Top Peak District Fishing Venues

Image: Fishing the Peak District.

There are plenty of opportunities for fly and coarse anglers to try their luck in the Peak District. Fishing on many of these lakes and rivers can be seasonal. Opening times, contacts and prices change so please contact the managers of the waters for details.

Angling is not a new pastime in Derbyshire. The seminal book on angling was written here in the Peak District - Isaac Walton and his friend Charles Cotton wrote The Compleat Angler (available here on Amazon) based on their experiences of fishing the river Dove along the length of Dovedale.

Information and advice of fishing with Waggler floats >>.

Barlow Lakes Fishery, Peak District, Derbyshire

Barlow Trout and coarse fishery is situated in 50 acres of land in a secluded valley. It is close to Chesterfield and Sheffield which makes access easy from virtually anywhere in the Peak District, Derbyshire and surrounding counties. There are 4 trout lakes, 4 coarse lakes and a freshwater brook to choose from.

Barlow lakes also offer self catering accommodation and have a camping club site on premises. There is plenty of car parking, disabled access, a log cabin snack bar and toilets. Rod hire is available as is fly fishing tuition. General advice is always freely available.

Blithfield Reservoir

Blithfield is situated to the south west of the region and Casting tuition and advice on fly fishing can be arranged for non-members. Non members may also wish to take out a boat with a friend for a day.

Carsington Reservoir, Nr Ashbourne

Run by Severn Trent Water. There is a visitor centre with restaurant, shops and water sports. This water is suitable for disabled anglers. Boats available.

Erwood Reservoir, Buxton.

A streamfed reservoir, set in the Derbyshire Dales a few miles from Buxton. There is plenty of walking or cycling to be done for non-fishing members of your party. An upland reservoir with challenging fishing and plenty of space. Deep water. Tickets from local tackle shops or visit the Errwood Fly Fishing Club web site for full details.

Holymoorside Dam

Holymoorside is near to Chesterfield in the east of Derbyshire. Night fishing, open all year, suitable for disabled we believe, 1 acre mill pond with bream, Rudd, tench, carp, roach, perch and gudgeon.



Higham Farm

East Derbyshire, south of Clay Cross, Chesterfield. 4 lakes set in a forest, one of the lakes is a specimen lake though all lakes contain big carp, chub, bream and perch. The water is always coloured and is an anglers paradise. The water contains carp, bream, chub and perch.

Ogston Reservoir

Offers game fishing. 200 acre Severn-Trent owned reservoir, stocked in autumn.

Press Manor trout, carp and coarse lake complex, Wingerworth.

3 lakes; A 5 acre trout lake, a 3 acre Carp Lake and 3 acre Coarse lake. In beautiful surroundings set on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Ring in advance for equipment hire and to book professional fishing tuition. This water is suitable for disabled anglers. Rainbow, Brown, Tiger and Brook stocked weekly with fish averaging 1.5lbs.

Rudyard Lake

Near Leek in Staffordshire. Another venue with plenty for non-anglers. Fishing is by day ticket only with the exception of members of The Stoke on Trent Angling Society who are allowed to fish by special arrangement with Rudyard Lake Ltd. Strict rules are in place to ban anyone found fishing without the correct equipment or harming fish and NRA rod licences are required. Further details are available from the Rangers Office located at the Dam Head.

Lamaload Reservoir, Langley, Nr Macclesfield

Day tickets for game fishing obtained from Barlows Fishing Tackle, Bond Street, Macclesfield

Ladybower Fishery (fly), Hope Valley

Ladybower is a 504 acre reservoir set in Peak District countryside. Clear water. Lodge. This water is suitable for disabled anglers.Record fish are Rainbow 17lb 4oz and Brown 11lb 7oz. There are plenty of places to fish from the bank although access to some parts can be restricted when water levels are high. Boats are also available.

Chatsworth Estate - Monsal Dale Fishery

A scenic stretch of river extending for about three quarters of a mile along the Wye. Tickets must be bought in advance.

River Wye, Nr Bakewell

Fishing on a 7 mile stretch of the Lower Wye between Bakewell and Rowsley.

Tittesworth Reservoir, Nr Leek

Forget it, fishing is not permitted.

Bowden Hall Lake

Chapel-en-le-Frith, north west Derbyshire (High Peak). 1.5 acre lake in trees. Managed by Disley and Newmills Angling Club.