Trout fishing in Devon, Cornwall and Wales: day tickets you can book online

You can book trout fishing day tickets online for reservoirs across Devon, Cornwall and Wales, from Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor to Llyn Brenig in North Wales. Several venues sell half-day, evening, catch-and-release and winter permits as well as full days, so it's easy to fit a few hours on the bank into a shorter autumn day. Here's where to go and what to book.

Quick picks

• Siblyback Lake, Cornwall: a fly-fishing day permit for stocked rainbow trout on Bodmin Moor
• Kennick, Devon: day, half-day, evening and catch-and-release trout permits
• Llyn Brenig, North Wales: a winter permit for a day's fly fishing on the lake
• Llys y Frân, Pembrokeshire: bank fishing for rainbow and brown trout, by fly or ledgered worm

South West Lakes Trust: Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and beyond

South West Lakes Trust sells fly-fishing permits for a string of reservoirs across Devon and Cornwall, including Kennick, Burrator, Fernworthy, Roadford, Siblyback, Stithians, Colliford and Wistlandpound. You fish for stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout from the bank, a boat or your own float tube, with full-day, half-day, evening and catch-and-release tickets at many of the waters. Browse every lake on the South West Lakes Trust page, or read our guide to trout fishing in Cornwall and Devon for more on each venue.

Photo: South West Lakes Trust Trout Fishing

A few to start with. Siblyback on Bodmin Moor is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and has a large population of resident brown trout, which are catch and release only. Fernworthy, high on Dartmoor, is traditional bank-only fly fishing for wild and stocked brown trout. Burrator sits on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, and Stithians in Cornwall also sells float tube permits if you have your own tube.

Making a weekend of it? Our Devon and Cornwall pages list other things to book nearby.

SW Lakes Dorset Fisheries

SW Lakes Dorset Fisheries is the pick for coarse anglers, with coarse and game fishing on the Royalty Fishery and day, night, junior and concession tickets. Small groups can also book the Top Weir compound or the Parlour Pool exclusively, for up to three anglers. Start with an adult day ticket or see all the Dorset fishing tickets, and find more to do nearby on our Dorset page.

Photo: SW Lakes Dorset Fisheries

Llyn Brenig, North Wales

Llyn Brenig sits among 2,500 acres of forest, moorland and lakes in Conwy, and the visitor centre describes it as one of the best top-of-the-water trout fisheries in the UK. The lake has 23km of shoreline and is stocked with rainbow trout for fly fishing, and anglers must book in advance. The winter permit gives you a day's fly fishing with a three-fish bag limit, and in the colder months the centre also sells pike fishing pegs for day and night sessions.

The same team sells permits for nearby waters too, including Llyn Cowlyd, where fly and coarse methods are allowed. Read more on our Llyn Brenig spotlight, or see what else is on in Conwy.

Llys y Frân, Pembrokeshire

Llys y Frân is a lake in central Pembrokeshire with a visitor centre, café and campsite, and it's open all year round. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and has native brown trout: fly fish or ledger a worm from the bank, or fly fish from one of the electric boats. Bank permits come with different bag limits, and there are youth permits too.

Photo: Llys Y Frân Activity Centre

Bring proof of your rod licence, as you'll be asked for it when you sign in. There's more about the lake on our Llys y Frân spotlight and our Pembrokeshire page.

Llandegfedd, near Cardiff and Newport

Llandegfedd reservoir near Pontypool is stocked with rainbow and brown trout, and it suits a range of styles, from easy worm fishing along the East Bank to stalking trout with lures, nymphs and dry flies. Spinning isn't allowed. The reservoir also holds bream, roach and some large pike, so coarse anglers are well catered for, and under-16s can fish the trout banks free with a paying adult.

Photo: Llandegfedd Activity Centre

Book trout bank fishing, coarse bank fishing or a fishing boat for up to two people. The Llandegfedd spotlight covers the centre's other activities.

Before you go: rod licence and kit

Anyone aged 13 or over needs a rod fishing licence to fish for trout and coarse fish in England and Wales, as well as a permit from the fishery. You can buy one online on GOV.UK, and some venues, such as Llys y Frân, ask to see it when you sign in.

Most tickets on this list cover fishing only, so bring your own rod and tackle. Llyn Brenig, Llys y Frân and Llandegfedd have boats to hire, and Roadford and Stithians sell float tube tickets if you have your own. Rules on methods, hooks and bag limits vary from lake to lake, so read the details on the booking page before you go.

South West Lakes Trust asks every angler to check, clean and dry their kit before and after fishing to stop invasive species spreading between waters. And dress for the weather: upland reservoirs on Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and in North Wales can be cold and windy, even on a bright day.

FAQ

Do I need a licence to fish for trout in England and Wales?

Yes. If you're 13 or over you need a rod fishing licence as well as a permit or day ticket from the fishery. Buy the licence online on GOV.UK before you go.

Can beginners go trout fishing on a day ticket?

Yes, day tickets don't require any experience, but you'll need your own tackle. Venues such as Llandegfedd and Llys y Frân allow worm fishing from the bank, which is an easier start than fly fishing, and half-day or evening permits at the South West Lakes let you try it without committing to a full day.

Can you go trout fishing in winter?

Some waters keep selling permits into the colder months. Llyn Brenig has a winter fly-fishing permit and pike fishing, and Llys y Frân is open all year. Check each venue's booking calendar to see what's available on your date.

More to read

Planning a trip west? Try our round-up of thrilling outdoor activities to try in Wales, or the best outdoor family activities in Cornwall.

Find your next day out on eola

From fishing permits and boat hire to kayaking and paddleboarding on the same lakes, you can compare and book outdoor activities across the UK on the eola marketplace.