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

South West Lakes Trust Trout Fisheries December Report

SWLT's rainbow trout waters stay open until the end of December.

As temperatures fell over the month (with snow for a few days), fishing became more challenging for those brave anglers who ventured out. Burrator produced some reasonable fishing, with anglers averaging 1.8 fish per rod – most of these were caught off the banks at Longstone and Bennetts, with Blue Damsels, Black and Yellow lures, and Olive Damsels catching the fish on intermediate and sinking lines.

Season’s best fish and summary:

Kennick – 4lb rainbow, caught by Graham Roberts on 10th October, fishing deep from a boat off Hawthorn Point. The Peninsula Classic individual bank competition (25th June) was won by Alex Venn, with a bag of three fish weighing in at 6lb 8oz, while the pairs competition (on 14th May) was won by Alec Hoare and James Friendship (catching a bag of ten fish weighing in at 21lb 2oz);

Siblyback – 4lb 9oz rainbow, caught by Martin Stevens on 28th April. The annual Snowbee team bank competition (on 2nd April) was won by the Roche Angling Club (Tony Chipman, Dave Perks, Pete Williams, and John Huckings) with a joint bag of twenty one fish weighing in at 32lb 7oz;

Burrator – 4lb rainbow, caught by Paul Avery on 6th April, one of five fish caught while fishing in the top three feet of water from a float tube using a slow, stripped retrieve;

Stithians – 4lb rainbow, caught by Roger Clark (from Truro) in mid June;

Fernworthy – 2lb 8oz brown trout caught by Rodney Wevill on 6th April;

Colliford – 45cm brown trout caught by Daniel Gilbert – one of nine fish caught using a Soldier Palmer, on 1st July;

Roadford – 3lb 5oz brown trout, caught by Jamie Gilman (from Plympton) using a beetle pattern, fishing from the dam area on 14th May.

 

Please see website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events. 

 

Chris Hall (December 2023)

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