Fishing in Hampshire

Located south of London, Hampshire is a beautiful county with a coastline on the English Channel. Well served by major road and rail networks, many fisheries across the county are in some picturesque settings.

Fishing is a popular hobby for locals, and some good clubs and fisheries also attract anglers from further afield. The River Test offers fly fishing opportunities in the attractive Test Valley, with the Test Valley Angling Club being one of the premier such organisations in the region.

The club manages fishing stretches on both the Test and the River Stour, which are excellent wild brown trout rivers. They also have a selection of fishing lakes, including Nutsey Lake, the premium carp water. Easily reached from the A36, Nutsey Lake has a good head of carp up to 40lbs with many over 20lbs.

Grayshot Angling Club manages several venues in the country close to Farnham, with many fishing lakes in particularly attractive settings.

Gold Valley Lakes

A fishery of note is Gold Valley Lakes in Aldershot. Regarded as among the finest commercial fisheries in the UK, it is run by England International Will Raison, who ranks among the best fishermen in the world. With a choice of beautifully kept fishing lakes, a tackle shop, and a good café on site, this is a must-see venue for any angler visiting the area and is open for day ticket purchases.

Three Oaks Fishery

Another fishery of note is Three Oaks Fishery. Located close to Waterlooville, the various lakes are stocked with carp of 10lb and more and perch and other coarse fish. The fishery offers a café in high season, and there is an opportunity for caravan parking next to the lakes with full electrical hook-up.

Carp Fishing in Hampshire

The often-beautiful county of Hampshire is home to famous cities such as historic Winchester and Southampton. It offers many carp fisheries, some of which are highly regarded. South of London, fisheries in Hampshire are popular with anglers from the local region and further afield.

Bobs Lake at Hordle Lakes Fishery

A popular choice is Bob’s Lake at the Hordle Lakes Fishery. One of seven lakes within the facility, Bob’s Lake – as with all at Hordle – has been established for 25 years and carries a fine head of carp. The 3-acre lake is known to be home to 120 carp, with at least four over 30 lbs and 50-plus over 20 lbs. Hordle Lakes Fishery has a recently installed snack wagon onsite for bacon sandwiches and hot drinks, plus a fully stocked tackle shop. This is a great specimen carp lake.

Sandhurst Lake at the Yately Complex

Sandhurst Lake is a well-established lake on the Yately complex close to the town of the same name and is famed for carp of good sizes. The current venue record is a carp of 45 lbs, and there are known to be at least ten fish in the lake heavier than 40 lbs. Stocked in 1998 with fish of around 3lbs, these are now approaching the 30lbs mark making Sandhurst Lake a popular one with locals and anglers from further afield looking for good catches. At present, the fishery does not have a food outlet, but there are local takeaways that will deliver to the entrance. Portable temporary toilets are provided, with full facilities at a local leisure centre just two minutes drive away.

Golden Pond Fishery

Located in the beautiful Test Valley is Golden Pond Fishery, where the relatively small 1-acre lake offers a wonderful experience for both new and veteran anglers. Well-stocked with carp up to 28lbs plus good-sized tench, rudd, and fantails, Golden Pond is also home to three sturgeon, adding to the challenge at this popular and welcoming lake. Parking close to the lake is available, and there are full toilet facilities plus a small fishing hut where tackle can be obtained.

The above are merely a few of the excellent Hampshire fisheries and each offers swims for disabled anglers.

Pike Fishing in Hampshire

Fishing for pike is a challenge anywhere in the UK, but when it comes to Hampshire, there is one place that attracts anglers searching for the elusive pike: the River Test. A 31lb pike was caught on a stretch of the delightful river recently, proof that there is sensational pike in the River Test waiting to be caught.

Headlands Farm Fishery

Just 10 minutes from Southampton is Headlands Farm Fishery, a popular coarse fishing venue where pike can be caught more than 20lbs. The lake also houses a good head of carp over 30lbs, plus various coarse fish of suitable sizes. The fishery offers a clubhouse where visitors can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee and full toilet facilities. Free parking is available on site and no membership is required.

Fly Fishing in Hampshire

The popular Meon Springs Trout Fishery is regarded as one of the finest in Hampshire. With an opportunity to stay in a Yurt or Shepherd’s Hut within the facility, you can catch your own healthy rainbow trout for dinner or fish on the catch-and-return lake for brown trout and rainbow trout. Tuition is also available, and the trout fishery has a dedicated Kid’s Pond for trout fishing.

Damerham Fisheries

The beautifully cared-for and picturesque Damerham Fisheries sits within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers a fine opportunity for chalk stream fishing. The venue is famous for the legendary ‘Damerham Blue Trout’, which is unique to the trout fishery and offers day-ticket fishing when booked in advance. The luxurious Lodge can be rented as an added attraction, and the fishery also hosts corporate days and offers tuition and on-site fish sales.

Woodling Lakes Trout Fishery

The wonderfully attractive setting of Woodington Lakes Trout Fishery includes three prime trout lakes and a stretch of the River Blackwater. A tranquil and relaxing location, the fishery provides tuition for newcomers and those wishing to improve their skills and is easily reached despite its secluded location. It’s a great place to catch rainbow trout when fly fishing and is one place you should try when fishing in Hampshire.

Sea Fishing in Hampshire

The county’s coastline stretches from Highcliffe in the west to Hayling Island in the east, encompassing a range of varied saltwater fishing. Here are some popular spots and species you can expect to find when sea fishing in Hampshire:

Hurst Castle

Located on a shingle spit near Milford-on-Sea, this area is well-known for its bass and mackerel fishing. The strong currents here attract a variety of fish species, such as plaice, flounder, and sole.

Lepe Beach

This pebble and sand beach is situated in the New Forest National Park and is a popular spot for bass, flounder, and plaice. Fishing from the shore is most productive during the flooding tide.

Hayling Island

This island offers some of the most varied saltwater fishing locations, including sandy beaches and rocky shores. Anglers can target species like bass, plaice, flounder, and smoothhound. The island is also famous for its winter cod fishing.

Hill Head and Lee-on-the-Solent

These two locations offer excellent shore fishing opportunities for species such as bass, flounder, plaice, and mackerel. The Hill Head Harbor is a popular spot for anglers targeting mullet.

Langstone Harbour

Situated between Portsmouth and Hayling Island, Langstone Harbour is a prime spot for fishing bass, flounder, plaice, and eel. The harbour’s sheltered waters also provide an ideal environment for mullet.

Stokes Bay

Located near Gosport, Stokes Bay is a popular beach fishing spot known for its bass, plaice, and sole. The area is also frequented by anglers targeting mackerel during the summer months.

Lymington

This picturesque coastal town is famous for its marina and offers excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can expect to catch bass, mullet, flounder, and plaice from the shore, while charter boats can take you offshore for species such as cod, conger eel, and rays.

Fishing Clubs in Hampshire

NameAddressWebsiteFB
The Wey Valley Disabled Anglers AssociationBasingstoke Hampshire UKWebsite
Eastleigh and District Angling ClubEastleigh Hampshire UKWebsite
Meon Springs Fly FisheryWhitewool Farm East Meon Petersfield Hampshire GU321HW UKWebsite
PETERSFIELD & DISTRICT ANGLING CLUBPetersfield Hampshire UKWebsite
Farnham Angling SocietyC/O The Creel 36 Station Road Aldershot Hampshire GU11 1HT UKWebsite
Ringwood & District Anglers AssociationRingwood Hampshire UKWebsite
Oakhanger Angling ClubKingsley Centre Kingsley Hampshire GU35 9ND UKWebsite
Portsmouth & District Angling Society14 Tern Walk Portsmouth PO4 8QG EnglandWebsite
The Petersfield & District Angling ClubPDAC 57B Glebe Road Buriton; Petersfield Avon GU31 5SD UKWebsite