Reeling in the Best Spots: A Comprehensive Guide to Fishing in England

England is certainly blessed to have some of the most beautiful spots that are perfect for fishing. Whether you are a keen river carp angler or prefer a spot of sea fishing for bream,  there is always great fishing locations found across England.

With today marking St George's Day, we, here at Angling Direct thought we would gather up the top places across England, for you to plan your next fishing holiday/staycation! 

What to consider at Fishing Venues

Before we jump into the top fishing locations there are just a few things to consider other than where the venue is and what fishing it offers you.

Fishing laws in the UK: Before heading on your fishing trip, check whether it is legal to fish with consideration of ‘closed seasons’.

Fishing License: Check which type of rod licence you will need and order through the government website.

Access to venues: In England, many fishing spots require membership of an angling club, sometimes resulting in the purchase of a permit. The number of spots open to the public without any type of fee is somewhat small. Fishing syndicates and other day ticket waters are very common, even at the sea coast. Also, check how to get to the water’s edge without crossing private lands.

Upon arrival: It is important to figure out if there are water features, channels, drop-offs or anything else that will attract or funnel fish into a run that you can tap into at the venue. Check for facilities, car parking and wheelchair access if required.

Top Fishing Venues in England

RIVERS

Of all the places to fish in England, rivers are often a top choice to many coarse anglers. The flowing waters of a river bring in a host of species from pike to trout and some migratory sea species! Be sure to check for closed seasons when river fishing which for England is 15^th March – 15^th June.

River Dove, Derbyshire

Great for fly anglers, the Dove river offers quality trout and grayling. Coarse anglers will also enjoy great catches of chub, barbel as well as roach, bream, pike and more.

• Part of the Burton Mutual Angling Association, fishing on the River Dove requires purchasing of a £5.00 Guest Ticket valid from dawn until dusk

• Can also seek a membership to access the BMAA’s waters year-round.

• Car Parking differs depending on where on the Dove you fish but most offer nearby carpark or on-street parking.

• Your nearest Angling Direct Stores: AD Birmingham & AD Leicester 

River Trent, Nottingham Embankment

A great specimen and match fishing venue, the River Trent is home to Roach, Dace, Chub, Barbel, Perch, Pike, Eel and Carp. On the Nottingham Embankment stretch of the River Trent, the silverfish fishing are fantastic, with plenty of fish to catch on a simple stick float.

• No day tickets required as you can fish the stretch for free

• Car Parking runs parallel to the river and is approximately a 40-50 yard walk to the waterside.

• Car Parking is free for 2 hours or costs £2 for a day.

• Local Facilities include the ‘Bean by the River’ café which serves hot and cold food and drinks and has toilet facilities.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Nottingham

River Itchen, Hampshire

The chalk streams of the south of England is ideal for dry fly fishing for brown trout and salmon. The Lower Itchen Fishery can be found 5 miles from Junction 5 off the M27. The fishery is set amidst picturesque water meadows with the entrance being via Gaters Mill, which also offers refreshments by the Fisherman’s Lodge. 

• Fishing is offered on a full or half rod basis with a limited number of 'day tickets' available on a pre-booking basis only for the Fishery.

• Prices differ depending on season, species and length of your stay at the fishery.

• A private track that follows the course of the river Itchen enables anglers to park beside their beat, which is ideal for the more mature or physically restricted anglers.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Guildford

River Avon, Dorset

Perfect for coarse and specimen anglers, the River Avon is situated between the seaside resort of Bournemouth and the New Forest and is ideally located for pleasure anglers who want to combine a family holiday with first-class angling. The Royalty Fishery offers access to the river Avon as well as facilities for your session. 

• All anglers must obtain a permit from Davis Tackle before entering the fishery.

• Day Tickets for Coarse and Game fishing are available when the season is open

• Anglers are permitted to use the Royalty Fishery Car Park located at the end of Avon Buildings.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Bristol

River Tyne, Northumberland

Ideal for anglers after salmon or sea trout, the River Tyne offers peat-tinged water which gives the fish confidence and means you can fish for them in daylight as well as at night. The whip can be devastating when the conditions allow, especially when paired with a line strength of 2lb - 3lb and hooks ranging from size 18 – 14. As well as salmon and sea trout, the Tyne offers specimen such as large chub and dace. Dace love groundbait but try using bread hook bait for chub.

• Good places to try are near Prudhoe Riverside Park or station.

• Car Parking and facilities can be found at the local café; Tyne Riverside Café.

• You will need to purchase a Permit for £60 from the Northumberland Angling Federation.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Leeds

Barbel Alley, River Severn, Shropshire

Located in Hampton Loade, near Bridgnorth in Shropshire, Barbel Alley is conveniently situated about 150 meters from some superb barbel and chub fishing on the River Severn. Barbel, chub and plenty of pike can be caught in Hampton Loade with swim feeder and ledger tactics suggested.

• Day tickets are available on the bank from the Bailiff of the Kinver Freeliners Angling Club for just £8 a day. Fishing is from dawn until dusk only.

• A car park can be found on the site of a disused pub, formerly called the “Old Lion”. On arrival pay £1 at the letterbox to park.

• The car park is a short walk down to the track to the river.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Birmingham

River Yare, Norfolk

Keen match anglers fish on the River Yare for mostly bream and roach. The River Yare runs through Langley and Rockland St Mary with plenty of pegs to choose from. The Yare is a powerful tidal river so fishing it requires a little finesse and skill. Feeder methods are suggested on this river with quality groundbait mixes which can be viewed in the video below.

• Day tickets are available at the bank from the bailiff at £5.

• If you fish from Claxton Bank, you can park in the Buckenham Sailing Club car park which is situated to the right of the main pub gate.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Stores: AD Norwich & AD Beccles

Ladybower Fishery, Peak District

Ideal location for fly and coarse fishing, the Peak District’s rivers are renowned for their quality and variety. The Ladybower Fishery is in the heart of the Peak District and has 13 miles of bank fishing available with mostly rainbow trout, wild brown trout and grayling in its waters.

• Both bank and boat fishing allowed on a day ticket for Ladybower for around £22.

• The Ladybower fishery offers disabled access with a fishing pontoon and a wheely boat.

• The main car park is available for free as is the male and female toilet facilities.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Stores: AD Sheffield & AD Manchester

Wroxham Broads, Norfolk

A network of man-made waterways and river systems, the Wroxham broads is the ideal venue for predator and coarse anglers. Pike can be caught as well as trout, roach, rudd, bream and eels with a Trout, coarse fish and eel license. Check out Angling Direct's Tips for fishing Wroxham Broads below.

• A great fishing spot is along River Bure with parking and facilities found in many of the water cottages for rent or nearby pubs.

• Further along the Norfolk Broads, wheelchair-accessible fishing spots can be found along the River Waveney.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Wroxham

BEACH FISHING & HARBOURS

In England, we are blessed with some of the finest coastlines in Europe for sea angling. With Britain being such a slender island, getting from the central mainland to the coast is never too difficult. For those family seaside holidays coming up, there is bound to some beach trips so why pick somewhere you can squeeze some fishing in too? Check out our dedicated Sea Fishing Guide here.

Padstow Harbour, Cornwall

Perfect for sea anglers, this charming fishing port on the Cornish coast offers angling from the shore, from boats or in the estuary of the River Camel. Fish found near Padstow Harbour are various Whitefish, including Cod, Pouting, Poorcod and Whiting, flatfish, gurnard, mackerel, bass and catsharks! 

• Good sites on the west side of the harbour are St. Saviour’s Point, the rocks by St. George’s Cove and along the cliffs out by the coastguard houses on Stepper Point.

• The Harbour Car Park, Railway Car Park (at the bottom of Station Road) and the Lawns Car Park (opposite the Old School on School Hill) are all nearby parking pay and displays.

• There are disabled toilets outside the Railway Car Park.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Bristol

Kessingland Beach, Suffolk

Found just off the A12, south of Lowestoft, Kessingland Beach gives sea anglers the chance to catch a variety of species from the shoreline including codling, bass, whiting, dabs, sole, dogfish and smoothhound. Kessingland Beach is less commercial than neighbouring Lowestoft or Southwold making it perfect for peaceful sea fishing.

• Recommended baits for fishing at this beach are lugworm, ragworm or peeler crab with long-range casting and smaller hooks. 

• Nearby free car parking can be found on Church Road right next to the beach

• Facilities can be found along the seafront including cafes and public toilets.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Beccles

Victoria Pier, Portsmouth

Located in front of Portsmouth Harbour, Victoria Pier offers a concentration of mackerel and garfish shoals just before high water. Ferries passing during these visiting shoals means chopped fresh bait for bass! There is also plenty of pollack, wrasse, bream and garfish caught on the Pier.

• Springtime fishing calls for peeler crabs whereas in the summer and winter use ragworms.

• With many piers or harbours, snagging is quite a problem so be sure to use braid and heavyweights.

• Nearby parking can be found at Clarence Pier car park with all-day tickets costing £12

• Public toilets and cafes can be found a short walk away from the pier.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Guildford

Whitby Beach, North Yorkshire 

Throughout the summer species such as Mackerel, Coalfish, Pollock, Flounder and the occasional Bass can be caught from the Whitby shorelines whereas the winter brings in plenty of Cod to catch. If you stick to land, eels can be caught closer to the harbour and pier. 

• The Pier is only accessible on foot, however, there is plenty of pay and display parking spaces in the surrounding areas of Whitby beach.

• Remember to check the weather and tide forecast so you do not have to rush to pack up when the weather turns for the worst!

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Hull

Dungeness Beach, Kent

Labelled a Cod hotspot, Dungeness Beach is located near Lydd and sports a sloping shingle structure that provides access to snag-free deep water. Summer sees silver eels, lesser-spotted dogfish, sole and bass. Freshly dug black lugworm is the top bait or a whole squid on a Pennell rig can help land a cod.

• The whole coastline of Dungeness produces great fish for sea angling but a hot spot can be found next to the lighthouses.

• Ample free car parking can be found adjacent to Dungeness Lighthouse

• There are local café, restaurant and a local public house within a few minutes walk.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Ashford

LAKES 

Whether it is natural or manmade, fishing in lakes across England offer great fishing and are often a good place to start for beginner anglers due to the abundant amount of fish you can find in them. Lakes produce abundant plant food and offer plenty of covers for fish to hide. Check out our Top Carp Lakes to Fish in the UK, here.

Sywell Reservoir, Northamptonshire

Located within Sywell Country Park, this 67 acre (28 hectares) lake was built in Edwardian times and was formerly known as the Tench Fishing Mecca. Sywell Reservoir is the go-to venue for big tench to double-figures with famous anglers such as the recently departed John Wilson visiting the venue to film the much loved Go Fishing TV shows. The fishery also contains Pike to over 30lb, Roach to over 2lbs and a large number of Perch and Rudd so pack your predator as well as fly fishing gear. 

• Day Tickets are required and can be purchase before you set up your rods from the Rangers Office near the lower main entrance.

• Concession, Evening tickets, 24-hour tickets, 12-month season tickets and Winter Pike permits are also available.

• There is a lower car park open from 9 am to 5 pm and an upper car park for anglers.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Northampton

Horseshoe Lake, Gloucestershire

Situated on the borders of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, the Horseshoe lake is named after its horseshoe shape and spans 62-acres. The lake is the dream location for carp anglers looking for a monster catch. Horseshoe Lake is also home to tench, roach, bream, pike, rudd and perch, allowing you to enjoy a rich fishing experience.

• To fish here, you must be a member of The Carp Society, which costs £25 a year, as well as paying £1.25 per hour that you are fishing on the lake.

• Annual permits are available and members can book day tickets online.

• Plenty of parking can be found on the track around the lake

• Facilities at Horseshoe Lake include toilets and shoes, a lodge with catering and a tackle shop all on-site.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Swindon

Westfield Fishery, Buckinghamshire

Located in the picturesque village of Medmenham. Westfield Fishery offers a 3-acre carp fishing lake and ½ mile-long coarse stream with both providing a range of different species of fish to catch such as common carp, mirror carp, crucian carp and a selection of large tench, bream and pike. The stream offers a choice of fishing spots in the open and around trees and bushes, so it is ideal for young anglers and beginners wanting to test out net tackle.

• Designed with convenience in mind, the fishery offers disabled access to the lake and facilities

• There is a ladies and gents toilet block, as well as a shower on site

• The fishery can also supply fridges for bait and power should it be needed, ideal for charging phones, batteries for bait boats, etc.

• Day Tickets cost from £13.50 and can be booked via telephone.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Northampton

Elphicks Fishery, Tunbridge Wells

Situated near the large town of Tunbridge Wells, Elphicks Fishery is the perfect location for carp fishing with the West End Land housing carp up to 46lbs! Comprising of 7 lakes that are available for day ticket and session fishing, Elphicks Fishery is open to all ages and levels of experience. All swims are built for 'all-weather' conditions with either astroturf, stone or bark. 

• Each lake has its own parking within easy reach of the swims

• The Fishery Lodge carries drinks, snacks and a range of the fishing bait and terminal tackle

• Ladies, Gents and Disabled toilet facilities are provided within the Lodge

• Day tickets cost £25 for 3 rods and can be booked prior to your session via phone.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Ashford

Windermere Lake, Cumbria

At 10.5 miles long, one mile wide and 220 feet deep, this is the largest natural lake in England. Windermere is also home to a range of fish, holding some very big pike, as well as perch, eels, trout, and one of only 340 populations of Arctic Charr in the UK. Salmon and sea-trout also migrate through the lake.

• Day tickets start from £10 and vary depending on what section of the Windemere that you fish.

• Day tickets and memberships can be purchased on the Windermere, Ambleside & District Angling Association website.

• There are a number of Pay & Display car parks situated on the east side and north of Lake Windermere, all offering ladies, gents and disabled toilets as well as baby-changing facilities.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Preston

Yateley Pads Lake, Hampshire

Approximately 4 acres, Yateley Pads Lake is a carp fishing dream with around 100 carp present. The venue’s name originates from the magnificent stands of water lilies that adorn the western bank of the lake. The large beds of lily pads do not provide much of a problem to the angler but they are a favourite haunt of many of the carp.

• Toilets and facilities are available on site

• Low Season Rates are £80 per 24 hours (10 am-10 am)

• Many other booking options available through Yateley Social Website. 

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Guildford

Angler’s Paradise, Devon

For anyone looking to catch some exotic species in the UK,  this fishing venue boasts 30 magnificent lakes, leaving anglers spoiled for choice. The lakes are stocked with a wide variety of fish, including carp, koi, trout, catfish, tench and perch. A great fishing holiday destination, Angler’s Paradise offers twelve exclusive lakes for anglers that chose to stay in a villa. Anglers Paradise is the perfect place for learning how to fish, with lakes suited to novice fishermen and helpful guides to make the experience more successful.

• Day tickets to fish on many of the lakes within the estate can be booked online.

• The Lakes are easily accessed via concrete paths. There are 6 Lakes with purpose-designed Pagoda Shelters with priority for the disabled.

• Tackle and bait shop and toilets available on site.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Bristol

Cherry Lakes, South Cerney

The perfect carp fishing holiday, Cherry Lakes is a venue set in the glorious Cotswold Water Park. Cherry Lakes offers anglers outstanding fishing coupled with luxurious bankside accommodation. The venue includes Cherry Mere and Cherry Springs for carping, Cherry Pool which offers a whole range of species and is great to float and pole fish as well as the larger Cherry Lake that contains specimen carp.  

• 3, 4 and 7 day breaks available in a range of accommodations.

• There is a designated car park and cars can only be driven around the lake for dropping off and collecting tackle.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Swindon

Carthagena Fishery, Hertfordshire

This multi-water carp fishery and coarse fishery is nestled in the Lee Valley Park on the Hertfordshire and Essex border. Only 18 miles from central London, Carthagena Fishery offers excellent opportunities for the specimen angler as the fishery itself comprises of two lakes and the weir pool alongside the Carthagena Lock. Renowned for its specimen barbel, chub, perch, zander and pike, the fishery is also home to one or two surprise carps. A members-only syndicate is mainly stocked with carp, the main lake is a 7-acre gravel pit. 

• Facilities at the Carthagena complex include an on-site shop where day tickets, bait and refreshments are available

• Toilets available on site

• Tickets and memberships can be booked via phone.

• Your Nearest Angling Direct Store: AD Chelmsford

We hope you found this list of best fishing places in England helpful. Have you fished at any of these venues or can think of some great places you have cast your line that is not mentioned? Let us know on AD’s social media. You can check out more venues in Norfolk on our blog as well as our other location guides.

Fishing in Scotland - Your Guide to the Best Fishing Spots 

Fishing in Ireland - Your Guide to the Best Fishing Spots 

Fishing in Wales – Your Guide to the Best Fishing Spots

For more locations not mentioned in this article, you can check the Angling Trust App, FishPal, Fish Advisor or the official British Sea Fishing Website. Remember before you head off for your next fishing trip to grab all your needed tackle at a venue local to your venue or from Angling Direct online.