Coarse Fishing

Our coarse fisheries include over 275 acres of water with fisheries ranging in size from 2 to 81 acres. Our established lakes are located in outstandingly beautiful and secluded rural areas across the South West.

At South West Lakes Trust Fishing we offer more than just great angling, our unique fisheries are matched with a recognised reputation for great fish quality.

Enjoy the tranquility that our waters provide with established tree-lined banks, lily pads and weed beds with natural woodlands surrounding the lakes. Our coarse fisheries offer a peaceful setting within picturesque and wildlife-rich surroundings.

Coarse fishing in the South West:

We regularly hold carp and match competitions at Upper Tamar Lake with prize money exceeding £3,500. Season tickets are available online. Day tickets are bookable through Catch. Download the Catch app from App Store or Google Play.

Facilities include onsite cafes, parking, toilets, showers, wheelchair access platforms, on-site permit rooms and easy access paths and swims.

SW Lakes Fishing Trust is managed by South West Lakes Trust.

Send in your catch report

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

Coarse Fishing at Christchurch Harbour, Lower Avon and Stour

Click here for game fishing

Fishery Information
Fishery Map
Fishery Times
Prices
Check, Clean, Dry
Facilities
Report an Incident

Christchurch Harbour, Lower Avon, Stour and Claypool offers some of the best coarse fishing in Dorset.

Coarse fish are found in large numbers with roach and dace offering quality sport in winter.

Large pike are found above and around Tuckton Bridge and carp up to 30lb in weight are caught along the towpath and bandstand area.

South West Lakes manage the area from Knapp Mill to the confluence of the two lower sections of the Avon. The Lower Avon and Lower Stour together with two thirds of Christchurch Harbour are also managed by the Bournemouth Team of South West Lakes. The boundary of the Royalty Moorings is marked by yellow buoys in the harbour.

Day Permits: Book through Catch. Download the Catch app from App Store or Google Play.

Season tickets can be purchased either online or from Davis Tackle,75 Bargates, Christchurch, BH23 1QE, telephone 01202 485169.

Fishery Information:

Please note: Throop Fishery to Tuckton Bridge – RDAA members only. To find out more visit www.ringwoodfishing.co.uk

Species: Carp, Roach, Dace, Pike

Boat Fishing from Tuckton Bridge to the boundary only by season ticket available either online, from the Bournemouth Team of South West Lakes on 01202 581411, or from Davis Tackle, 75 Bargates, Christchurch.

Season tickets cover a calendar year: 1 January – 31 December.

Contact: 01202 581411

Click here for Christchurch Harbour and South West Water Rules

Click here for the Lower Stour and Harbour Prices and Application Form

Fishery Times:

No coarse fishing between 15th March and 15th June

Boat Day Ticket: 24 hours from 7:30am

Bankside Day Ticket: 7:30am to sunset

Bankside Day Ticket: 24 hours from 7:30am

Bankside Game Day Ticket: 7:30am to sunset

Prices:

Season Tickets

Fishing from bank (single person): £90
Boat Fishing (single person): £90
Boat Fishing (two persons): £157
Boat/Bank Fishing (single person): £157
Boat/Bank fishing (two persons): £314

Season tickets cover a calendar year: 1 January – 31 December

Boat Day Ticket (single person, 24 hours from 7:30am): £18
Boat Day Ticket (two persons, 24 hours from 7:30am): £29
Bankside Day Ticket (single person, 7:30am to sunset): £11.50
Bankside Day Ticket (single person, 24 hours from 7:30am): £18
Bankside Game Day Ticket (single person, 7:30am to sunset): £21

Children under 14 can fish free of charge but must get a free ticket from Davis Tackle and must be accompanied by a paying adult.

(No Concessions on all day tickets. No weekly tickets available)

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Whenever you leave the lakes, remember to Check, Clean, Dry

Invasive plants and animals can carry diseases that kill fish. Protect the environment and sport you enjoy by cleaning your kit before and after using the water.

Find out more here

Facilities:

Local facilities available within the Christchurch area include: toilets, pay and display car parking, disabled access, local shops and cafes.

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Roadford Lake

Set in the rolling Devon hills on the edge of Dartmoor, just off the A30, Roadford is primarily a brown trout fishery. Carp fishing has now been introduced as a removal project for the month of April 2024.
Coarse Fishing at Christchurch Harbour, Lower Avon and Stour

Christchurch Harbour, Lower Avon, Stour and Claypool offers some of the best coarse fishing in Dorset. Coarse fish are found in large numbers with roach and dace offering quality sport in winter.
River Fishery at Longham

This river fishery is a three quarter mile stretch of the River Stour, including weir pools, and is open from 07:30 until one hour after sunset. Here you’ll find roach, barbel, chub up to 8 lbs, pike up to 25 lbs, dace, bream up to 9 lbs and carp.
Longham Lake

Longham Lake is a great pike fishery producing many double figure fish, and has gained a reputation as one of Dorset’s great coarse fisheries. This popular fishery has also produced bream up to 18lbs and carp up to 41lbs.
Trenchford

Visit Trenchford Reservoir on Dartmoor and enjoy the spectacular scenery whilst fishing for pike up to 27lb. The reservoir, which is nestled amongst farmland and woodland, offers a peaceful atmosphere for your next angling escape in Devon.
Darracott

Situated just outside of Torrington in Devon, Darracott is a fantastic mixed coarse fishery, perfect for beginners or pleasure anglers. This picturesque fishery has a really good stock of fish and, at 3 acres in size, there are plenty of swims for you to choose from.
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Lower Slade, tucked away in the rolling hills of Ilfracombe in North Devon, is a must visit on your next angling escape. This long narrow lake has a great mix of fish species and is a really great venue for the all-round angler or pleasure fisherman.
Melbury

This picturesque and mature Devon coarse fishery borders forestry and farmland near Bideford in North Devon. It is well stocked with a good mix of mirror and common carp to 30lb, the perfect spot for your next angling escape. There are some stunning, highly sought after fish such as ‘The fully scaled’ at over 25lbs and ‘The Train’ at around 27lbs.
Bussow

This peaceful 7 acre coarse fishery is placed close to the popular coastal resorts of St Ives and Penzance in Cornwall. Bussow has mirror and common carp to 32lbs with a handful of fish over 30lb and really good head of back up 20lb fish.
Jennetts

With a national reputation for its carp fishing, Jennetts Reservoir is known as a ‘runs' water. This popular Devon coarse fishery holds carp to 32lb which can be caught off the bottom or off the surface.

Current reservoir levels

See the current water levels in our reservoirs.
Equipment Hire

Experience the ultimate family adventure by exploring the lakes at your own pace. We have a variety of watersports equipment available to hire including; kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards and more.
Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

Wimbleball is a hub of colour and activity throughout all the seasons. Nestled within the rolling hills of Exmoor National Park, there are plenty of ways to get active at Wimbleball. With an array of walking and cycling trails winding around the 530 acre site, and a fantastic range of watersports and other activities available, this is the perfect location to spend a day outdoors – whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging expedition.
South West Lakes Trust Booking Confirmation

Thank you for your South West Lakes Trust booking. You’ll receive a confirmation email shortly with details of your booking.
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Self-launch and Launch Membership

Already have your own kit? You can launch your own kayak, canoe, dingy or stand up paddleboard at our lakes! And, if you are a regular visitor, you can even become a member and launch as often as you like at all five activity centres!
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Siblyback, Cornwall

Surrounded by the striking backdrop of Bodmin Moor, Siblyback Lake lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). There is a beautiful 5km round lake circuit, which is perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs and bicycles. The path runs adjacent to the lake, and passes by the impressive Siblyback Dam and through woodlands.F