Trout FishingWe 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 Waters Prices Competitions and Events News and Results Catch Returns About us Contact Waters Roadford Lake Roadford Lake, between Okehampton and Launceston, Devon PL16 0JL Buy a Ticket Fishery Information Latest Catch Reports Complete your Catch Return Perch Fishing Opportunity Directions Fishery Map Report an Incident Set in the rolling Devon hills on the edge of Dartmoor, Roadford offers more than 700 acres of brown trout fishing to explore by boat or bank. Different natural habitats surround the lake, including Culm grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards, which provide beautiful scenery. A variety of little bays and inlets make fishing at Roadford appealing throughout the season. Roadford is one of the best brown trout fisheries in the UK, providing outstanding fishing in the past few seasons, particularly by boat; there have been multiple catches of 30+ fish by boat in a single day. Numerous fish over 5lb have been caught and released with specimens to just under 7lb in the past few seasons. The best sport has been boat fishing over the aeration pipes in mid-season and towards the bank in the early season, taking advantage of the food and shelter the submerged vegetation provides. Roadford also has good hatches of hawthorn flies in May which provide terrific dry fly fishing. The majority of fish are stocked at 7-10 inch but we do stock fish up to 2lbs. Boats are available for hire, but booking is essential to avoid disappointment. For more information click here. Please note that you will need to attend a boat safety and induction talk before you can use a fishing boat on our waters. Self-launch for float-tubing and kayak fishing is available – please contact the staff on site and read our float tubing guidelines below. Roadford is available for day or season permits, but why not try our special ‘Castabout’ season permit which covers all our stocked brown trout waters (Colliford, Fernworthy, Roadford, Wistlandpound)? In 2021 we started to build data on how many of the fish caught are stocked and how many fish have been previously stocked or are wild fish that have spawned in Roadford or its tributaries. Find out more here. CLICK HERE FOR AN ANGLERS' GUIDE TO ROADFORD LAKE Perch Fishing Opportunity Roadford is open for perch fishing throughout the season (15 March - 12 October). The 730 acre water has a large head of perch, and some real specimens; fish over 3lbs have been caught. It is the ‘unknown mystery’ that makes this opportunity so appealing – the potential of a real monster uncaught stripey! During 2019 (first year of perch fishing), there were multiple catches of perch which were over 2lbs. Perch fishing is by boat only, which can be booked on 01566 771930 or online at a cost of £17.50 for the day. Day tickets are £10 per person per day and available from the activity and angling centre. Oars are provided. Please read our perch fishing rules here. Fishery Information Address: Roadford Lake, Near Okehampton, Devon. PL16 0JL Species: Brown Trout Season Date: 15 March – 12 October Fishing Methods: Fly Fishing Only Day Permits: Available online or by calling South West Lakes on 01566 771930 Season Permits: Available online or by calling South West Lakes on 01566 771930 Boat Bookings: Available online. Please note that you will need to watch a boat safety and induction video before you can use a fishing boat on our waters. A link to this will be included in your booking confirmation email. Float tubing: Float tube permits are available to purchase online alongside your permit for £5 per day. View our Float Tubing Good Practise Guidelines Fishery Size: 738 acres Best Flies: Soldier Palmer, Tadpole, Bibio, Squinky, Spiders Biggest Fish: 8lb 4oz Contact: 01409 211507 Click here for the trout fishing rules FIND SEASON DATES AND PRICES HERE Tuition: Tim Smith: 07527211370, 01726 882210 [email protected] DS Fly Fishing: [email protected] dsflyfishing.co.uk Dave Matthews, 01566 880117, 07583206010, [email protected] Latest Catch Reports: These catch reports are only possible if you fill in a catch return roadford_weekly_catch_report_7th_april.pdf roadford_weekly_catch_report_31st_march.pdf Directions: BOOK NOW Searching Availability... Continue to Secure Booking System » 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: Roadford Lake facilities include: cafe, car park, toilet and showers. Manage Cookie Preferences