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

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.

Kennick

The levels here have now started to recover, being at 42% capacity at the time of writing. Deep, slow-fished flies on sinking lines have been the order of the day, with fish taking Damsel nymphs, Diawl Bachs and Buzzers, as well as lure patterns, such as Tequila Blobs, and Booby variations. The East Bank proved to be the most productive area.

Siblyback

Anglers continued to enjoy some great sport at Siblyback, in spite of the challenging weather conditions, averaging 2.9 fish per angler. The West Bank, Crylla Bay, Stocky Bay and The Meadows produced the best sport, and anglers caught fish on both floating and sunk lines, generally with a medium or slow retrieve. While a few surface feeders were caught on floating Daddies and Klinkhammers, the majority were caught sub-surface, with successful patterns including Montanas, Diawl Bachs and Damsels, or lure patterns (such as Cats Whisker, Orange Lures, Red or Orange and Green Blobs, Orange Fritz and Black Zonker). Levels are now up to 72% capacity.

Burrator

Anglers enjoyed some great end-of-season sport at Burrator, averaging 1.75 fish per rod per visit, with popular locations including Longstone Point and Bank, Sheepstor, Back Bay and Pig Trough. The fish continued to feed fairly near the surface – a slow retrieve on a floating or intermediate line produced the best results. A wide variety of mainly sub-surface patterns all caught fish, either nymphs (Damsels, Montanas, Buzzers, Dawsons Olive), or lure patterns (Orange Blobs, White Snakes, Black Tadpoles and Woolly Buggers), while a few fish rose to take Daddies, Klinkhammers, and Black Gnats. Water levels here are now at top level.

Stithians

The fishing improved at Stithians over the month, with anglers averaging 2.8 fish per visit. The best sport was at Yellowort Bay, Sailing Club Bank, Mossopps, Sluice Bank, Goonlaze, Golden Lion Point and Pipe Bay. Most anglers used floating line tactics, finding fish within a foot of the surface. Rising fish were taken on Black Hoppers, Hawthorns, Deer Hair Sedge, and Daddies, while deeper feeders were caught on Diawl Bachs, Damsel Nymphs and Buzzers, or pulled lure patterns (Viva, Cats Whisker, Orange Mugler, Whisky Fly, and Orange or Red Boobies). The water level is 49% capacity at the time of writing.

A note for your diaries – the 2026 South West Fly Fair will be held at Roadford Lake next year on Sunday 22 February. Please see the Trust’s website (www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing) for more information on this event, as well as for buying tickets, boat availability and booking, as well as other forthcoming events.

Chris Hall (December 2025)

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