Eight suspected illegal anglers from the Spalding area could face fines of up to £2,500 after being reprimanded by the Environment Agency during bank holiday spot-checks.
A total of 13 suspected illegal anglers from Lincolnshire were given Offence Report Forms after being unable to show the correct documentation.
The checks were made on Sunday and Monday, August 25-26
On the first day, officers checked 189 anglers to ensure they had a licence to fish. While most were able to show the correct documentation forms, five were unable to do so.
The second day saw a further 132 people checked, with eight ORFs being given to anglers who could not produce a fishing licence.
Lesley Robertson, Environmental Crime Team Leader, said: “We monitor the watercourses all year round, including during holidays, and our fisheries enforcement officers were out during the bank holiday.
“We were pleased to see that most anglers had valid rod licences, as all the money the Environment Agency receives from sales is spent improving fisheries.
“Those law-abiding anglers were very happy to see our officers out on the ground and were encouraged by our continued stance against illegal fishing.
“However, the days found an evasion rate of 2.6 per cent on the first day and 6.06 per cent on the second day. People should realise that fishing licences cost far less than the punishment that could be handed out in court.”
Licences may be bought from post offices, by visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish) or by calling 0844 800 5386.