Fishing in Norfolk

With a spectacular coastline on the North Sea and The Wash to the north of the county, Norfolk is a charming county replete with many pleasing and attractive market towns. Home to the famous Norfolk Broads, which make for a perfect and unique place to fish, Norfolk offers a wide choice of Norfolk fisheries for the keen carp, pike, or trout enthusiast and is an easy place to reach with plenty of holiday destinations.

Norfolk Broads Fishing

The Norfolk Broads National Park is an extensive network of rivers, canals, and lakes, offering many angling opportunities. It can be very popular during the summer months. Here are some popular Norfolk broads fishing locations:

River Bure

One of the main Norfolk broads fishing rivers in the Broads, the River Bure, offers excellent coarse fishing, with species such as bream, tench, roach, and rudd. Popular spots for fishing the river bure include Wroxham, Horning, and Acle Bridge. Pike fishing is also popular on the river banks, particularly in the colder months. It is one of the shortest and narrowest rivers on the broads.

River Thurne

The River Thurne is well-known for its bream fishing, and the area around Potter Heigham is particularly popular with anglers. The river is also home to roach, rudd, and perch, and it is a renowned location for pike fishing, especially around the mouth of the River Bure.

River Wensum

Flowing through the heart of Norwich, the River Wensum offers excellent coarse fishing opportunities. The river is home to various fish species, including chub, dace, roach, and pike. Good Norfolk fishing spots can be found around the river banks in city center and at Costessey and Taverham Mill Fishery. This is Norfolk fishing at its finest.

River Yare

The River Yare is another popular Norfolk fishing location, with excellent bream and roach fishing. Surlingham, Bramerton, and Postwick are all favored spots among anglers. The river also holds pike, making it an excellent predator-fishing location.

River Ant

The River Ant offers some great Norfolk broads fishing . There is plenty of good roach, bream, and tench fishing, with popular spots at Ludham Bridge, Wayford Bridge, and Dilham. The river Ant is also home to pike, offering exciting predator fishing opportunities.

Hickling Broad

This large, shallow lake is a popular bream and tench fishing spot, with some excellent catches reported. The Broad also holds pike, making it an attractive location for predator anglers.

Ormesby and Filby Broads

These two interconnected Broads are known for their bream fishing but also hold other species like roach, rudd, and perch. Additionally, they provide good pike fishing opportunities.

Norfolk Coarse Fishing Lakes

Norfolk boasts a variety of well-stocked and well-maintained lakes that cater to anglers of all skill levels. Here are some notable Norfolk fisheries in the region:

Blickling Lake

Located near Aylsham, within the picturesque grounds of Blickling Hall, a National Trust property, Blickling Lake is a popular destination for anglers. Open for day tickets, the lake offers an abundance of bream and carp up to impressive sizes in a stunning and unique setting. Anglers can enjoy the peaceful surroundings while fishing in this historic location.

Chapel Road Lakes

Situated near Roughton, Chapel Road Lakes provide a tranquil and enjoyable angling experience. The lakes are home to a healthy carp population, making them the primary target for most visitors. Day tickets are available, allowing anglers to immerse themselves in the serene environment while trying to catch a prize carp.

Barford Lakes

Located near Norwich, Barford Lakes is a complex of eight well-maintained Norfolk fishing lakes, catering to anglers of all abilities. The lakes have various species, including carp, tench, bream, roach, and perch. The fishery offers a friendly atmosphere and also hosts fishing matches and tuition for beginners.

Reepham Fishery

Situated in the picturesque town of Reepham, this fishery features several lakes surrounded by beautiful woodland. Stocked with a mix of species, including carp, bream, roach, and tench, Reepham Fishery provides a tranquil setting for a day of angling. Day tickets and on-site facilities are available for anglers’ convenience.

Carp Fishing in Norfolk

Norfolk is a prime fishing destination for specimens or leisure carp fishing. The unique Norfolk Broads, where fishing is available in many places with the appropriate license, and many excellent dedicated fisheries make this a county worth visiting if you are looking to go fishing or for premium coarse fishing opportunities.

Burgh Castle Fisheries

Carp fishing in Norfolk lake doesn’t get any better than the lake at Burgh Castle Fisheries, not far from Great Yarmouth, makes for an excellent destination for enjoyable fishing. There are three lakes here, but the focus should be on the main lake, even though it is a mere 1.5 acres in size. Nevertheless, there are carp in the water over 30 lbs with a record of 38 lbs and many more in the 20 lbs bracket. This is a wonderfully tranquil fishery with many attributes and well-stocked lakes. A must for carp fishing in Norfolk!

Cobbleacre Park

10 miles from Norwich is Cobbleacre Park, a five-lake holiday park complex with lodges and camping facilities offering stunning scenery and a variety of Norfolk fishing experiences. The two specimen lakes – Adam’s and Mario’s lakes – will be the aim of the experienced angler looking for carp greater than 20 lbs and some over 35 lbs in the latter water. Both lakes are around 3 acres with many fine features to define them. The remaining three lakes are perfect for pleasure fishing and novices, and day tickets are offered on all the lakes.

Oakwood Park Lakes

Oakwood Park Lakes is a truly beautiful destination fishery with three lakes. Around 14 miles from the pretty town of Thetford, it is set in a glorious, unspoiled countryside. The lakes are small Ornamental Lakes, plus the Carp and Predator lakes. Day and week tickets are available, and the attraction of Oakwood Park lies in the setting and the colossal 120lbs catfish found in the Predator Lake! This lake also houses carp up to 35 lbs, while the Carp Lake is home to many fish above 30 lbs. Set among an ancient woodland with 500-year-old oaks. This facility has a café and toilet facilities.

Pike Fishing in Norfolk

There are many public fishing locations and venues at which good-sized pike can be caught, especially in the rivers of Norfolk. This example of a 33lbs pike was caught in an unnamed river in the heart of the county. Many of the Broads are also excellent fishing locations, and we recommend this guide if you want to fish in Norfolk.

Fly Fishing in Norfolk

Norfolk offers several fly fishing opportunities for anglers, focusing on trout fishing. Here are a few notable fishing lakes in Norfolk:

Blackdyke Trout Fishery

Near Hockwold-cum-Wilton, Blackdyke Trout Fishery is a clear spring-fed, 8-acre lake stocked with rainbow and brown trout. The fishery offers excellent fly fishing opportunities, with facilities such as a lodge, fishing tackle shop, and tuition available for beginners. It should be on your list for fishing lakes in Norfolk.

Narborough Trout Lakes

Situated in the beautiful Nar Valley, Narborough Trout Lakes consist of four lakes stocked with rainbow, brown, and blue trout. The picturesque surroundings provide a serene environment for fly fishing enthusiasts. Day tickets and catch-and-release options are available, and the fishery offers fly fishing instruction for those looking to improve their skills.

Rocklands Mere Fishery

Nestled in the heart of Norfolk countryside, Rocklands Mere Fishery is a clear water, spring-fed lake stocked with high-quality rainbow and brown trout. The fishery provides a peaceful and secluded setting for fly fishing, with various aquatic insects providing excellent natural feeding for the fish. The fishery offers day tickets, catch and release options, and fly fishing lessons.

Lenwade Charity Lakes

Last on our list of fly fishing lakes in Norfolk is Lenwade. This fishery is within a short driving distance for Norfolk residents. It offers a variety of fishing opportunities, including a fly fishing lake stocked with rainbow and brown trout. The fishery is set in a tranquil woodland setting, providing an enjoyable environment for fly fishing.

Fishing Clubs

NameAddressWebsiteFacebook
Acle and District Angling Club10 Chapel Road, Beighton, Norfolk NR13 3LEWebsite
Dereham and District Angling Club4 Cemetery Rd, Dereham NR19 2ETWebsite
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Downham Market and District Angling AssociationDownham Market, NorfolkWebsiteFB

Norfolk Angling Club is an established organisation that manages many waters and waterways in the county. The club welcomes new members of all levels of experience and age and is worth checking out for information on coarse fishing in the region. Another major club in the county is the Norwich Union Angling Club which manages many waters in Norfolk.

Among these are The Grove, an attractive tree-lined water offering a quiet and peaceful place to fish with a good head of sizeable carp. Also among the portfolio is Hickling Broad – the largest Norfolk Broads covering several hundred acres and home to bream of up to 12lbs and other coarse species. Fishing here is by boat only and must be booked in advance, yet it offers an excellent and fun fishing experience with children permitted. The club also manages several other waters providing a selection of fishing experiences.

Wroxham and District Angling Club manage five waters close to the town of the same name, some of which can be fished under general membership and others with restricted membership only. Great Melton Reservoir is for the pleasure angler and provides a quiet and pleasing experience with carp of double figures and further coarse species. Rackheath Springs is a specialist carp lake limited to 25 individuals within the club and features carp of 30lbs and more and 16lbs bream.