Fishing in Leicestershire

The midlands county of Leicestershire has an industrial past and is one of several landlocked counties in England. It also has a long tradition of agricultural commerce and its associated pursuits. With a varied landscape, Leicestershire is home to many rivers, lakes, and other watercourses used as fisheries and offers a great choice of carp, fly, and pike fishing in some surprisingly tranquil locations.

Recommended Fishing Lakes in Leicestershire

City centre angling facilities aren’t much better than the lakes managed by Red Circle Angling Club, which sits in Leicester. Doubling as a nature reserve, the waters are a surprisingly beautiful and tranquil place to fish that you would not know in a built-up area had you not travelled to it and offers a good head of sizeable carp and many other coarse species.

Frisby Lakes

Frisby Lakes Fishery, close to the small town of Asfordby, is a 48-acre former gravel pit that has benefited recently from a change of management. Easy to reach – as are most fisheries in the county – the water is home to carp up to 32lbs-plus, pike of 10lbs and more, 15lb Zander, and good-sized tench, perch, bream, and other coarse fish. Day tickets are available, and this is one fishery with good facilities, including showers and toilets, and changes are afoot to make 90% of the pegs accessible to disabled persons. If you are after a great days fishing in Leicestershire, then you must try this fishery.

Willows Farm Fishing

Willows Farm Fishing is a popular lake and river destination near Syston on the edge of Leicester, making it easy to reach by road. A rural setting gives this quiet and comfortable fishery a perfect ambience, and the lake is constantly re-stocked and has carp of more than 20 lbs.

Peating Pools

Situated in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, Peatling Pools is an ideal destination for enthusiastic Carp anglers. The venue comprises three pools, each featuring unique elements such as reeds, lilies, and mature trees.

Every pool offers a selection of roomy pegs, with several specifically designed for easy access by disabled and elderly anglers. The two largest and most sought-after pools are Malcolm Pool and Magna Pool, both of which are home to an impressive variety of Bream, Tench, Roach, and Carp. Nevertheless, the smaller Parva Pool provides an equally enjoyable fishing experience, occasionally revealing unexpected catches.

Lakeside Sporting

Worth taking the time to visit is Lakeside Sporting Fishing Lakes, where day tickets allow for fishing on two lakes, one exclusively carp and the other coarse fish. Located in beautiful countryside with facilities including a café, toilets, and an on-site gun shop and country clothing provider, specimen carp of more than 30lbs are present in the main lake along with plenty in the 20lbs-plus range.

Grand Union canal

The Grand Union Canal in Leicestershire offers a unique and enjoyable angling experience for novice and experienced anglers. This historic waterway passes through the beautiful Leicestershire countryside, providing a serene environment for a day of fishing. The canal is home to diverse fish species, making it an attractive destination for coarse fishing enthusiasts. It is one of the best canals in the East Midlands and has such beautiful surroundings.

Carp Fishing in Leicestershire

Carp fishing is a popular pastime in the midland county of Leicestershire, and you may be surprised at the quality of the fisheries in this landlocked county. With many rivers, former gravel pits, reservoirs, and ponds offering fishing facilities, there is plenty of opportunity whether you are looking for local fisheries or travelling to find a carp lake.

Lakeview Lodge Fishing Lake adjoins a luxurious lodge that can be hired for holidays and is a small 2-acre lake with just four swims. Designed for use by no more than three anglers at a time, it is surrounded by beautiful mature trees and makes for an excellent fishing experience in a unique setting. Next door is a larger coarse fishery run by the same management, and fishing here comes with the price of the lodge. This fishery is highly recommended for those looking for a quiet and calm place to enjoy their hobby.

Belvior Lakes: The glorious grounds of Belvoir Castle, not far from Grantham, include three fishing opportunities: the Belvoir Lakes, consisting of a 12-acre lake and a ¼ acre pond, each of which is typical estate lakes; the 40-acre Knipton Reservoir, which is nothing short of stunning in terms of location, and the Memorial Fishing Lakes which have just undergone extensive renovation and were originally for private fishing.

Conceived by the great landscape expert Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown more than 200 years ago, this spectacular location of the Memorial Lakes is now open to the public for the first time. All fishing lakes are well-stocked with quality, good-sized carp, and day ticket fishing is available.

Eye Kettleby Lakes: Close to the town of Frisby is Eye Kettleby Lakes, where you can hire a lodge to stay in, park a touring caravan, or buy a day ticket and fish on one of the many lakes in this spectacular and beautiful holiday destination. Carp over 20lbs are plentiful, with larger examples in the two specimen lakes that make for challenging fishing. There are also some specimen carp that are now over 30lb each.

Spring Grange Fisheries: Situated in Beeby, around 8 miles from Leicester, Spring Grange Fisheries features two roughly 1-acre lakes within 5 acres of picturesque Leicestershire countryside.

The complex’s original lake, the coarse lake, has been operational since 1978. Primarily stocked with silverfish, it also boasts a healthy carp population. While most carp are in single-figure weights, some double-figure fish are present, with the largest weighing around 15 pounds.

Pike Fishing in Leicestershire

If the pike is your fish of choice pleasure fishing, then there are two unique locations in Leicestershire than will appeal. One is the Grand Union Canal which is known to hold many fine pike and can be fished at several points along its length in the county. Expect good-sized pike here, but also be prepared for a challenge as fishing is not easy.

River Soar

The second pike fishing location we recommend is that of the River Soar, which is famous for good-sized pike and zander and has many stretches that can be fished. It may be worth contacting the shop that posted this video for information on how and where to go.

Fly Fishing in Leicestershire

Leicestershire has plenty to offer the fly fishing and trout enthusiast, with the prime spot being Fly Fish Thornton, which operates on the reservoir of the same name close to Thornton. Popular with experienced anglers and novices, many spots are worth checking out for excellent trout fishing here.

Cropston Angling offers both fly and lure fishing for trout and pike at the 100-acre Cropston Reservoir, located just three miles north of Leicester. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the fishery is managed as a non-profit, members-only venue. Anglers can choose from various membership levels tailored to fit their needs and budget, with fishing available from the bank or boat.

The trout fishing season at Cropston runs from April 1st to October 31st. During this time, members can also fly fish for pike, while conventional pike fishing techniques are permitted in winter. As a private location, the reservoir has no other boating activities and offers dedicated parking areas around the site.

Recommended Fishing Clubs in Leicestershire

There are many notable angling clubs in the county, with Greenhill Angling Club being a popular choice with parents as they allow two free child memberships. With a selection of well-managed waters throughout the county, this club is for beginners or experienced fishing enthusiasts with various levels of challenge available.

One of the premier clubs in Leicestershire is Broome Angling Society which manages no fewer than 17 waters in the county. These include a choice of lakes and ponds across four different complexes, each of which caters to disabled anglers, and all are easy to reach from the main road networks. Broome Angling Society welcomes members of all levels of experience and ages and runs a dedicated juniors lake with tuition provided.