Fishing In Kent

Often referred to as ‘the garden of England, ’ Kent is a beautiful county with many open spaces and wonderful rivers. Fishing is popular in plenty of locations across the county on rivers, lakes, and other waterways, and there are several good angling clubs and great fisheries.

Recommended Fisheries in Kent

Established in 1991, Mid Kent Fisheries now manages 22 fishing lakes and is considered a premium fishery in the county. Chartham Lake, close to the town of the same name and easily reached by road, is the latest addition to the portfolio and appeals to the coarse angler with its good head of carp up to 22lbs, plus sizeable bream, roach and other coarse fish. The long-established Coningbrook Lake is a challenging water, yet carp above 40 lbs is a draw for anglers across the country.

Thameside Works Angling & Preservation Society (TWAPS) is an established club that looks after six fisheries, each in tranquil locations yet easy to reach. Cobham Lakes is among the portfolio and offers excellent coarse fishing in a historical setting with a good head of carp on each of the two fishing lakes. Kingfisher Angling & Preservation Society manages a selection of excellent fisheries, including Hoo, where the fishing lakes are stocked with carp over 30 lbs and many other coarse species. The society also offers fishing from the banks of a stretch of the river Medway and other river locations.

Stones Fishing Lakes is a family-run facility with a choice of fishing lakes in a beautiful spot on the Isle of Sheppey. With carp up to 40lbs and catfish above 45lbs, this fishery is an excellent facility for the coarse angler with excellent facilities, and day or half-day tickets are available. Hartley Lands Fishery offers idyllic surroundings in Cranbrook, with six fishing lakes and a small pond. Each is stocked with coarse species, mostly common carp and Bramley Lake is a specimen lake offering carp getting close to 40 lbs. With all the lakes on one side and full toilet and shower facilities, this is a popular fishery with locals and anglers from further afield.

Orchard Place Farm Fishing is notable for the location alone, a glorious Kent countryside spot yet just a few miles from Maidstone. With 12 lakes, each well-stocked with sizeable carp of up to 50 lbs in some of the waters and catfish of 100 lbs; this is a must-see venue for the determined angler.

Monks Lakes: Monks Lakes is a well-known fishing spot in the Kent countryside. This beautiful venue boasts four well-stocked fishing lakes containing various fish species, such as carp, tench, bream, roach, rudd, and perch, and a specimen carp lake. The area around monk lakes is surrounded by lush greenery and trees, providing a serene and calm environment that anglers can relish. The venue has all the necessary amenities, including toilets, parking, and a café, to ensure a comfortable and hassle-free fishing experience.

Monks Lakes welcomes anglers of all skill levels throughout the year, from sunrise to sunset, and night fishing is also an option. The lakes are maintained regularly, and the fish are kept healthy and in excellent condition. In addition to fishing, the venue holds various events and competitions throughout the year, such as matches and charity events. Monks Lakes is a favorite spot for anglers of all ages and skill levels.

Carp Fishing in Kent

The beautiful landscape of Kent, one of the most picturesque counties in England, lends itself perfectly to carp fishing. With many wonderfully tranquil locations to enjoy fishing in, coarse anglers can pick and choose from some of the best facilities in the UK.

Hartley Lands Fishery, within easy reach of the attractive town of Cranbrook, is one of the most popular in the county and features six lakes and a smaller pond. Each of the waters is within the same facility, and the variety of fishing makes this an attractive choice for pleasure anglers, novices and experienced anglers. Henniker is the small pond with only two swims and just ten carp between 20 and 30 lbs, while Reservoir is heavily stocked with carp more than 20 lbs and other coarse species. Facilities include a toilet and shower block and convenient parking.

Cackle Hill Lakes features two specimen lakes and a mixed lake, each stocked with good-sized carp, some nearing 40 lbs. The mixed lake is a beautiful small lake famous for its family of kingfishers, and while the fish are smaller, it is a glorious place to spend time fishing. Cackle Hill has excellent facilities, including a tackle shop, a sizeable café with a good hot food menu, and a shower and toilet block.

The picturesque and popular Hawkhurst Fish Farm is within the town of the same name and easily reached by road. A well-managed fishery with various lakes – including dedicated waters for junior enthusiasts – facilities on site includes a café, a tackle shop, toilets, and an aquatic supplies shop, among other outlets. The Main Lake is well-stocked with a record carp of 41 lbs and catfish over 80 lbs, making this a lake for the experienced angler.

Pike Fishing in Kent

If the challenge of fishing for pike is what you are searching for, there are several options in Kent. One of the most popular is the long-established Mid Kent Fisheries. Managing no fewer than 22 lakes, each with its unique properties, this extensive collection of fisheries is among the finest in the UK. Westbere Lake, close to Fordwich, is regarded as one of the best coarse fishing lakes in the region, and pike of 30 lbs are known to inhabit the water.

Bewl Water is a mixed activities facility, one of which is predator fishing from the bank or boat of the water. Pike reach a good size and offer a welcome challenge to the experienced angler. Facilities include an impressive café, toilets, and camping sites for extended stays. Bromley and District Angling Society manages a collection of waters, including a stretch of the River Darent, a challenging pike location requiring stealth for success.

Fly Fishing in Kent

The Garden of England, as Kent is otherwise known, offers some truly beautiful lakes and perfect destinations for fly fishing. Tenterden Trout Waters may be the perfect example of a fly-fishing destination. With five acres of water to fish and facilities, including a lodge with a kitchen and complimentary hot drinks, the mature lakes are frequently stocked and contain trout up to 12 lbs.

Chaleybeate Springs is stream-fed water day ticket fishery set in a genuinely tranquil location open to day ticket holders and is well stocked with rainbow and brown trout. Other notable fly fishing locations include Springhill Trout Waters, which features three lakes with quality trout fishing available, and Millan Waters in North Kent, which is a member-only syndicate facility that is long established and features a loyal membership.

Kent Fishing Clubs

NameAddressWebsiteFB
Canterbury and District Angling Association31 Riversdale; 14 Mill Road Sturry Canterbury Kent CT2 0AF UKWebsite
Cinque Ports Angling Society2 Chestnut Terrace, Dymchurch Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 6LSWebsite
Dartford & District Angling and Preservation SocietyLake House 2 Walnut Tree Avenue Dartford Kent DA1 1LJ UKWebsite
Cranbrook and District Angling ClubPO Box 560 Staplehurst Tonbridge Kent TN9 9LH UKWebsite
Dover Sea Angling Association14 Priory Road, Dover, Kent CT17 9RGWebsite
Holmesdale Angling ClubChipstead Village Sevenoaks Kent TN13 2RZ UKWebsite
Herne Bay Angling AssociationHerne Bay Kent CT6 5JG UKWebsite
Kemsley Community Angling and Preservation Society32 Kingsmill Close Sittingbourne Kent ME10 2AY UKWebsite
Kingfisher Angling and Preservation SocietyContact Roger Kiddie 20 Whitehill Road Gravesend Kent DA12 5PG UKWebsite
Orpington & District Angling AssociationODAA Ltd PO Box 689 Orpington Kent BR5 2XX UKWebsite
Pittlands Lakes Angling ClubChurn Lane Horsmonden Tonbridge Kent TN12 8HL UKWebsite
Tonbridge & District Angling & Fish Preservation SocietyPO Box 131 Tonbridge Kent TN11 8WB UKWebsite