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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Melbury

Melbury Reservoir, Bideford, Devon EX39 5PW

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

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.

Good mixed bags over 50lb of roach, rudd, hybrids and quality bream can be expected to pole, float and feeder.

Perch to just under 6lbs have been caught in the past and in the spring and summer the lily pads and weed provide a terrific haven for the fish and great features to fish too.

Fishery Information:

Address: Melbury Reservoir, Nr Parkham, Bideford, EX39 5PW

Fishery Size: 12 acres

Number of Swims: 15

Species: Carp, Bream, Rudd, Roach, Tench, Perch, Eels

Fishing Times: Open all year, from dawn until dusk for day tickets

Day Permits: Available online from this website

Season Permits: South West Lakes Trust 01566 771930

Contact: 01288 321262

Click here for Melbury Reservoir and South West Water Rules

Find the full price list here

Venue Records:

Common Carp: 29lb
Mirror Carp: 29lb
Bream: 7lb
Perch: 4lb
Eel: 4lb
Roach: 3lb
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:

Melbury Reservoir facilities include; car park, wheelchair friendly access and toilets

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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.
Lower Slade

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.
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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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.
Visit the Lakes

Venture around the beautiful lakes of the South West by foot, bike and paw; explore miles of footpaths and trails, whilst taking a moment to appreciate the peaceful beauty of water, woodland and forestry. The lakes are an idyllic setting for a family day out in Cornwall, Devon and on Exmoor. Partake in a spot of adventure off the water; there are plenty of fantastic things to do as a family, and some of the best, most memorable days cost absolutely nothing (except a small car parking charge!