Fishing in Herefordshire

The largely agricultural county of Herefordshire in the West Midlands of England is known for its famous cattle breed and cider. With plenty of green spaces it is no surprise that fisheries are plentiful in the county, and many come highly recommended by anglers from the local area as well as those from further afield.

A leading club in the county is Bulmer’s Angling Club which a stretch of the picturesque Rivers Wye and Lugg as well as lakes at its Allensmore fishery. The club is an established one that welcomes members old and young, and the lakes are well-stocked and carefully tended with a good head of carp.

Herefordshire Fly Fishing Club is also a popular established club with some 150 members and organises matches and day fishing at a variety of venues in Herefordshire and adjoining Wales. The club also offers fishing for wild brown trout on a stretch of the River LLynfi and is perhaps best known for its pike fishing enthusiasts.

Ledbury Angling Club is located midway between the towns of Hereford and Ledbury and offers coarse fishing on the pretty and tranquil Ashperton Pool. With 25 pegs including dedicated disabled pegs, it is an attractive lake to fish with a good selection of mixed fish in the water including carp, bream, gudgeon, and roach. Part of the pool is the historic moat that once surrounded Ashperton Castle – now a ruin – of which parts are a Scheduled Historic Monument.

Herefordshire also boasts one of the jewels in the crown of UK fisheries in the shape of Docklow Pools. This stunning facility offers no fewer than 12 lakes, each in a gloriously beautiful setting, and all with fantastic numbers of quality fish. With carp in excess of 30lbs it is attractive enough, yet the Major Bill Lake is considered among the best catfish ponds in the UK with of 70lbs and more.

Other popular lakes include Farmer Jack, Mickey Mouse, and The Snake, plus three new waters added for the 2021 season. Docklow also manages stretches of the Rivers Wye, Lugg, and Teme for added challenges.

The fishery also has lodges and cottages for rent for those with a fishing holiday in mind, plus a full range of facilities including a restaurant and bar.

Carp Fishing in Herefordshire

Herefordshire is home to some magnificent carp fishing venues and among the best is Docklow Pools. This major fishery offers no fewer than 12 lakes within the fishery, as well as offering fishing on stretches of the River Wye, River Lugg, and River Teme.

The beautiful lake named Major Bill covers 7 acres with an island in the middle and is the largest within the facility. A syndicate lake with just 20 members it is open to residents in the lodges and cottages that are available for rent on site. Famous for both 30lbs-plus carp and magnificent 70lbs catfish, this is a challenging yet enjoyable lake that needs you to put in the work to reap the rewards.

Located on the Worcestershire border close to the town of Bishops Frome is Evesbatch Old Lake which occupies a truly beautiful spot that is hard to beat. While lacking facilities, Evesbatch Old Lake does cater for disabled anglers with special pitches. Famous for the quality of the water and the many 25lbs-plus carp – as well as many roach and rudd of good sizes. This is a fishery for one who likes to get back to nature and is replete with local wildlife to enjoy.

Letton Court Fishery is located in the heart of the county and offers fishing on the lake and river within the estate of the same name. It is a beautiful spot and one popular with carp fishermen and women for fish nearing 40lbs, plus others such as 14lbs barbel, 10lbs tench, and salmon of 30lbs and more. There are no dedicated pegs at Letton Court and coarse fishing on the River Wye is also available.

For residents, the private fishing lake at Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park is a wonderful experience with many quality catches, but you do have to be resident to fish on the water.

Pike Fishing in Herefordshire

For many an angler the lure of fishing for the elusive pike is strong. One fishery where pike are plentiful is the aforementioned Letton Court where true monsters of 30lbs and more have been caught.

The River Wye is also a popular water for pike fishing and authority publication Angling Times  has published a piece on how best to fish this unspoilt and beautiful river, which is considered one the best rivers for barbel in the UK.

Fly Fishing in Herefordshire

For the trout enthusiast there are many fly-fishing destinations in Herefordshire, with  Kingfisher Trout Lake among the popular options. With easy access to the 4-acre lake – including for disabled persons – and 20ft deep waters in places this is a wonderful opportunity to cast for trout in a gorgeous location. This all-year lake offers a lodge at the water’s edge where visitors can enjoy tea and coffee, and camping is available on site.

Hereford Fly Fishing Club manages two trout lakes for members who are permitted to bring guests and is a popular and long-established club catering for all ages. Good-sized pike are also present in the lakes adding a challenge for even the most experienced of anglers.

Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Wye Valley in the pretty village of Redbrook is Bigwell Fly Fishery where two spring-fed lakes are the focus. These lakes, with their crystal clear and cold water, also feed two more by overflow and an incoming stream which brings in wild brown trout. Trout of over 5lbs are released into the waters weekly and include blues, rainbows, and tiger. Brown trout must be released. Wheelchair access is provided and there is a warm and comfortable lodge offering food, drinks, and tackle on site.

Fishing Clubs

NameAddressWebsiteFB
Bicton Specimen Angling ClubFlintsham Herefordshire UKWebsite –
Hereford & District Angling AssociationPO BOX 35 Hereford Herefordshire UKWebsiteFB
Hereford Fly Fishing Club1 Tippetts Meadow Kingstone Herefordshire HR2 9HW UKWebsite–
Ross-On-Wye Angling ClubWye View Cottage Hawsley Lydbrook Herefordshire GL17 9SS UKWebsite–