Hooked on Lancashire – an angler`s paradise

Hooked on Lancashire – an angler’s paradise
Clowbridge Reservoir, Rossendale
Whether you are a seasoned pro with rod and line or just starting out, Lancashire’s the place to be for a great
angling break.
The county is an angler’s paradise – whether your sport is coarse or game fishing.
From a relaxing day surrounded by stunning countryside to the thrill of a match competition, angling in Lancashire
provides it all.
And with many of the county’s wonderful fisheries also offering on-site accommodation you can easily combine a
short break with your sport.
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The River Ribble is acclaimed as one of the best fishing rivers in England. There is quality fish to be caught in its
middle and lower reaches – with big barbel and chub waiting to challenge your skills with rod and line.
There are numerous day ticket coarse fisheries along the river, with safe secure parking, where you can catch
anything from roach to monster carp.
The Ribble and its trout and salmon also provide fine sport for game anglers and its main tributary, the Hodder is
well-known for its sea trout.
Further north, sea trout, trout and salmon can be found in both the Lune and the Wyre.
Away from the riverbank Lancashire has some of the finest fisheries in the land, including Stocks Reservoir at the
head of the Hodder Valley – the largest fishery in the north west of England.
For more information on where to go freshwater fishing, license requirements and byelaws regulating fishing visits
log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish or contact the Environment Agency on 0845 9333 111.
Lune Habitat Group
The Lune Habitat Group is an unincorporated, environmental body consisting of volunteers dedicated to the
protection and improvement of the Lune Catchment. The Wenning is an important and beautiful tributary of the
Lune supporting stocks of brown trout, salmon and sea trout. Over the past few years the group has spent over
£30,000 creating riverine habitat zones at Riverside Caravan Park near Bentham, at Staggarth and between
Greystonegill Bridge and the confluence with Keasden Beck (part-funded by the Forest of Bowland Sustainable
Development Fund). These habitat zones help the river’s fish stocks by reducing pollution and by increasing
available food and shelter. For further information, contact the secretary of the Lune Habitat Group, Chris
Littlefield, T:01524 222174
Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust
The Ribble Catchment Conservation Trust is a local environment habitat group set up to help the rivers and
streams of the Ribble Catchment to recover their former condition and provide self sustaining fish stocks once
more. The Ribble Catchment covers more than half of the Forest of Bowland AONB. Completed last year, newly
constructed off-stream spawning channels on the River Dunsop were designed to provide new spawning areas for
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sea trout and salmon, which have lost most of the original spawning grounds on the main river. Both trout and
salmon used the channels last year. For further information contact Stephen Hatton, the Habitat Project Manager
T: 01200 444452, www.ribbletrust.org.uk
Fishing within the Forest of Bowland AONB
The Forest of Bowland AONB has produced a useful leaflet highlighting the diverse range of fishing localities in the
Forest of Bowland area. Copies of this leaflet can be downloaded from the fishing section of visitlancashire.com or
from the publications section of www.forestofbowland.com
Tackle these Lancashire fishing challenges
Cleveley Mere Fishing Lodge, Forton, near Lancaster:
Set in a beautiful private nature reserve, this fantastic trout fly fishery and holiday lodge in the scenic Wyre Valley
offers quality angling and accommodation. The 23-acre lake is regularly stocked with rainbow and brown trout
weighing up to 20lbs and you can fish from bank or boat. The site is also teeming with wildlife, including otters,
deer, kingfishers and buzzards, so don’t forget to pack your binoculars as well as your rod. For more information
visit www.cleveleymere.com
Cleveley Mere has three self catering lodges available to let on weekly or two-day short break sleeping between
two and six people. Accommodation can be booked online at www.visitlancashire.com
Stocks Fly Fishing, Slaidburn:
Stocks Reservoir at the head of the majestic Hodder Valley is the largest fishery in the north west of England.
It offers fly anglers superb quality trout, a setting of spectacular natural beauty and a friendly atmosphere.
There’s a wild, unspoiled quality to Stocks, in the glorious Forest of Bowland. It has 4.5 miles of shoreline to cast
from and a stunning 350 acres of open water to try your luck on.
The fishery has 24 boats available for hire and is home to the North West Fly Fishing Festival.
Stocks Reservoir is open for fishing from March 1 to the end of October. For more information log on to
www.stocksreservoir.com
Wyreside Lake Fisheries, Bay Horse, near Lancaster:
This is the place for coarse fishermen and women – eight lakes providing an angling challenge for pros and novices
alike. Set in over 120 acres of farmland on the Duchy of Lancaster’s Wyreside estate at the foot of the Bowland
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Fells, Wyreside Lakes also has a farmhouse B&B a campsite and a bar and restaurant. Its well-stocked waters offer
a variety of carp, pike and coarse fishing. A family-run business, Wyreside is renowned for the quality of carp it has
consistently produced over the years and was bestowed the ‘Cooper Heyman’ cup award for excellence in
restoration and conservation. Visit www.wyresidelakes.co.uk
Pendle View Fisheries, near Whalley:
One of the top carp waters in the UK, Pendle View sits at the foot of historic Pendle Hill and Wiswell Fell.
With a main lake of nearly 10 acres you will find some of the best coarse fish and biggest carp in Lancashire. Carp
weighing 40lb plus have been landed here. There are three fishing lakes including a fly lake stocked with rainbow,
brown and the odd blue trout, with sizes well into double figures. The match and pleasure lake has tench, roach,
rudd, carp and bream and fishes best from spring through to autumn. Fishing lessons are also available and there
are two holiday chalets. Visit www.pendleview.co.uk
Redwell Fisheries, Arkholme, north Lancashire:
There are four connected lakes to fish here amid 13 glorious acres of water and woodland. This is a prime spot
for coarse and carp fishing – some of the mirror carp here are close to 301b in weight. There’s also bream, tench,
rudd and many interesting hybrids waiting to be caught. Redwell’s waters were restocked in 1997 at the cost of
more than £10,000. For more information log on to www.redwellfisheries.co.uk
Set in a tiny valley near Carnforth, Redwell also has a picturesque caravan and campsite and is an ideal base for
walkers and cyclists, as well as anglers. There are also self-catering apartments available. To book online go to
www.visitlancashire.com
Foresthills Golf & Fly Fishery, Ellel, near Lancaster:
There’s great golf and fishing available at this slice of glorious Lancashire countryside set beside the River Condor.
Forest Hills rural centre is a family-run business that has won awards for its conservation and wildlife management.
It is home to a four-acre fly fishing lake and nine-hole, pay and play golf course. The lake and course can be found
in 200 acres of beautiful countryside near Lancaster. Angling tuition is available and corporate activity days are also
organised. For more information call 01524 752 566.
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Hotels with Fishing Opportunities
The Inn at Whitewell sits high on the banks of the River Hodder, a beautiful 17th century coaching Inn with
23 bedrooms (plenty with four posters) and wonderful peat fires. Recognised by the AA as a 5 star Inn and by the
Good Food Guide for its excellent food. Guests can fish the five miles of the Hodder for trout, sea trout and
salmon.
Red Pump Inn - This traditional country Inn in the Bowland countryside offers excellent local produce in the
restaurant, superb ales in the bar; three, beautifully appointed 4 star guest rooms and exclusive fishing on the River
Hodder (grayling, trout and salmon) for residents.
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