarthen's Hotel points to the rocky edges of St Agnes, Bryher and St Martin's as good shore marks, especially for bass and wrasse. Try a rising tide early in the morning or towards dusk. That is often when fish move in close to feed.
Take care on the rocks. Swell can arrive with little warning, and many spots are remote. Tell someone where you are going and check the tide times before you set off. Wear shoes with good grip, keep children well back from the edge and never fish exposed ledges alone after dark.
Bass Fishing Rules for 2026
Bass are prized on Scilly, and national rules apply. New regulations in 2026 raised the daily limit to three fish, as Eastern IFCA reports. The minimum size stays at 42cm. These rules apply from a boat or the shore, and nets cannot be used. Full details are in the MMO bass guidance.
| When | Rule for anglers |
|---|---|
| 1 to 31 January | Keep up to 3 bass per person per day |
| 1 February to 31 March | Catch and release only |
| 1 April to 31 December | Keep up to 3 bass per person per day |
| All year | Minimum size 42cm |
Crabbing on the Isles of Scilly
Crabbing is the simplest seaside fun there is. You need a crab line, a weight, some bait and a bucket. Children love it, and so do plenty of grandparents. On Scilly the quays give easy access to deep, clear water, and the crabs are rarely shy. Best of all, it costs almost nothing.
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- Fill a large bucket with seawater and add some seaweed and a few stones.
- Put bait such as bacon or fish scraps in a bait bag on your line.
- Lower the line until the weight touches the bottom.
- Wait about ten minutes so the crabs can find the bait.
- Pull the line up slowly and smoothly, then lift crabs gently into the bucket.
The best time is either side of high tide, says Looe Marine Conservation Group. Pull the line too fast and the crabs let go. Most of what you catch will be green shore crabs. They are not for eating, so this is all about the thrill of the catch and a close look.
Best Places to Go Crabbing on Scilly
Quays are the natural choice. On St Mary's, the main quay is a busy working harbour run by the Duchy of Cornwall, says St Mary's Harbour. Ferries, fishing boats and inter island launches come and go all day. So pick a quiet corner away from the steps. Smaller quays such as Old Town and the off islands are often calmer.
Keep an eye out for boat crews. If they need the space, move along with a smile.
Follow the Crabbing Code
Crabs are living animals, and a hot bucket can kill them. Cornwall Wildlife Trust backs a simple crabbing code first set up in Looe. Shallow buckets warm up fast in the sun, which cuts the oxygen in the water. Too many crabs in one bucket leads to fights and lost claws.
- No more than three crabs per bucket
- Keep the bucket in the shade
- Use a large bucket of cool seawater and change it often
- Put crabs back gently at the water's edge, never tipped from a height
- Take your line home. Crab lines take around 600 years to break down, says Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Hobby Potting for Crab and Lobster
Want to set a pot for brown crab or lobster? On Scilly you need a permit first. The Isles of Scilly IFCA requires every local and visiting hobby fisher to hold a permit and a tag for each pot. Tags cost £3 each, and you can set a maximum of six pots per person.
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Berried lobsters and crawfish, meaning those carrying eggs, must go back by law. Crawfish need extra care. Scilly has one of the last crawfish fisheries in England, and the species is a national conservation priority. Measure everything before you keep it, and remember you cannot sell any of your catch.
Cooking or Buying Your Catch
There is nothing like mackerel cooked an hour after it leaves the sea. A hot grill, a squeeze of lemon and some fresh bread is all you need. If you are self catering, gut the fish at the water's edge and take the waste with you. Do not leave scraps on the slipway for the gulls.
If the fish are not biting, buy local. The Pender family at Island Fish on Bryher have fished from the island for hundreds of years, says Visit Isles of Scilly. They sell fresh lobster, crab and wet fish. For crab sandwiches and seafood, browse our Eat and Drink directory.
Fishing and Crabbing FAQs
Can I take a fishing rod to the Isles of Scilly?
Yes. You can bring your own rod, and no licence is needed for sea fishing. A travel rod in a hard tube is the easiest option on the Scillonian or a plane.
When is the best time to fish on Scilly?
Summer is best for mackerel. Most fishing on the islands happens between March and November, according to the Isles of Scilly IFCA.
Can I keep the crabs I catch?
Shore crabs from a crab line should always go back. Brown crabs and lobsters from a permitted pot can be kept if they are over the legal minimum size and not carrying eggs.
Do I need to book a fishing trip?
It is wise in July and August. Ask at the Boatmen's office on St Mary's quay a day or two ahead.
Whether it is a first crab on the quay or mackerel for supper, fishing on Scilly is about simple pleasures. Check the tides, follow the rules and take only what you need. Then sit back on the quay and watch the boats come in. You can check today's sailings on our Scilly Live board.
