22 Fantastic Lake District Fishing Spots

Fishing Lake Windermere (Game and Pike)

There are char and trout available in Windermere, although these are not as abundant as they used to be. Pike fishing, however, is excellent here all year round, and is regarded by many anglers as the best use of the lake. Not for new starters, the north end is excellent for pike from October to March. As this is boat fishing, there are other users to consider, as well as the bankside habitat.

​Thirlmere (Game and Pike)

Thirlmere is one of the most scenic of the spots, and very accessible. It is home to brown trout, char, perch and pike. Unlike other lakes, Thirlmere does not have an abundance of fish. Its levels drop quite markedly at certain times of the year, and its fish have to fight hard to survive. This, of course, makes them excellent sport. The pike might not be the biggest, but they do what pike do best; fight.

Esthwaite Water (Pike and Trout)

Esthwaite Water is great for anglers with varying levels of confidence. It is the largest stocked brown trout fishing Lake in the area, which is great for the local pike. There is bank and boat fishing available here all year round, with wheelchair friendly boats available for hire. The north side of the Water is kept for fly fishing only, but all angling methods are allowed in its southern basin.

Ullswater

The second largest of the Lakes, Ullswater has quite a few opportunities for good fishing. This is mainly for its brown trout, which are here in abundance, although the season is quite short, only lasting from March to late June. There is bankside and boat fishing on Ullswater, although there are precious few boats available for hire on the Lake. As well as trout, Ullswater is home to the endangered and protected schelley, a fish unique to this part of the world. Perch and pike are here, although in quite small numbers.

​Coniston Water

This is a long Lake of the Lake District, at over 5 miles, and is about half a mile wide. It is home to the Coniston Boating Centre, which has excellent disabled facilities. The fish available here are char, perch, pike and trout. Most of the fishing here has dropped off in recent years, especially trout. Coniston anglers mainly target the pike nowadays, with 20 pounders usually caught every year. The best pike fishing here is in the winter, using dead bait.

​Allonby

This coastal spot can be quite challenging, but the rewards can be well worth it. The area from Dubmill Point to Crosscanonby is low lying and floods over a large area. Especially with a south westerly wind, the flood tide can bring bass, codling, dabs, dogfish, flounder, plaice and whiting. Local crab, lug and rag are perfect bait. Safety restrictions apply, as this coast floods quickly.

​Bassenthwaite Lake

This is a unique body of water. It is best known for pike fishing, but there are restrictions in place as to how to go about angling here. The shoreline can only be accessed near the A66 laybys. Pike fishing is best done by boat, but these are not for hire. You can take your own, but you must have a permit to use it on the Lake. As well as pike, there are stocks of eels, perch and roach, with some salmon and trout fishing at Ouse Bridge.

​Arnside and Sandside

​Blea Water

This tarn is the deepest of its kind in the Lake District and is situated in probably the most dramatic setting. It has very steep banks around much of it, with the fellside dropping away on one edge. It is excellent for trout, using the fly. As the tarn does not have much in the way of food for the fish, they are on the small side, but fighting fit. They are also extremely beautiful fish and must be put back.

Ghyll Head Trout Fishery

This is WADAA's most popular fishing spot and has been specially designed and laid out for superb angling. The waterways and bankside features tempt the trout throughout the year, and present excellent opportunities for all ages and abilities. The trout in the fishery move around during the year, from the shallows in April to all parts of the water in May and June. There is no stocking from November to February.

Beckfoot

This stretch of coastline has very wide, shallow tides along large areas of beach, which are easily accessible by car. South westerly winds bring in bass from May to late autumn, while winter anglers come here for codling, flounder and whiting. As with other coastal fishing spots, the tide can take you by surprise here, so take care.

​Rydal Water

Atkinson's Tarn – A Hidden Gem In Ambleside

​Burlington Lake

This is run by the Furness Fishing Association and lies to the south of the National Park. Both Burlington Lake and the nearby Nigel Lake are bodies of water created from old iron ore mining sites. The complex offers bait, fly and spinning fishing, for both rainbow and stocked trout. The fishing here is very competitively priced, and away from the tourist traps of the National Park.

​Yew Tree Tarn

​Bessy Beck Trout Fishery

This specialist fishery is located just off the A685, not far from the M6 motorway. It is actually a complex of three small lakes and is designed to cater for anglers of all ages and abilities. As such, it is one of the few places specially designed for fishing in Cumbria. It has a working trout farm, with several fishing options. The largest lake is solely for fly fishing, and lessons are available. The centre also has restaurant and other facilities for visitors and tourists.

​Cleabarrow Tarn

A recently refurbished fishery, Cleabarrow Tarn is regaining its reputation for carp. It was once a thriving waterway, but its fishing was decimated by otters. WADAA have spent a lot of time and money restoring this unique tarn, and fish numbers are rising. The re introduced carp are now averaging in the low teens in weight, and there are also bream, golden rudd and tench available here.

Blea Tarn Is A Very Good Lake For Trout

This is one of many fishing spots in the Lakes with the same name and lies between Borrowdale and Thirlmere. It is excellent for trout fishing at all times of the year but is also exposed and hard to access. Although the fish here are larger than in other tarns, they are still too small to be killed. They will bite quickly, providing excellent sport; but they must all be put back. This remote spot is only recommended for committed anglers.

​Ratherheath Tarn

Bigland Trout Fishery (Otter Tarn)

This is a WADAA owned and run fishing tourist attraction, which farms its own trout. It is specially laid out for anglers of all abilities to have the best chance of netting. September onwards is recommended as the best time to fish here, and there are all sorts of trout in various stages of development here for the catching. Float tubing is allowed on Fridays, and some Saturdays during the tourist season. Bigland is designed to give the wider public a taste for angling.

​High Fairbanks Tarn

This fishery has been recently opened by WADAA and is specially designed to be a catch and release waterway. It is very well managed and stocked, with both brown and rainbow trout rising freely on the lake. Rainbow especially thrive here, and the record for a catch here is a whopping 9lb. The land around the tarn is privately owned, so the area is very quiet.

​River Eden (Go Wild Scheme)

This is an innovative fishing opportunity set up by the Eden Rivers Trust. It combines beats which people don't really know about, around tributaries that suffer as a consequence. There is excellent wild trout fishing to be had here, and some adventure. Some of the banksides are overgrown and need cutting back. This is of benefit to local farmers, who run the Trust, and it also offers some truly unique Cumbrian fishing.