Fisherman are urged to return the fish to the river

Environment Agency water bailiffs are patrolling rivers to remind anglers that any of the fish caught before 16 June must be put back in the water.

The byelaws were introduced in 1999 to protect future salmon stocks.

Although the county currently has high numbers of salmon in its rivers, officials said it was "vital" the fish are protected so they can spawn.

Any angler who catches a salmon before 16 June is required by law to return the fish immediately to the water with the least possible injury.

Stock recovery

Technical fisheries team leader John Shannon said: "The adult salmon are now returning from the sea to our rivers.

"But over the years we have seen a national decline in the number of springers, which are salmon that spend several winters at a time out at sea and return to the rivers during the spring.

"Although North Yorkshire has recently seen high levels of salmon in its rivers, it is vital that we protect these adult fish so they can go on to spawn.

"If everyone keeps to the law they can help salmon stocks in the region recover to the numbers once seen 100 years ago."