A largely beautiful county with a varied landscape, Oxfordshire is landlocked with some fine fishing waters. Famous for – among other things – Oxford University, regarded as among the best in the world, Oxfordshire is popular with anglers who enjoy coarse fishing and trout fishing and also has some excellent locations where good-sized pike can be found.
- Panshill Fishery
- Broomhill Farm Lake
- Hinksey Lake Fishing
- Farmoor Reservoir
- Salford Trout Lakes
- Kirtlington Fisheries
- Linear Fisheries
- Aynho Trout Fishery
- Butlers Hill Fishery
- Fir Tree Farm
- Field Farm Fisheries Launton
- Adwell Lakes
- Upper Farm Fishery
- Clattercote Reservoir
- Linch Hill Fishery
- Trow Pool
- Hardwick Lake
- River Cherwell
- Pimlico Farm
- Orchid Lakes
- Milton Pools Fishery
- Bridge Lake Farm and Fishery
- Cheyney Manor Lakes
- Marlborough Pool
- Lodge Farm Fishing
- Ladygrove Lakes
- Glebe Leisure Touring Caravan Park
- Fernhill Farm
- College Farm Fishery
- Nellbridge Fishery
- Chad Lakes
Recommended Fishing Venues in Oxfordshire
Hardwick Parks
Fisheries abound in Oxfordshire thanks to an abundance of waterways, and among those worth visiting is Hardwick Parks. This integrated holiday park and water sports centre offers excellent fishing on a well-stocked lake for both day ticket holders and those staying on the site. Easy to reach by road, it occupies a beautiful location that is a pleasure to visit.
Upper Farm Henton
For a dedicated fishery, Upper Farm Henton is a private one-acre lake that is carefully managed and is open for day-ticket fishing, with night fishing available if booked in advance. A tranquil spot that is also home to a tackle shop, car park, and toilet facilities, the lake is aimed at leisure anglers. The record carp is 18lb 9oz, with bream of 5lbs and chub nearing that, and there is an offer of a £150 prize for the first catch of a 20lbs plus fish.
Carp Fishing in Oxfordshire
Linear Fisheries
Despite its landlocked nature, plenty of fisheries in Oxfordshire are worth the visit. Indeed, Linear Fisheries claims to be among the best day ticket fisheries in the UK. With no fewer than 10-day ticket lakes – plus others for members only – this established club offers excellent big carp fishing within easy reach of the main road networks.
Brasenose One
Among the well-managed lakes is Brasenose One, a 32-acre water where big carp up to 44lb have been landed. With 50 carp known to be more than 30 lbs this is an excellent specimen lake. One Summer Pond is at the other end of the scale and is aimed at leisure and novice anglers, with under-16’s fishing for free. Mostly carp of around 3lbs, it is a perfect opportunity for youngsters to get into fishing. The fishery has a good tackle, convenience store, and toilet facilities, and disabled anglers are well catered for.
Orchid Lakes
Orchid Lakes is a two-lake facility in a glorious spot in the heart of the Thames Valley. Both originally gravel pits, the waters are home to plenty of big carp in excess of 30lbs, with some over 40lbs having been landed. Giant catfish are also in one of the lakes as bream, roach, tench, and other coarse species.
Chad Lakes
Chad Lakes offers a choice of two lakes that, while small are challenging. Well-stocked with good-sized carp and other species, the tranquil surroundings make this a peaceful choice for pleasure and specimen fishing. Home Pool can be exclusively booked for up to 4 anglers for a weekend, five days, or a full week and is for the more experienced angler.
Pike Fishing in Oxfordshire
If the challenge of the mighty pike is your thing, then there are some great fishing venues in Oxfordshire. A recent news report tells the story of a 36lb-plus pike being caught in Castle Stream, a tiny stream in the very center of the city of Oxford!
Milton Pools
Also known for pike fishing is Milton Pools, a fishery not far from Oxford, where the Specimen Lake has been stocked with pike of 25lbs, and also features carp above 40lbs plus large catfish and other species. The facility has further lakes, but this is the one for carp. The fishery has a tackle shop and a lit car park with toilet and shower facilities and is easy reach from the road network.
Fly Fishing in Oxfordshire
Salford Lakes
Salford Lakes is located in the beautiful South Cotswolds region, where day ticket holders can take part in trout fishing on a catch-and-release basis in stunning surroundings. Half-day tickets are also available, and full membership allows access to all of the lakes in the fishery. Tuition is available for newcomers at certain times of the year, making this a primary choice for getting children into fly fishing.
Farmoor Fly Fishing Club
Farmoor Fly Fishing Club manages a 25-acre former gravel pit – Darlow Water – and a secluded stretch of the River Windrush. Both waters are fly fishing only from the bank, and boats on Darlow Water, with wading not permitted. Trout fishing on a catch and release basis are encouraged. The club is members-only and welcomes anglers of all abilities.
The Trout Inn
The Trout Inn, in the pretty village of Buckland Marsh, is an ideal place for fly fishing enthusiasts to stay for a fishing holiday. With many waters to fish in and excellent rooms and facilities, this popular destination welcomes young and old, experienced and novice, and offers many other country pursuit activities.
Fishing Clubs in Oxfordshire
| Name | Address | Website | FB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Grey Fly Fishing | 1 Sands Close Cumnor Oxford Oxfordshire OX2 9PY UK | Website | FB |
| Cuddesdon Mill Village Angling Association | Oxfordshire UK | Website | FB |
| Kidlington Angling Society | 12 Lock Crescent Kidlington Kidlington Oxfordshire OX5 1HE UK | Website | FB |
| Littlemore Angling Society | 8, Watermill Way Headington Oxford Oxfordshire UK | Website | FB |
| Oxford and District Anglers Association | Botley Oxford Oxfordshire OX2 9DR UK | – | FB |
| Remenham Angling Society | 51 Noble Road Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG9 1NU UK | – | – |
| Yarnton & District Angling Club | Kidlington Oxfordshire UK | Website | FB |
One of the established fishing clubs in the region is the Abingdon & Oxford Angling Alliance. They manage a variety of fishing venues for both coarse fishing and fly fishing and are open to newcomers as well as experienced anglers. The waters are carefully managed and restocked regularly. Another established Oxfordshire fishing club is Newland Angling Club which occupies a gorgeous position in the rural setting of Standlake. This members-only club manages four stocked lakes plus stretches of the Rivers Thames and Windrush.
Oxford and District Angling Association boasts over 1000 members and manages stretches of the Thames and Cherwell, the Oxford Canal, and a lake. The Thames regularly produces 20lb carp, pike, and many other species. One of the biggest clubs in the county is the Littlemore Angling Society, established in 1940. Affiliated with the Oxford and District – see above – and with access to their waters, this club also manages a stretch of the Thames and other waters.
