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

SW Lakes Weekly Trout Fishery Round Up - W/E 21 March

DAY AND SEASON PERMITS

Permit rooms are closed until further notice. Please purchase your day and season permits here or call 01566 771930.

RAINBOWS CATCH AND RELEASE LIMIT:

Polite reminder: the catch and release limit is 10 fish per day – please can anglers ensure that they do not catch more than this. You're welcome to buy another ticket and continue fishing if you want to catch more than 10 in a day.

Highlights of last week were:

Colliford unbelievable sport! 104 fish for 16 rods with fish to 2lbs!
Fernworthy – great start to the season with rod average of 3.5 fish per person and 50% full bags
G Hext caught 10 Rainbows at Siblyack to 3lb 1oz
Burrator’s consistent sport with a rod average of 4.4 per person

Picture: a thumping Colliford brown for Rodney Wevill

BOATS

We currently have four boats available at Kennick, three at Roadford and one at Stithians. The two boats for Siblyback will be available soon.

To book a boat for the fisheries please click here.

Kennick

Great week at Kennick with a rod average of 3.6 per angler.

Rod Average: 3.60 fish per person

Best Locations: Forest Bay, Boat Bay, Oak Tree Point and Clampitts

Best Flies: Montanas, blobs, diawl bachs, booby’s, nomad

Best Bag: 9 Rainbows for D Yarnold

Check out the Kennick fishing map here

The Kennick fishing guide is here

Siblyback

Really good fishing again last week at Siblyback and well worth a visit.

Rod Average: 2.12 fish per person

Best Locations: Stocky Bay, North Shore

Best Flies: Montanas, damsels, orange blob, cats whisker

Best Bag: G Hext 10 rainbows

Best Fish: A 3lb 1oz Rainbow for G Hext

Read our guide to fishing at Siblyback here

Check out our Siblyback fishing map here

Burrator

Action at Burrator last week – really consistent good sport.

Rod Average: 4.4 fish per person

Best Locations: Longstone and Discovery Bank

Best Flies: Montanas, nomad, Kennick killer, booby’s, blue flash lure

Best Bag: A Lawson and B Prout with 12 Rainbows each

Read our guide to fishing at Burrator here

Check out our Burrator fishing map here

Stithians

Steady fishing at Stithians last week, fish well spread and a large variety of flies working.

Rod Average: 1.53 fish per person

Best Locations: Goonlaze Bay, North Bank, Sailing Club Bay, Cottage Point, Sluice Bank Shallow Bay and Dam Bank/Pipe Bay

Best Flies: Orange blob, booby’s, damsel, hot head, buzzers

Best Fish: A 2lb 4oz Rainbow for Warren Chegwidden

Read our guide to fishing at Stithians here

Check out our Stithians fishing map here

Fernworthy

Great start at Fernworthy last week – really encouraging for the season ahead.

Rod Average: 3.5 fish per person

Best Locations: Thornworthy Bank

Best Flies: Bibio hopper, damsels

Best Fish: A 1lb 4oz for Gary Strickland

Best Bag: Gary Strickland with 9 fish

Read our guide to fishing at Fernworthy here

Check out our Fernworthy fishing map here

Colliford

Absolutely spectacular fishing at Colliford last week –what a start to the season!!

Rod Average: 6.5 fish per person

Best Locations: All over

Best Flies: Spiders, bibio, foam beetles, cruncher, diawl bach, tadpole, zonker

Best Fish: A 2lb for Dean Boucher

Best Bag: Roger Truscott with just over 20 fish

Read our guide to fishing at Colliford here

Check out our Colliford fishing map here

Roadford

Slow start for Roadford last week but with the forecast for the week ahead I would expect some more productive fishing this week.

Rod Average: 0.85 fish per person

Best Locations: Shop and North Gaddacombe Point

Best Flies: Olive damsel, B&P spider, soldier palmer

Best Fish: 1lb for 3 different anglers

Best Bag: Rodney Wevill with 3 fish

Read our guide to fishing at Roadford here

Check out our Roadford fishing map here

NEWS…….here is our 2021 pre-season trout fishing newsletter

All the best for the week ahead.

Ben Smeeth

Latest

Earth Day 2024

Monday 22 April is Earth Day! The theme for 2024, ‘planet vs plastic’, is aiming to raise awareness about plastic use worldwide and to ultimately reduce plastic use by 60% by 2050. Dartmoor Biodiversity Officer Morwenna discusses the use of plastic tree guards in our work, when they are necessary and how they can be substituted.
Locals month

We are offering 25% off equipment hire in May to our local community as a thank you for your continued support.
Trout Fisheries March Report

Generally the weather for the opening month has been both mixed and challenging to anglers, with strong winds, rain, snow and hail, and cold temperatures. Fish have been feeding throughout the water column, with some already starting to feed near the surface, and many have been caught using floating line tactics. The very wet winter means that the water levels are full.
World Water Day 2024

Friday 22 March 2024 is the United Nations World Water Day! Dartmoor Biodiversity Officer Morwenna explains some of the projects she’s working on with South West Water to improve water quality at our lakes and reservoirs.

Trout Fisheries March Report

Generally the weather for the opening month has been both mixed and challenging to anglers, with strong winds, rain, snow and hail, and cold temperatures. Fish have been feeding throughout the water column, with some already starting to feed near the surface, and many have been caught using floating line tactics. The very wet winter means that the water levels are full.
Rainbow Waters Opening Weekend Report

The new season is now firmly under way at the South West Lakes Trust trout fisheries, with the Rainbow waters opening on 3 March (with prior preview days for season ticket holders), and Brown Trout due to open on 15 March.
South West Fly Fair returns to Roadford Lake 25 February 2024

The South West Fly Fair makes a welcome return to Roadford Lake on Sunday 25 February.
South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries December Report

As temperatures fell over the month (with snow for a few days), fishing became more challenging for those brave anglers who ventured out
South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries November Report

Autumn weather conditions have brought winds and heavy rain, with most of the reservoirs now full, and Roadford and Colliford water levels on the rise.
South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries October Report

A mixed month weather-wise again, which included a warm dry week early in the month, followed by a sudden drop in temperatures, bringing conditions back to the seasonal norm. Water levels remain low at many lakes, although they have now at last begun to slowly refill.
SW Lakes Weekly Trout Fisheries Round Up - W/E 8th October

A summary of last week's fishing across the South West lakes Trout Fisheries.
SW Lakes Weekly Trout Fisheries Round Up - W/E 24th September

It’s been a tricky and quiet couple of weeks across the fisheries but last week showed signs of picking up.
South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries September Report

A mixed month weather-wise again, which included one of the hottest, driest recorded September weeks at the beginning of the month, along with some breezy days with showers and cooler winds. Water levels are still generally low, with many lakes still under 70% full.
South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries August Report

The weather was mixed throughout August, with a mixture of wind and rain as well as some warm humid days with the occasional thunderstorm, interspersed with some bright sunny days. Generally water levels continued to fall, although at a fairly slow rate.

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!
Wimbleball Campsite

Experience a family camping holiday like no other at Wimbleball Lake, nestled in the hills of Exmoor National Park. Create the ultimate camping break packed with adventure, creating lasting memories for the whole family.
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.
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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