Yes – you can dig for lugworm on Cleethorpes Beach, but only in designated areas and only if you hold a valid bait-digging permit. North East Lincolnshire Council also caps bait-digging permits for Cleethorpes at 30 per year.
North East Lincolnshire’s 2023 Public Spaces Protection Order states:
- Permit required: All bait diggers must purchase a permit from the Tourist Information Centre at the Resort Hub and carry it on-site, ready to show on demand. nelincs.gov.uk
- Cost & availability: Historically these annual permits have been around £15 and are renewed each year via the Cleethorpes TIC. worldseafishing.com
Bait‐digging on Cleethorpes Beach is confined to the central promenade stretch between two landmarks:
- Northern limit: just north of the Wonderland Amusement Park
- Southern limit: just south of the Cleethorpes Leisure Centre
Digging anywhere seaward (out onto the saltmarsh) or beyond these points is strictly prohibited under the PSPO. humbernature.co.uk
Once you’ve got your permit, please adhere to the Angling Trust’s Voluntary Code of Conduct for bait digging:
- Collect only what you need for your own fishing, not for sale.
- Avoid taking immature worms (e.g. ragworms under 100 mm) or spawning specimens.
- Back-fill all holes and replace any stones or seaweed to help the habitat recover.
- Stick to agreed access routes and don’t dig around sensitive features like sea-walls or moorings.
- “Check, Clean, Dry” your gear before moving to another waterway to prevent spread of non-native species. anglingtrust.net
Breach of the permit requirement or PSPO byelaws can lead to fines, so always dig responsibly and sustainably. Tight lines!
