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.
We are working hard to encourage young people and newcomers to take up the sport. Under 12s may fish for free when sharing their parents’ bag limit. For under 18s, there is a two fish child permit available. Throughout the season, we host open days and events where we offer free fly fishing tuition for all.
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.
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.
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.
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 is the managing charity of SW Lakes Fishing. The charity is a member of The Angling Trust. In 2014, the South West Lakes fisheries hosted the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships; Scotland took gold and England won silver.
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.
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Catch reports are starting to wind down now as the trout season begins to draw to a close. The brown trout season has now come to an end but anglers are still making the most of what remains of the rainbow season before it finishes at the end of November. Read more
With the brown trout season having drawn to a close on 12th October, and just over a month before the end of rainbow season on 30th November, anglers have been busy squeezing in their final sessions of the year. Read more
Sunday 17th October saw the final of the Best of the Best take place at Kennick. It was a really enjoyable day with some superb fishing and very respectable bag weights. Read more
All of the South West Lakes Trust trout fisheries continue to be operated under strict Covid 19 restrictions, in line with the current Angling Trust and Government guidelines. At the time of writing the on-site permit huts are not open, so day tickets, season tickets, and boats should be pre-booked online (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) or via the telephone. Water levels are currently between 60% and 65% full, and water temperatures have now started to drop. Read more
A mixture of overcast weather, cooling temperatures and bountiful insect hatches has meant anglers have seen a real increase in fish activity across the fisheries this week, particularly later in the day. Highlights include a new season record at Colliford, and 2 stockings at Kennick of a total of 610 rainbows to 3.5lb, with two more scheduled for October. Read more
Anglers have braved the weather this week to produce some nice catches, with plenty of good sized fish. Highlights include 3 full bags between 3 anglers creating a rod average of 6 and a 4lb rainbow caught by Graham Roberts at Kennick. Read more
All of the South West Lakes Trust trout fisheries continue to be operated under strict Covid 19 restrictions, in line with the current Angling Trust and Government guidelines. At the time of writing the on-site permit huts are still not yet open, so day tickets, season tickets, and boats should be pre-booked online (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) or via the telephone. Water levels are currently about 80% full. Read more
Low activity levels across the fisheries this week in terms of both insect life and rises, but anglers have utilised a wide range of fly lines and methods to produce some good catches. Low rod averages were made up for with some nicely sized fish. Read more
A summary of last week's fishing, including the results of Best of the Best at Burrator on 18th September and re-stockings at Burrator and Kennick. Read more