Trout Fishing

We extend a warm welcome to all trout anglers. The range of fishing we offer ensures excellent sport for all abilities. Our still water fisheries are among the best in the west and vary in size from around 50 to over 900 acres!

Our fisheries are picturesque and atmospheric lakes, including countless secluded bays, weedy shores and tree line margins to explore. We boast rainbows, browns and a large number of blues of the highest quality. Traditional fly fishing is the rule at our stocked fisheries, although other methods can be used at our free wilderness trout waters.

Young People and Newcomers

We are working hard to encourage young people and newcomers to take up the sport. Under 18 fish for free with a paying adult and part of their bag limit. Throughout the season, we host open days and events where we offer free fly fishing tuition for all.

Boat Fishing

Boats are available at most of our waters which provide an alternative to bank angling. These must be pre-booked, either by calling 01566 771930 (8.30am - 5.00pm 7 days a week) or online by scrolling to the bottom of your chosen lake page.

You will need to sign a disclaimer before you can take a boat out. Once a year you will need to complete a boat induction – please watch the induction video here.

Access for All

Most of the waters benefit from facilities designed for disabled or wheelchair anglers, either by platforms or Wheelyboats. These boats must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

Clubs

A number of the fisheries have associated local clubs. These are a great way to meet fellow anglers, as well as participating in competitions and social events. We run several competitions during the season - more details of each of these are available on our competitions page.

Environment Agency Rod Licence

Anglers on all our waters must have a valid Environment Agency rod licence which are available from post offices or via the Environment Agency. The only exception may be when attending a bona fide course or a coaching session with a qualified coach – please check beforehand.

South West Lakes Trust

South West Lakes Trust is the managing charity of SW Lakes Trust Fishing. The charity is a member of The Angling Trust. In 2014, the South West Lakes Trust fisheries hosted the Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships; Scotland took gold and England won silver.

Reporting an Incident:

South West Lakes Trust manages a portfolio of nearly 50 lakes and other natural resources so it is not always possible for our wardens to be on the scene when issues occur. The very remote and rural nature of our estate, the thing that makes them so special, also means that modern mobile communications don’t always cover the areas we would like them to. This makes getting an immediate response to ongoing incidents very challenging.

Please use this form to report any incidents of poaching, illegal fishing or any other form of antisocial behaviour to the management team so that we are able to take appropriate action.

Complete Form

Rainbow Trout Season Opening Weekend

The new season is now firmly under way at the South West Lakes Trust Rainbow trout fisheries, opening on 1 March (with prior preview days for season ticket holders) - Brown Trout fisheries due to open on 15 March. The weather was perfect for the start of the season, with blue skies, a gentle breeze, and some warmth in the air. All of the lakes are now at full capacity.

Kennick

Rods averaged over 3.7 fish per angler during the opening sessions, with fish generally located off The Lawns, The Narrows, Clampitts Bay, East Wall, and Bracken Point. The fish were well down in the water column, with sinking or sink-tip lines locating fish, with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve. A selection of lure patterns (Green Boobies, Goldhead Blobs, Cats Whiskers, Black Tadpoles) as well as some nymphs (Goldhead Montana, Damsel, Red Montana) and the occasional Buzzer all caught fish. Most fish averaged around 2lb-3lb, with Chris Heal catching the best fish of the weekend, at 7.7lb.

Chris Heal with his 7.7lb rainbow.

Siblyback

The season opened on excellent form - anglers averaged 5.95 fish per rod, with fish mainly located along the North Bank, Two Meadows, West Bank, and Stocky Bay. While some fish were caught on Montana and Damsel Nymphs, most were caught on a variety of lure patterns (Orange FAB, Kennick Killer, Snake, Black and Green Fritz, Orange Blob, and Humungous) fished on Intermediate or Sink-tip lines (at between three and four metres depth) with a slow retrieve. Ethan Price caught the largest fish, at 3lb.

Photo: Roger Truscott

Burrator

Here the season opened with a flying start, with anglers averaging 4.6 fish per rod, mainly from Longstone, Pig’s Trough, Lowery Point, and Back Bay, and Bennetts. Intermediate or floating lines with a long leader (at about one metre depth) with a fast retrieve proved to be the most successful method, with fish taking Nomads, Blue Flash Damsels, Red Diawl Bachs, Cormorants, and Orange Fritz lures. Most fish averaged around 2lb, with Ian Foxley catching the best fish, at 56cm, or 3lb 140z.

Photo: Al Lawson

Stithians

Here the fishing was slower, with anglers averaging 1.1 fish per rod over the opening weekend. Fish were well spread out around the fishery, notably at Yellowort, Goonlaze, Ray’s Beach, Hollis, and the deeper water by the dam. Most feeding fish were around two metres down, and were mainly caught on Intermediate or Sink-tip lines, with a slow retrieve. Successful flies included Black and Peacock Spiders, Hares Ears, Montanas, and Damsel nymphs, as well as Orange Blobs, Cormorants, and Tequila FABs. Simon Peters managed a couple of fish at 1lb 8oz casting into the wind off Deep Bank.

Another successful Fly Fair was held at Roadford Lake on 23 February, with fly-tying demonstrations, casting lessons, and trout cookery demonstrations. Charles Jardine opened the event, which also included a variety of tackle and fly-tying suppliers, as well as the chance to meet local clubs and talk fishing with old friends, and some bargains to be had on the Kennick Club used-tackle stand.

Please see website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on buying tickets, boat availability and booking, and forthcoming events.

Chris Hall (March 2025)

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Friends of South West Lakes Trust: Single Local Friendship

By joining us as a Single Local Friend, you will not only be supporting our work, but you will also enjoy year-round parking at one lake of your choice.
Become a Friend of South West Lakes Trust

Become a Friend of South West Lakes Trust to support our work caring for the lakes you love, with options incorporating an annual car parking pass for one or all of our lakes.
Cornwall Invasive Species Forum

The Cornwall Invasive Species Forum, hosted by South West Lakes Trust and kindly funded by CINNG (Community Invasive Non-native (Species) Group), brings together lots of organisations to tackle the growing challenge of invasive non‑native species across the county.

Trout Fisheries Report December 2025

The Trust’s Rainbow fisheries are open until the end of the December – please check the South West Lakes Trust website for end-of-season ticket price offers and availability. A drop in air temperatures, along with the Autumnal winds and rains, has meant that water temperatures continue to fall, and fish are generally staying in deeper water, while levels continue to rise.
Trout Fisheries Report November 2025

The Trust’s Brown Trout fisheries have now closed for the 2025 season, while the Rainbow waters will stay open until the end of the year. The drop in temperatures and the recent winds and rains have meant that water temperatures continue to fall, while levels continue to rise, except for at Kennick, where South West Water has lowered the levels for operational reasons.
Trout Fisheries Report October 2025

A month of mixed weather conditions, some days warm and sunny, others wet, windy, and cooler, which, along with cooler nights, has meant that water temperatures are starting to drop, and water levels to slowly rise. Storm Amy helped to stir things up, with strong winds and some heavy downpours making angling conditions challenging.
Trout Fisheries Report September 2025

A welcome drop in temperatures, along with some rain helped to freshen the reservoir waters, although at some fisheries many fish preferred to stay in the deeper water, where boat anglers faired slightly better than their counterparts on the bank.
Trout Fisheries Report August 2025

Another hot dry month means that water and air temperatures have continued to rise, while levels continue to fall. Generally fish have been in the cooler deeper water, and fishing from boats (where available) with sinking or intermediate lines has often been the best option
Trout Fisheries Report July 2025

A spell of hot dry weather has resulted in water temperatures rising and fish retreating to deeper, cooler, shaded water on most of the reservoirs, while levels continue to drop. Intermediate and sinking lines have generally been the order of the day, although on some waters fish have still continued to rise and feed near the surface.
Trout Fisheries Report June 2025

Water temperatures continue to rise, with plenty of insect activity on the surface and fish looking up to feed. Generally there has been little rain and some water levels are starting to drop. A spell of quite sudden very hot sunny weather in the final week of the month made conditions for anglers tough, with catch rates on most waters showing a sharp drop. The Trust’s beginners’ days continue, with a well-attended event held at Burrator.
Trout Fisheries Report May 2025

Water temperatures are continuing to slowly rise, although some chilly winds have meant that the fish are often still feeding below the surface. During warmer spells insect activity increases, and trout begin to look to the surface to feed during hatches.
Trout Fisheries Report April 2025

Although the temperatures have at last started to rise during the day, nights have been cool, meaning that water temperatures are still low, and while there have been some insect hatches during warmer spells during the day, the trout are still generally remaining in the deeper water, with most lakes requiring a sunk line to find fish.
Trout Fisheries Report March 2025

All of the South West Lakes Trust trout fisheries are now open for the new season. In spite of some cold conditions, the waters have fished well, with both good numbers and some fine fish being caught. Most fish are still mainly holding in the deeper water, with little surface activity yet.

Current reservoir levels

See the current water levels in our reservoirs.
Wimbleball Lake, Exmoor

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Equipment Hire

Experience the ultimate family adventure by exploring the lakes at your own pace. We have a variety of watersports equipment available to hire including; kayaks, canoes, stand up paddleboards and more.
South West Lakes Trust Booking Confirmation

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Self-launch and Launch Membership

Already have your own kit? You can launch your own kayak, canoe, dingy or stand up paddleboard at our lakes! And, if you are a regular visitor, you can even become a member and launch as often as you like at all five activity centres!
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Experience a family camping holiday like no other at Wimbleball Lake, nestled in the hills of Exmoor National Park. Create the ultimate camping break packed with adventure, creating lasting memories for the whole family.
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Siblyback, Cornwall

Surrounded by the striking backdrop of Bodmin Moor, Siblyback Lake lies within the Cornwall National Landscape. There is a beautiful 5km round lake circuit, which is perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs and bicycles. The path runs adjacent to the lake, and passes by the impressive Siblyback Dam and through woodlands.F
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