Description
Set in the rolling Devon hills on the edge of Dartmoor, Roadford offers more than 700 acres of brown trout fishing to explore by boat or bank. Different natural habitats surround the lake, including Culm grasslands, woodlands, old pastures and orchards, which provide beautiful scenery. A variety of little bays and inlets make fishing at Roadford appealing throughout the season.
Roadford is one of the best brown trout fisheries in the UK, providing outstanding fishing in the past few seasons, particularly by boat; there have been multiple catches of 30+ fish by boat in a single day. Numerous fish over 5lb have been caught and released with specimens to just under 7lb in the past few seasons.
The best sport has been boat fishing over the aeration pipes in mid-season and towards the bank in the early season, taking advantage of the food and shelter the submerged vegetation provides. Roadford also has good hatches of hawthorn flies in May which provide terrific dry fly fishing. The majority of fish are stocked at 7-10 inch but we do stock fish up to 2lbs.
Boats are available for hire, but booking is essential to avoid disappointment. Please note that you will need to watch a boat safety and induction video - included in your booking confirmation email - before you can use a fishing boat on our waters.
Self-launch for float-tubing and kayak fishing is available – please contact the staff on site and read our float tubing guidelines below.
Roadford is available for day or season permits, but why not try our special ‘Castabout’ season permit which covers all our stocked brown trout waters (Colliford, Fernworthy, Roadford, Wistlandpound)?
Although we encourage anglers to return brown trout caught, there is a bag limit of 4 fish per week. Only fish over 10" may be taken.
Fishery Information
Address: Roadford Lake, Near Okehampton, Devon. PL16 0JL
Species: Brown Trout
Season Date: 15 March – 15 October 2025
Fishing Methods: Fly Fishing Only
Boat Bookings: Available online. Please note that you will need to watch a boat safety and induction video before you can use a fishing boat on our waters. A link to this will be included in your booking confirmation email.
Float tubing: View our Float Tubing Normal Operating Procedures
Fishery Size: 738 acres
Best Flies: Soldier Palmer, Tadpole, Bibio, Squinky, Spiders
Biggest Fish: 8lb 4oz