Journal
The Best Places to go Fishing in Yorkshire
While God’s own country might be famous for its historical landmarks, rolling countryside and delectable dishes, that’s not all that’s on offer. You can also find yourself fishing in Yorkshire, with lakes and ponds scattered all around the beautiful countryside.
Where are the Best Fishing Lakes in Yorkshire?
If you’re staying in the area, you’ll find all sorts of opportunities for fly fishing in North Yorkshire. The county houses a huge range of carp and trout, plus bream and much more. Beyond the lakes themselves, you’ll also find other great Yorkshire attractions including water parks and ziplining.
Ready to reel them in? Check out our list of the best places to go fishing in Yorkshire…
Selley Bridge Lake
Based just outside of Malton, around half an hour’s drive from Scarborough, is Selley Bridge Lake. Here you’ll discover some of the most diverse fishing in Yorkshire. The lake is home to bream, mirror carp, crucian carp, common carp, chub, perch, roach, rudd and tench.
This 3.5-acre coarse fishing lake is a beautiful clover leaf shape, with six platforms ready for you to get set up. It’s also based on farmland, and you’re welcome to visit Selley Bridge Farm to purchase high-quality hay bales. Tickets are priced at £6.00 per adult or £4.00 after dusk, with £5.00 for concessions and £2.00 for an extra rod.
Rosedale Fishing Lake
Just 2.5 miles from one of the best places to stay in North Yorkshire – Filey – Rosedale Fishing Lake is simply stunning. The area features six acres of mature lake with depths varying from 3’ to 20’, scattered throughout three islands and mature overhanging trees.
If you’re looking for carp fishing in North Yorkshire, the lake is generously stocked. You’ll also find mirrors, common and ghosties, weighing up to 20lb if you’re lucky. Watch out for the eels and catfish as you nestle amongst the reeds and bulrushes. Day tickets start from £8.00 per rod, per angler, or £6.00 for concessions.
Star Carr Lakes
Perhaps some of the best-known fishing lakes in Yorkshire, Star Carr Lakes are based in Brandesburton, near Driffield. Some 25 minutes from the coast, Star Carr comprises three main lakes: the Clay Pool, the Old Trout Lake and the Gravel Pit.
In the Clay Pool, you’ll find common, mirror and ghost carp, as well as bream and perch. In the Old Trout Lake, there is a wealth of skimmers, plus tench, roach and rudd. This is the perfect spot for float fishing! Finally, the Gravel Pit comprises carp, green tench and occasionally, a golden tench.
PB Lakes
With 12 acres of lakes to explore, carp fishing in Yorkshire doesn’t come much bigger than this! Based in Halsham in Yorkshire’s East Riding, PB Lakes offer carp up to 47lbs. You can even rent out your own luxury fishing pod, with 14 swims to choose from. Here, you’ll be provided with landing nets, slings, cradles, water buckets and tripods.
You can book the lake in sessions, starting from £35.00 for a 24-hour session. Keep your eyes open for more lakes opening up in the future, including Rick’s Lake in September 2023 and Blackwood Lake in 2025.
Raker Lakes
You’ll find Raker Lakes in Wheldrake, just outside of York – home to some of Yorkshire’s most famous sights. With 28 acres of landscaped countryside, the spot is ideal for North Yorkshire carp fishing – and you’ll have four coarse and one specimen lake to choose from. This makes it a great spot for anglers of all abilities and styles, from match to pleasure and specimen anglers.
Acorn Lake offers up to 100lb weights, while the Heron Pond is ideal for pleasure anglers. Highbank Lake is teeming with silver fish and Horseshoe Lake has a diverse range of bream, roach and many more. In the Kingfisher Lake, you’ll find vast populations of Simmo fish. Tariffs start from £10.00 per day or £7.00 for concessions.
North Yorkshire Water Park
Just eight miles from historic landmarks such as Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire Water Park offers an incredible day out for the whole family. With three well-stocked lakes, it’s the perfect spot for fly fishing in North Yorkshire, whatever your preference.
The Coarse Lake offers 2 acres of carp, roach, perch and beam, at just £8.00 per person. In the Trout Lake, you’ll find 7.5 acres with brown, rainbow and blue trout. You can book for up to five hours from £18.00, or £25.00 for the whole day. If you’re a member, you can also take your rod down to the Predator Lake.
And if all that wasn’t enough, the water park also offers an aqua park, zipline, pedalos, sailing, open water swimming and much more.
Maple Lake
This purpose-built lake in Kirkbymoorside forms part of the Oaks Lakes. Allowing up to 68 fishable pegs, the lake averages around 5’ deep, stocking carp, roach, tudd, tench, barbel, ide and gudgeon. The site is open from 6:30 am to 9 pm during the summer months, and day tickets start from just £10.00 for adults or £8.00 for concessions.
If you want to explore, there is a range of match and pleasure lakes, all named after trees including Cedar, Maple and Sycamore. The latest match results are regularly updated on the site’s Facebook page.
Maran Lakes
Based a little way out of York in Long Marston, Maran Lakes comprise a trout farm that offers a secluded retreat. You’ll need to make your way down the track to enter the farm, but it will be more than worth it. Discover five peaceful lakes offering rainbow and brown trout, starting at just £17.00 for four hours and one fish.
You can also explore this North Yorkshire fly fishing hotspot’s smaller ponds. From just £3.00 per day, this mixed coarse fishing site offers rudd, carp, perch, gudgeon and trout.
Looking to kick back after a long day on the lakes? Celebrate your catches of the day in our Yorkshire holiday cottages.
Or why not discover some fun facts about Yorkshire – and impress your friends and family next time you’re visiting God’s own country!