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 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.

Kennick

In spite of the cooler temperatures, the fishing proved challenging at Kennick, with anglers averaging 1.7 fish per visit. The best locations included Sycamore Wall, Poplar Bay, Bracken Point, with boat anglers catching fish in Clampitts Bay and the deeper central water. An intermediate line or floating line with a sink-tip, or a sinking line proved to be the most successful tactic, fishing either nymphs and wets (Diawl Bachs, Montanas, Buzzers, and Damsels) or lure patterns (Tadpoles and Boobies). Graham Roberts (from Totnes) and his boat partner caught thirteen rainbows to 3lb 12oz, with two others over 3lb, using fast sinkers and lure patterns (having previously had no success fishing on the top). Richard Berresford caught six rainbows to 2lb 10oz using a Tequila Booby fished deep with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve with pauses from a boat, and two rainbows to 3lb using a mini snake pattern on an intermediate line on a further visit. Water levels are down to 45% capacity at the time of writing.

Burrator

The fishing at Burrator improved this month, with anglers averaging 3.9 per visit, with fish being caught all over the reservoir (incl. Longstone, Pigs |Trough, Discovery Bay, Bennett’s, and Sheepstor). With fish coming to the surface to feed, floating lines with dry patterns (Foam Daddies, Bob’s Bits, Sedges, and Hoppers) produced some good sport, while deeper feeders were caught on intermediate lines using nymph (Buzzers, Damsels, Montanas) and lure (Tequila Blob, Yellow Streamer, Cormorant, FAB, Black and Green Blob) patterns, fished with a variety of retrieval methods. Gordon McLeod (from Tavistock) caught eleven rainbows to 2lb using a Tequila Blob fishing early in the morning. Daniel Forrester (from Hatherleigh) also caught eleven rainbows to 2lb between Sheepstor Bank and Pig Trough Bank – in spite of plenty of surface activity, he could only interest his fish with deeper lure patterns (particularly Candy Floss Boobie). Water levels are now down to 40% capacity.

Stithians

The fishing improved as the month progressed, with lightweight floating lines together with dry patterns (Hares Ear Parachute, Midge Hopper, Elk Hair Sedge, Daddies, and Beetles) producing some excellent surface sport. Deeper feeders took a selection of nymph patterns (mainly Damsel Nymphs) and lures (FAB, Cruncher Apache, Minkie, and Orange Blob). Popular locations included Goonlaze, Ray’s Beech, Pipe Bay, Hollis, Oub Bay, and Sluice Bank). Levels are down top 60% capacity at time of writing.

Colliford

The sport improved dramatically during the month, with anglers averaging 4.1 fish per visit. The best locations included the Middle Car Park, Lord’s Waste, The East Bank, and the bank near the dam. Plenty of Sedge and Midge hatches meant that the browns were keen to feed off or just under the surface, taking Bibio Hoppers, Bob’s Bits, Black and Peacock Spiders, Black cdc Emergers, Zulus, and Soldier Palmers. Water levels are now at 54% capacity.

Fernworthy

In spite of a fairly consistent hatch just before dusk, the fishing proved to be fairly challenging at Fernworthy, with anglers averaging less than a fish per visit. The South Bank proved to be the most popular, with some fish taking both dry patterns (Black Parachute, Tup’s, dry Sedge, and cdc Hopper), and sub-surface Muddlers, Silver Invictas, and Kate McLaren. Water levels are still quite high, at 78% capacity.

Roadford

The fishing at Roadford improved as the month progressed, with a weekly rod average increasing to 5.8 fish per angler. Popular locations included Davey’s Bank, Wortha, and Goodacre, where Soldier Palmers, Spiders, Brown Hares Ear Nymphs, and Diawl Bachs fished on floating lines proved to be the most successful, with a few fish also taking Black Tadpoles. Dean Boucher (from Gunnislake) caught eleven browns to 16” using pulled Soldier Palmers and Black Tadpoles on a floating line in one visit, and on another, thirteen fish to 1lb using the same tactics. Levels are now down to 65% at time of writing.

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

Chris Hall (September 2025)

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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 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.
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.

Current reservoir levels

See the current water levels in our reservoirs.
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South West Lakes Trust Booking Confirmation

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