Fishing in Lancashire

The historic county of Lancashire occupies a large part of the North West of England. Once an industrial area with mills in practically every town, Lancashire offers a widely varying landscape influenced by the Pennines, which the county breaches to the east. With many rivers and waters, Lancashire is a prime county for quality fisheries, with many to choose from.

Angling clubs

Angling clubs within Lancashire include Blackpool and Layton Angling Society, which dates back to 1905. The club manages four regional fisheries, each with lakes stocked with a good head of sizeable carp. Number 4 Pond also houses what the club describes as ‘massive eels.’ With well-managed waters, this is a member-only club.

Colne Water Angling Club is a long-established group that fishes, among other waters, on a stretch of the picturesque River Colne in the Colne Valley. Day tickets are available in limited numbers for fishing on the Colne and on the two reservoirs, the club manages, which are regularly stocked with brown and rainbow trout.

The Pendle, Burnley and District Angling Association controls 5 coarse fishery waters where carp greater than 30lbs can be landed, 10lbs pike and other coarse fish. The club also manages a beautiful and tranquil stretch of the River Calder where day ticket holders can fish for chub, dace, and other coarse fish.

Coarse fishing

As far as a choice of fisheries goes, Lancashire fishing has plenty of options. Mere Lane Fishery is – like most destinations in Lancashire – easily reached by the main road network, which includes the M6 motorway that dissects the county. With four well-stocked coarse fishing lakes with carp approaching 30 lbs, bream up to 9 lbs, and many other fish species, this is an attractive established fishery set in a quiet spot. The Specimen Lake is also home to Percy the Sturgeon, who weighs in at 33lbs. There are dedicated pegs for the disabled on each lake.

A private member-only fishery, Manor House Fishery offers four ponds, each stocked with good-sized carp, roach, bream, and others. If a membership is what you are looking for in Lancashire, Manor House is a good choice. With six waters and a beautiful and tranquil location, Woodfold Fisheries is also a member-only club, and the Fyldeview Water is the one for bigger fish, with carp reaching 20 lbs.

Beacon Fell Country Park, located in Lancashire, England, is a beautiful and serene location that offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including fishing. Covering over 270 acres, the park consists of woodland, moorland, and meadows, providing a picturesque setting for a day of angling.

Charity Farm Fisheries, situated in the picturesque countryside of Lancashire, England, is a popular stocked coarse fishery destination for anglers of all levels. The fishery is part of a working farm and camping site, offering a variety of outdoor activities and accommodation options for visitors looking to enjoy a longer stay. Each lake is designed with anglers in mind, featuring comfortable and well-spaced pegs that cater to different fishing styles and preferences. The lakes are also easily accessible, with ample parking available for visitors.

Carp Fishing in Lancashire

Lancashire, as we know it now is far smaller than the county once, was, as the major cities of Liverpool and Manchester no longer fall within its boundaries. The nature of the landscape and the many rivers make Lancashire a good choice for carp fisheries, some of which occupy quite beautiful spots.

Oak Royal is a golf course and fishery combined with fishing via a syndicate. The specimen lake has been stocked with 60 carp up to 25lbs and all over 11lbs. A quiet and pleasant place to fish, it can be found not far from Chorley off Bury Lane.

With an adjacent caravan, holiday home park, and a bar and restaurant, the Wyre Parks Fishery is home to three well-stocked lakes, two open to day ticket holders. The landscaped facility is attractive, and the Quarry and Wharf Lakes are the two for visitors. Quarry Lake is the one to fish for bigger specimens, with carp between 10lbs and 30lbs often landed. You can find Wyre Parks close to the town of Scorton.

Whitmore Fishing Lakes is not far from Preston, another with an adjacent caravan site. This vast facility is one of the premier fisheries in the northwest, with no fewer than 12 waters under its management. Lakes include The Doughnut with its distinctive central island and carp up to 18lbs. The Basin is one for those seeking bigger fish with 27lbs carp, while the Club Canal is perfect for all anglers, from young and novices to the more experienced. Facilities include dedicated disabled pegs, visitor parking, and a café and toilet facilities within the fishery.

Clear Water Fisheries is a must for anglers seeking bigger catches, with five waters to choose from, including Keer Lake, where there are at least three 40lbs-plus carp and many in the 30lbs range as catfish up to 60lbs. Kents Bank is another of the waters at Clear Water. Each is managed with a strict stocking policy, where carp over 20lbs are readily landed and they ensure good stocks of fish are put in. Day tickets are available to fish at Kents Bank while Kennet Lake and Penner’s pool are 48-hour tickets only at weekends.

Pike Fishing in Lancashire

If the challenge of the mighty pike is what you are seeking, then Lancashire has a few locations in which you may land your prize. Wyreside Lakes permits pike fishing on four of its waters and is a pleasant and well-managed fishery. The pike are established and mature and reach excellent weights.

The Pike Angler’s Club manages a stretch of the Lancaster Canal from the canal’s southern end to Bridge 118. Beyond that, the canal is managed by a different angling club. The PAC is dedicated to pike fishing and has a thriving membership.

Fly Fishing in Lancashire

An abundance of picturesque rivers and natural waters makes Lancashire a prime county for fly fishing enthusiasts. Shireburn Arms Hotel lists many fisheries close to the establishment, making an ideal place to stay for a fishing holiday. Fisheries in the region include Barnsfold Waters where day ticket holders can fish from the bank or a boat and take away up to four rainbow trout caught, depending on the ticket. Toilet facilities are on-site and disabled anglers catered for.

Kilnsey Park is a picturesque trout fishery with two lakes containing trout as big as 20lbs, with facilities including a café, tackle shop, and fish preparation services. Not far from Lancaster is Bank House Fly Fishery where a series of islands have been carefully created in the lake, offering excellent fly fishing in a tranquil setting. A rainbow trout of more than 23lbs is the record fish caught on the lake. This is a great fly fishery.

Also of interest is The Rising Fishery which offers a choice of three ponds in a lovely setting with mixed coarse fish of good sizes, plus full facilities for the disabled, for newcomers, and a café and toilets. 

Fishing Clubs in Lancashire

NameAddressWebsiteFB
Kirkby Stephen and District Angling AssociationKirkby Stephen Lancashire UKWebsite
Pendle Burnley & District Anglers Association26 Stansfield Street Burnley Lancashire BB11 5DUWebsite
Wyre Parks FisheryFoxhouses Park Long Lane Scorton Lancashire PR3 1DB UKWebsite
Wigan District Angling AssociationHeapey Reservoirs, Heapey, Lancashire,Website
Mitre Angling ClubLancashire UK,Website
Chorley Kingfishers Angling ClubSt George’s club, Trinity Road, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 2DWWebsite
Withnell Angling ClubWithnell Lancashire UKWebsite
Ribble Rivers TrustC/O Hanson Cement Ribblesdale Works, West Bradford Rd, Clitheroe, Lancashire BB7 4QFWebsite
Entwistle Fly FishersEntwistle Reservoir BL7 0NFWebsite