Trout Fishing

We extend a warm welcome to all trout anglers. The range of fishing we offer ensures excellent sport for all abilities. Our still water fisheries are among the best in the west and vary in size from around 50 to over 900 acres!

Our fisheries are picturesque and atmospheric lakes, including countless secluded bays, weedy shores and tree line margins to explore. We boast rainbows, browns and a large number of blues of the highest quality. Traditional fly fishing is the rule at our stocked fisheries, although other methods can be used at our free wilderness trout waters. 

Young People and Newcomers

We are working hard to encourage young people and newcomers to take up the sport. Under 18 fish for free with a paying adult and part of their bag limit. Throughout the season, we host open days and events where we offer free fly fishing tuition for all.

Boat Fishing

Boats are available at most of our waters which provide an alternative to bank angling. These must be pre-booked, either by calling 01566 771930 (8.30am - 5.00pm 7 days a week) or online by scrolling to the bottom of your chosen lake page.

You will need to sign a disclaimer before you can take a boat out. Once a year you will need to complete a boat induction – please watch the induction video here. 

Access for All

Most of the waters benefit from facilities designed for disabled or wheelchair anglers, either by platforms or Wheelyboats. These boats must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Clubs

A number of the fisheries have associated local clubs. These are a great way to meet fellow anglers, as well as participating in competitions and social events. We run several competitions during the season - more details of each of these are available on our competitions page.

Environment Agency Rod Licence

Anglers on all our waters must have a valid Environment Agency rod licence which are available from post offices or via the Environment Agency. The only exception may be when attending a bona fide course or a coaching session with a qualified coach – please check beforehand.

South West Lakes Trust

South West Lakes Trust is the managing charity of SW Lakes Trust Fishing. The charity is a member of The Angling Trust. In 2014, the South West Lakes Trust fisheries hosted the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships; Scotland took gold and England won silver. 

Reporting an Incident:

South West Lakes Trust manages a portfolio of nearly 50 lakes and other natural resources so it is not always possible for our wardens to be on the scene when issues occur. The very remote and rural nature of our estate, the thing that makes them so special, also means that modern mobile communications don’t always cover the areas we would like them to. This makes getting an immediate response to ongoing incidents very challenging.

Please use this form to report any incidents of poaching, illegal fishing or any other form of antisocial behaviour to the management team so that we are able to take appropriate action.

Complete Form

Trout Fisheries Report July 2025

A spell of hot dry weather has resulted in water temperatures rising and fish retreating to deeper, cooler, shaded water on most of the reservoirs, while levels continue to drop. Intermediate and sinking lines have generally been the order of the day, although on some waters fish have still continued to rise and feed near the surface.

Kennick

Rods averaged 1.9 fish per rod, with boat anglers fairing slightly better than those fishing from the banks. Generally deep-fished lures (Cats Whiskers and a variety of Boobies) caught the most fish, although Buzzers, Damsel Nymphs, Diawl Bachs and Montanas still managed to pick up some fish. The best fishing was to be had in the deeper water in Clampitts, Boat Bay, and by the dam, although fish were also caught from the Causeway, Oak Tree Point, and Hawthorn Point. Brian Hitchcock (from Budleigh Salterton) caught six rainbows to 2lb while fishing from a boat with a sinking line near the bottom. The water level is now down to 71% capacity.

 

Siblyback

The fish moved to deeper water as the month progressed, and while beetle and hopper patterns managed to bring a few fish to the surface, most were caught on subsurface nymphs (Montanas, Damsels, and Buzzers) or lures (Orange Fritz and Blobs, and Christmas Tree patterns), with both floating and sinking line tactics catching fish throughout the water column. Stocky Bay, Crylla, North Bank, Two Meadows, and Stoney Bank all produced some good sport. Water levels are now down to 67% capacity.

 

Burrator

In spite of the high temperatures fish have continued to feed near the surface, either rising to dry patterns (Claret Hoppers, Black Gnats, and Sedgehogs), or feeding relatively close to the surface, with floating lines and long leaders, sink-tip, or intermediate line tactics catching fish (mainly using Damsels, Montanas, and Diawl Bachs). Longstone, Sheepstor, Bennetts, and Pigs Trough banks have all produced some good fishing. Andy Birkett (from Plymouth) caught a bag ten rainbows while fishing from a boat. Levels are now at 65% capacity.

 

Stithians

The warm weather meant that sport became more challenging, with anglers averaging 2 fish per visit, and fish well spread out around the lake (Yellowort, Sluice Bank, Deep Bank, Sailing Club, Goonlaze, Carnmellis, and Pipe Bay all produced some reasonable catches). Generally floating line tactics with a slow retrieve are still working well, with Hoppers, Beetles, and Sedge patterns taking rising fish, and Buzzers, Hares Ears, Black Hoppers, and Spider patterns taking deeper feeders. Water levels are now down to 80%.

 

Colliford

Anglers averaged 3.1 fish per visit – popular locations included Lords Waste, Menaridian, Browngelly, East Bank, and the deeper water by the dam. A floating line and slow retrieve produced the best results, either with dry patterns (Emergers, Black Hoppers, Bobs Bits, Foam Beetles, and Daddy Longlegs) taking rising fish, or Bibios, Soldier Palmers, Zulus, Mini-Muddlers, and Black Pennels taking deeper feeders. Gary Boyd (from Tintagel) caught four fish in one session, fishing on the surface and close to the bank, while Shane Coventry caught six. Levels are now at 67%.

 

Fernworthy

Anglers averaged 1.5 fish per visit, with most fish being caught off Lowton, Boathouse, below the picnic tables, and off the South Bank. Hoppers, Black Gnats, and Emergers took rising fish, while sub-surface feeders were taken on Invictas, Diawl Bachs, Partridge and Orange, and Spider Patterns. Mark Warren (from Weston-Super-Mare) caught five browns to 1lb 4oz using Diawl Bach and Hopper Patterns.

 

Roadford

Anglers averaged 2.75 fish per visit, with fish mainly caught at Gaddacombe, Shop, Big Oak, Daveys Bank, Wortha, and Grinnacombe. Some fish rose to dry patterns (Black Gnats and Emergers), but the majority were taken on sunk patterns (Soldier Palmer, Black Pennel, Gold Ribber Hares Ear, and Buzzer patterns)  fished on a floating line. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught thirteen browns to 1lb 8oz in one session, fishing wets on a floating line from the bank. Water levels are now at 85% capacity.

 

Please see website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.

 

Chris Hall (July 2025)

 

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