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 SW Lakes 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.

Please note at this time our Permit Rooms are closed. Season and Day Permits are available online or by calling 01566 771930 only

Coarse fishing in the South West:

We regularly hold carp and match competitions at Upper Tamar Lake with prize money exceeding £3500. You can book your day or 24 hour tickets, which are available year-round via our online booking system. Season permits are available on 01566 771930.

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

SW Lakes Fishing is managed by South West Lakes Trust.

Reporting an Incident:

If you notice any incidents which may be of concern during your visit, including poaching, we would be very grateful if you could complete the short form at the following link, which will help us build a picture of incidents that impact on your fishing, enabling us to address them more effectively over time. Thank you.

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Lower Slade

Slade Reservoir, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 8NA

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Fishery Information
Fishery Map
Venue Records
Directions
Check, Clean, Dry
Facilities

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.

Lower Slade is stocked with mirror and common carp to 27lb, bream to 8lb, perch to over 4lb, roach to 3lb and pike to 27lb.

The deep treeline margins mean you can catch fish under your rod tips and there is also plenty of weed along the dam end of the lake where the carp and pike like to hide.

Fishery Information:

Address: Slade Reservoir, Slade Valley Road, Ilfracombe, EX34 8NA

Fishery Size: 6 acres

Number of Swims: 20

Species: Carp, bream, tench, roach, rudd, perch, pike

Fishing Times: Open all year, dawn until dusk

Day Permits: Available online or from South West Lakes Trust 01566 771930

Season Permits: South West Lakes Trust 01566 771930

Contact: 01288 321262

Click here for Lower Slade Reservoir and South West Water Rules

Find the full price list here

Venue Records:

Common Carp: 26.08lb
Mirror Carp: 26lb
Bream: 8lb
Pike: 27lb
Perch: 4lb
Eel: 5lb
Roach: 3lb 8oz
Rudd: 1lb

Directions:

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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:

Lower Slade Reservoir facilities include; car park and toilets and is a dog friendly fishery

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Upper Tamar

Upper Tamar Lake, nestled on the Devon and Cornwall border, is the perfect spot for your next angling adventure, voted the second best still water coarse fishery in the UK in 2019! There are three miles of bank to be explored and several bays and attractive marginal areas, which produce plenty of great sport and some lovely peace and quiet.
Argal

Located on the outskirts of Penryn in Cornwall, Argal Reservoir has a National reputation for being one of the leading fisheries in the South West with many of the carp having been re-located from the prolific College Reservoir many years ago.
Porth

Porth Reservoir, set in a steep sided valley surrounded by woodlands just outside Newquay, is a beautiful destination for your next fishing escape. This Cornish coarse fishery is very mature with overhanging treelines and large beds of lily pads and weed.
Lower Tamar

Lower Tamar is a stunning coarse fishery and holds specimen fish of each species. It’s the perfect place if you’re looking for some peace and quiet and great fishing. The lake is shallow with around nine to ten foot maximum depth with 15 swims to choose from.
Squabmoor

Squabmoor fishery is simply beautiful. Situated on Woodbury Common, which is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), this scenic Devon fishery offers 15 immaculate swims for you to choose from. The shallow end of the reservoir has an attractive area of lily pads which the carp in particular love to patrol.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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Tender Opportunity: Upper Tamar Lake Café

An exciting opportunity has arisen to operate the café at Upper Tamar Lake, situated within a short distance from the north coast of Cornwall and Devon.
Join the team

Current vacancies
SW Lakes Weekly Trout Fishery Round Up - W/E 21 February 2021

Our first full week of fishing has passed at Kennick and Siblyback. The fishing was mixed last week as many anglers battled with the constant wind and rain! The forecast this week is looking really nice – I expect the fishing to match the weather!
SW Lakes Weekly Trout Fishery Round Up - W/E 14 February 2021

We opened Siblyback and Kennick on Friday 12 for season permit holders and it was great to see some hardy anglers braving the conditions! The forecast for this week ahead is looking very good for fishing and we stocked a lot of fish into both the lakes so expect some cracking sport.
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Roadford Lake, Devon

Roadford Lake sits within the stunning surroundings of the Wolf Valley, close to Launceston on the Cornwall border. One of the biggest and busiest inland waters in the South West, the lake is surrounded by a variety of natural habitats, including Culm Grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards.
What we do

We are dedicated to the protection of the natural environment found at our lakes and are passionate about people from all walks of life being able to benefit from the wonderful countryside around our lakes. From walking and cycling to angling and watersports, we offer fantastic opportunities for great days out and regular visits for health and well-being, discovering and exploring at lakes across the south west of England.
Our impact

We believe engaging with the natural environment enables people to grow. Our purpose is to protect special places for people and wildlife. Our mission is more people having great experiences.
Burrator, Devon

The jewel of Dartmoor, Burrator encompasses dramatic tors, open moorland, historic settlements and a Nature Reserve. Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, Burrator Reservoir offers a unique day out for families, nature enthusiasts, historians and Dartmoor lovers alike.