Top of main content

Fishing

Pause on fishing

To protect the safety of customers, we've temporarily suspended fishing at Farmoor. If you have any questions, please call 07747640707.

We have excellent coarse and game fishing opportunities at some of our reservoirs. You can enjoy fantastic coarse and trout fishing at London's largest fishery on the Walthamstow Reservoirs. You can find some of the county's best quality fly-fishing at Oxfordshire's Farmoor Reservoir. You can also join one of many angling clubs using our sites.

Three fishing rods propped up by a reservoir

About Walthamstow reservoirs

There are ten reservoirs that make up Walthamstow Reservoirs, located in the heart of London. This ‘nature haven’ also offers anglers the chance to fish for specimen coarse and game fish. The site includes six different coarse reservoirs and three fly-fishing reservoirs, so we can cater for all abilities. Walthamstow Fly fishing club have access to our East Warwick reservoir. For details about membership, visit the Walthamstow Fly Fishing club website.

Walthamstow Fishery opening times

2 Mar - 3 May 4 May - 26 Jul 27 Jul - 20 Sep 21 Sep - 18 Oct 19 Oct - 28 Feb
7am - 7:30pm 7am - 10pm 7am - 9pm 7am - 7:30pm 8am - 5pm

Fly fishing pricing

  • 75 fish season permit - £390
  • 6 fish permit - £32
  • 4 fish permit - £27
  • 2 fish (evening only) - £22
  • 6 fish concession - £27 this includes disabled, over 65, under 16
  • 4 fish concession - £22 this includes disabled, over 65, under 16
  • 2 fish concession (evening only) - £17 including disabled, over 65, under 16

Coarse fishing pricing

  • Coarse day - £15 (3 rod limit) under 16’s fish for free when accompanied by an adult
  • Coarse day concession - £10 (3-rod limit) this applies to disabled, over 65 & under 18
  • Evening permit - £8 (3 rod limit)
  • Coarse season permit - £400 (all coarse reservoirs & copper mill stream)
  • 1, 2 & 3 season permit - £325
  • Lower/Higher Maynard season permit - £200
  • West Warwick season - £150
  • Copper mill stream season - £100

Encouraging a wide range of birds, fish and fauna

The high-quality water in the reservoirs at Walthamstow also attracts a wide range of birds, insects and fauna. Some of the reservoirs are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the rich bird habitat and fauna. It is internationally recognised for the diverse range of birds that it attracts, making it a popular place for birdwatching. A wide range of breeding and migrant species and wintering waterfowl can be seen. You can also find one of the largest heronries in Britain. This has recently attracted the first breeding Little egrets in Greater London.

The reservoirs are mainly stocked with carp and bream. There are also quality roach barbel, chub, eels, pike and perch to be had across the site.

Fishing at Farmoor

Man-made reservoir site Farmoor is located in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. It sprawls over 400 acres of rolling hills with two lakes and three nature reserves boasting an array of wildlife. Farmoor Reservoir is split by a long causeway. This creates two reservoirs to fish in:

  • A 'catch and release' lake popular for its brown trout and large rainbows
  • A ‘take-out’ lake which has become known for having produced some of the tastiest trout in the UK.

Predator Coarse fishing is permitted at the reservoirs between November and March with very large pike and perch the target . Behind the reservoir, there is also a stretch of the river Thames that is publicly available to fish in. This is free to all Angling Trust members, otherwise it will require a day ticket.

On-site facilities at Farmoor

There is a rangers' lodge with a small selection of essential fishing items including flies, tools and lines. Tackle hire is also available on request. There are several car parks situated around the reservoir making this suitable for anglers who have difficulties with mobility. Hot meals and snacks are also available on site at the sailing club canteen.