6 of the UK's Best Fishing Lakes

When it comes to fishing, your location is as important as the equipment you bring with you. While nothing compares to reeling in a big catch, the stunning views of the peaceful lakes and rivers where you fish certainly come close. Before embarking on a fishing trip, you will need to research into fishing locations, to find out what fish populations you will find there, and whether you will need a permit. To help you get started planning your perfect fishing trip, we take a look at some of the best fishing lakes in the UK.

Horseshoe Lake, Gloucestershire

So named because of its horseshoe shape, Horseshoe Lake is the dream location for carp fishers looking for a big catch. Horseshoe Lake spans 62-acres, and attracts hundreds of anglers each year. The 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 per hour that you are fishing on the lake.

Caerphilly Castle, South Wales

Worth the trip for the views alone – who wouldn’t want to fish with views of a Norman castle?! There are a series of lakes, which formerly made up the moat surrounding the castle. Fish here include crucian carp, roach, tench, eels, carp, bream and perch, amongst others. A unique fishing experience, you can even position your baits against the medieval foundations of the castle!

Anglers Paradise, Devon

Boasting 30 magnificent lakes, you’ll be spoiled for choice with a visit to the aptly named Anglers Paradise in Devon. Set up as a holiday destination for fishing enthusiasts, you can also get day tickets to fish on many of the lakes within the estate. While twelve of the lakes are exclusive to those staying at Anglers Paradise, you’ll still have a wide variety of fishing experiences to choose from with a day ticket. Offering a peaceful fishing experience for all abilities, 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. The lakes are stocked with a wide variety of fish, including carp, koi, trout, catfish, tench and perch.

Windermere, Cumbria

The largest natural lake in England, Windermere is also home to a range of fish, making this beautiful spot in the Lake District a must-visit for fishing enthusiasts. It’s not uncommon to find very big pike here, as well as eels, trout and perch. An exciting fishing experience will also be had if you manage to catch an Arctic Charr, as Windermere has one of only 340 populations of these fish in the UK. Sea trout and salmon are also known to migrate through the lake, so you may be in luck to catch one of these too!

Redmire Pool, Herefordshire

Something of an iconic fishing spot, Redmire Pool has long been the go-to spot for carp anglers. The farm pool is such a popular spot for fishing that a session must be booked over the phone on a specific day each year. With fishing enthusiasts wanting to be the first to get a catch, the first available slots of the year in June are bid for, with prices starting at £2000. More reasonably priced slots are available later in the season, but it seems like you need to be a fairly serious about fishing to visit here!

Loch Leven, Scotland

Overlooked by Loch Leven Castle, you’ll want to head to this idyllic lake for the chance to catch wild brown trout. The Loch is 3,600 acres of mostly shallow water, making it ideal for fishing. The trout that are found here are fast-growing and can reach impressive sizes. They are renowned for their fighting ability, so you may struggle a little if you are not experienced at fishing. Bank fishing is not permitted here, so all fishing must be fly only and undertaken from the fisheries boats, which can be rented for sessions. Set within a National Nature Reserve, you will also be able to enjoy the stunning scenery and impressive populations of wildfowl while visiting.

Whether you’ll be set up fishing all day long, or want to explore the beautiful countryside surrounding these lakes a little more, be sure to spend your fishing trip in comfort with the aid of our hiking boots for wide feet. With comfortable footwear offering you support, you’ll be able to put all your focus on getting the biggest catch!