Gone fishing! The best places to go fishing

Ardgartan Argyll

This is the perfect location for year-round sea fishing, sitting as it does on the shores of Loch Long, a sea loch. From April onwards the mackerel come in close to the shore. You can spin for these or even use feathers right up to early September. Near the jetties you can fish for other species including cod, whiting, pollock and conger.

If coarse fishing is more your preference, there is a small stream with brown trout right next to our romantic couples cabins. Alternatively, Loch Lomond, a 10 minute drive away, has a large head of pike weighing up to 40lbs, and many other coarse fish. Remember, as with all coarse fishing around the country, you will need a fishing licence.

Further afield but worth the drive, is Oban, with the best skate fishing in the country. You can book a boat fishing day trip and catch skate weighing hundreds of pounds; a fish of a life time!

Strathyre 

Right on your door step at Strathyre is Loch Lubnaig, a lovely location, when you are not relaxing in yout hot tub, for fishing. From May to August, you can fish for salmon which are going upstream from the sea. There are also lots of perch and many other fresh water fish.

Cropton & Keldy

This is mainly a trout fishing area with lots of trout farms. You need to hire a fishing rod and you have to pay for what you catch. This means you can take your catch home and cook it! You can also do some fly fishing, using an artificial fly or a rod and reel with bait.

Coarse fishing in this area is very good as there are many local ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. The North York Moors website has an excellent guide to fishing spots, including the trout lake at nearby Pickering.

Wykeham lakes is about 30 mins away from both Keldy and Cropton. Simply take your fishing gear and pay for the day. The Water Park has three well stocked lakes, with specialist trout, predator and coarse lakes to choose from, within a short walk of the leisure lake.

Sea fishing is very good at Whitby and Scarborough, approximately half an hour’s drive away. Both offer excellent fishing days whether you choose to fish over the wrecks or over the rough rocks at sea. There are some good cod, haddock, ling, mackerel, whiting, plaice and flounders. On land, there is some excellent rock fishing from the shore all year round. Ask at the local fishing shops for advice on the best areas to fish and the areas that have been catching recently. Staff will be more than willing to help you, particularly if you buy your bait from them.

Sherwood Forest

Here, in the heart of the country, mainly coarse fishing takes place in the many rivers, lakes and ponds. There are a number of coarse fisheries, all within 20 minutes’ drive of Sherwood Forest, including Clumber Park Fishery, Sherwood Fishery and A1 Pits, a well-known carp fishery. This has a number of lakes to choose from which you can fish on a daily basis. You can also fish for several days and nights, but book in advance for this.

And of course, the River Trent. Renowned for its fishing all around the country, this river has everything: chub, barbell, bream, pike; you name it! You will require a fishing licence and can only fish the river at certain times of the year so check beforehand.

Thorpe Forest

The Oakwood Park fishery is close by. This fishery is known for its predators, with a large amount of carp, pike and cat fish.

Forest of Dean 

Close to the Forest of Dean is the River Wye, probably the best barbell river in the country. The river also has large pike and salmon, the salmon mainly running around the springtime. You can rod and line fish or fly fish.

There’s also Cannop Ponds within a 10 minute drive. The ponds were created in 1825 and 1829 to supply a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks. Today, they’re used for fishing by the Yorkley Angling Club and the site makes an idyllic spot to view local birdlife. Look out for the Mandarin ducks, reed warblers and a pair of nesting mute swans too!

Blackwood Forest

Coarse fishing in this area is very good, as you have some of the best commercial lakes in the country. The well-known Gold Valley, owned by the England international fisherman Will Raison, is only a 35 minute drive away. Here you have day ticket waters and a large number of match lakes which are in excellent condition. Staff are always happy to help you.

You also have a number of fly fishing waters around Winchester where you can just turn up for a pleasant hour or two’s fishing. As for sea fishing, there are some very good spots in Southampton, either from the shore or boats.

Deerpark 

As you might expect, Cornwall is mainly sea fishing. Boat fishing is very good for all species and shark fishing is especially popular, as the water is slightly warmer down in the south. There have been some very large sharks caught in these waters. You can also fish for cod, pollock, bass, tope and more.

Go fishing!

Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, our locations are ideally placed for a quality fishing holiday this summer.