Whilst London isn’t known for its spectacular angling, there are some fantastic places to fish in the capital. But unless you know what you’re doing (and crucially where you’re going) it can be a real minefield. Although our beginner’s guide to fishing in London is a good start.
There’s some superb coarse fishing on both man-made canals teeming with life (honestly) and rivers alongside some excellent stocked lakes and fisheries that are well worth a visit. From pike fishing on the Grand Union Canal to fly fishing for trout on The Wandle, there’s something for every angler. But be warned, it’s not easy – finding a good fishing mark requires some skill and understanding.
London has some beautiful fishing spots if you look hard enough
The Grand Union Canal runs from Paddington right into the heart of Birmingham – a whopping 137 miles in all. Initially built as a key transport link between the two, the canal provides a unique coarse fishing venue in the capital. It also features in our favourite carp fishing spots in London.
Although the Paddington arm of the canal is busy, stretches further west are easily navigable and can be traversed on foot. We’ve had our most enjoyable days fishing walking from west to east, ending in Paddington. Various stretches of the canal are owned by some of London’s best fishing clubs, so be sure to find out if you need to buy a day ticket.
Pro Tip: Canals are exempt from the river close season. So between 15 March – 15 June, they provide an excellent angling option for those of us desperate to get fishing.
Variable. Classed as moderate ecological status by DEFRA. Whilst we wouldn’t recommend swimming in it, the canal is significantly cleaner than even a few years ago. Although some companies have been caught dumping sewage in various sections.
Because the canal has a real mixture of coarse fish you can target predatory fish on a lure fishing setup, bread for carp and bream or worms and maggots for everything else. It’s a good pike fishing option if you like to get the miles in too.
Lures and spinners
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12-month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one-day license for just £6.
Following on from the Paddington arm of The Grand Union Canal, Regent’s Canal is an 8.6-mile waterway initially formed to create a new canal from Paddington to Limehouse.
Slicing London from East to West – you can walk from Paddington to Victoria Park and out onto the River Lee – fishing tends to be more enjoyable at the eastern end (around the Limehouse Cut and Fish Island) or the western end around Paddington.
Pro Tip: The towpath is especially busy around Camden and Regent’s Park – particularly on weekends – so if you’re an angler looking for peace and quiet this is a stretch to avoid.
Fish
Depth
Water Quality
Tackle & Bait
Permits
Carp
Bream
Roach
Pike
Perch
Barbel – we’ve never encountered one, but are reliably informed they’re there
Rudd
One – to five feet for the majority. The average depth is around three-four feet.
Variable. Classed as moderate ecological status by DEFRA. Whilst we wouldn’t recommend swimming in it, the canal is significantly cleaner than even a few years ago. Although some companies have been caught dumping sewage in various sections.
Much like the Grand Union, Regent’s Canal has a real mixture of coarse fish. You can target predatory fish on a lure fishing setup, bread for carp and bream or worms and maggots for everything else.
Our best advice is to travel light. For predator fishing a travel rod and lure kit is perfect. For carp, bream and non-predatory river fish a longer two or three-piece coarse fishing rod with a sensitive tip is perfect.
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12 month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one day license for just £6.
One of London’s slightly lesser known rivers, the River Lea (leading onto the River Lee Navigation) is a lively 27.5-mile stretch of water that runs from Hertford, through Waltham Forest and into The River Thames at Canning Town.
The stretch of river that runs from Waltham Abbey to Tottenham is arguably the best stretch of river to fish and is owned by The River Lea Angler’s Club where you’ll need at least a day ticket to fish this six-mile stretch of water.
Pro Tip: There are some fantastic weirs on The River Lea that hold some really sizeable pike. One in The Olympic Park and one further north in the River Lee Country Park near Cheshunt.
One of the River Lea’s best features is the abundance of structure. Canal boats, overhanging branches, trees and banks are in abundance in the right areas and specimen fish are not uncommon. Albeit hard to catch.
Fish
Depth
Water Quality
Tackle & Bait
Permits
Carp
Bream
Chub
Roach
Perch
Pike
Barbel
Eel
Rudd
Tench
Catfish
Variable. At Bow levels tend to be around 2m but the river has some spots that are significantly deeper. Particularly in areas further north and around the weirs and locks associated with some fantastic fish.
Unfortunately, The River Lea is a heavily polluted river. This has been an ongoing problem for some time, culminating in 2019 when Clapton residents noticed hundreds of dead fish in the water.
In 2021 Hackney Council felt compelled to write to The Environment Agency demanding action to clean up the river such is the concern around the litter and visible pollution. Volunteers claim to be pulling over 100kg of plastic pollution from the river each month.
Because the river is much quieter than its canal counterparts you can afford to take a little more equipment with you. And as the river is much deeper it supports more life and larger fish. Double-figure barbel, bream and carp are not uncommon. 15lb+ pike and monster perch are within your grasp too.
Lures and spinners
Float fishing
Ledger weights
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
Dead baits
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12-month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one-day license for just £6.
The River Lea Angler’s Club owns the six-mile stretch of river that runs from Tottenham to Waltham Abbey. This section of the river has no close season and is open 365 days a year and a day ticket is just £5.
The River Wandle is a superb fly fishing location and a fascinating little tributary of The Thames that runs from Croydon into the river at Wandsworth. This nine-mile chalk stream is steeped in industrial history, playing a key role in the manufacture of textiles, paper and tobacco throughout the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. At one point the river had 68 manufacturing mills – one every 0.13 miles.
We walked the length of the river in 2021 with – if we’re being generous – mixed results when it came to fishing. But in certain stretches of the lower river, it is teeming with life and a beautiful day out. The nature of the river changes dramatically in the middle section in Poulter Park where sewage discharge (perfectly clean sewage discharge we should add) raises the temperature and nitrate/phosphate content, encouraging coarse fishing species.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to fish for trout, then the upper river around Carshalton / Hackbridge up until Morden is your best bet. If you identify as a coarse fisherman – it’s 2022, anything’s possible – there are some near 30lb carp in the middle section.
Whilst The Wandle has some fantastic fishing – famed for its trout – it can be a tricky river to fish due to how shallow, narrow and overgrown it becomes. As a London resident, your best bet is to get the tube to Morden, enter the river at Morden Hall Park in the upper/middle river and walk north until Earlsfield when the river gets a little too overgrown and industrial.
Fish
Depth
Water Quality
Tackle & Bait
Permits
Mirror Carp
Koi Carp
Ghost Carp
Common Carp
Barbel
Trout
Chub
Eel
Rudd
Gudgeon
Roach
Dace
The upper river is notoriously shallow – hence why it holds such a strong populace of brown trout – and the chalk stream is typically only a couple of feet deep top. Although at Hackbridge it reaches nearly two metres where there are some wide, deep pools.
The middle river has some equally deep pools, but is still only one – two feet deep for the majority of it. The lower river from Earslfield still contains some deep pools, but is partially manmade and shallow.
Historically The Wandle has been ecologically and environmentally exploited through increased industrialisation. The river was a major conduit for powering London’s industrial growth in the 18th century, receiving the unwelcome moniker of being ‘one of the hardest-worked rivers for its size in the world.’
And as chalk stream fish like trout only thrive in clean ecosystems, it is safe to say The Wandle’s water quality is significantly improved.
The river is such a diverse blend of species, topography and manmade structures that carp up to 30lb and barbel to 15 have been documented as unofficial records. As such the tackle and bait you bring can vary greatly.
Our top tip here – particularly if you’re walking the river – would be to pack light as it’s quite snaggy. If you’re game fishing, a travel rod and lure fishing setup would be ample. If you’re fly fishing, a rod, reel and vest combo is perfect. If you decide to coarse fish specific sections, there are some fantastic weirs in the upper and middle rivers where you can setup camp.
Fly-fishing
Lures and spinners
Float fishing
Ledger weights
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
Dead baits
Landing mat and net
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12-month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one-day license for just £6. And whilst the coarse fishing close season is in effect, the game fishing season on the Wandle runs from April – to September, so fishing is (nearly) year-round.
Whilst the best fishing spots – typically in the middle river – are owned by Morden Hall Park Angling Club, certain areas of The Wandle are fishable with just an environment agency license. Ravensbury Park is a popular fishing venue with a strong head of large carp, barbel and trout amongst other species that can be fished with a standard fishing license. Deen City Farm is another ‘free-fishing’ area.
We would recommend joining the Wandle Piscators. Your membership grants you access to all Rother Fishery waters and supports the environmental restoration of the river for just £25 per year.
Jack’s Lake – or HAPS (the Hadley Angling and Preservation Society) – is a fantastic lake in north London that has 44 pegs, 29 of which are available on a day ticket.
At just £8 for one rod or £13 for two, it’s brilliant value for such a quiet, friendly setting. Just remember to bring cash as the bailiff doesn’t take card payments. If you decide to purchase an annual membership you get access to an otherwise closed-off section of the lake and a night fishing permit.
Pro Tip: In May of 2022 the lake was restocked with a couple of hundred carp and fishing sessions since then have been incredibly productive. And not limited to carp either. We fished there just after the restocking and ledger weight fishing around the manmade islands was most effective.
Fish
Depth
Water Quality
Tackle & Bait
Membership
Bream
Roach
Carp
Tench
Pike – rumoured to be close to 20lb in weight
Perch
Eels
Barbel
Unconfirmed, but even though there might be some pockets of slightly deeper water, the entire lake doesn’t get any deeper than six or seven feet.
Originally Jack’s Lake was created in the 1880s as an estate lake for the owners of Beech Hill House. Until the 1960s it was used as a boating lake and up until 1982 – when HAPS purchased the lake – it was overgrown and was in a sorry state.
Since then the lake was drained, and de-silted, the vegetation cut back, and aggregate and drainage pipes added to ensure the recently stocked fish can thrive.
Jack’s Lake is relatively straightforward when it comes to tackle and setup. Start with a weighted setup and fish from the centre.
Fishing out towards the centre of the lake around the manmade islands with ledger weights is very successful for carp. For smaller perch and coarse fish, fishing near the margins was very effective.
Lures and spinners – only in the game fishing season from October – March
Float fishing
Feeder fishing
Ledger weights
Landing mat and net
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
PVA bags permitted at bailiffs discretion
Dead baits – no live baiting and it must be commercially purchased
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12 month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one day license for just £6.
Membership at HAPS gives you access to a cordoned off section of the lake, night fishing and up to two rods without a day ticket. For any membership enquiries contact [email protected].
For day ticket members – like us – £8 for one rod or £13 for two is great value. Remember to bring cash.
06.
Barnes & Mortlake Angling Preservation Society
BMAPS has three separate lakes all in southwest London that are all exclusive to members. No day tickets are allowed. The club is run by a committee who are overwhelmingly friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have about the lakes.
One of the club’s best features is the lake access. Instead of being bailiff-reliant – although of course there’s always one present – you are sent access codes as you become a member or when you book a session.
Pro Tip: The Thames Young Mariners Lake – located in Ham, Richmond – is the most ‘exotic’ lake of the three because it has a direct connection to The Thames. As opposed to being a stocked lake, it is all-natural, with carp, pike and even flounders and mullet stocked by the river.
Potomac Lake in Gunnersbury Park once held the British record for pike at 38lb 4oz. Whilst this behemoth is no longer there, 20lb plus pike and 30lb plus carp are present.
Variable. Shadwell’s Pool at Barnes is the smallest of the three lakes at one and a half acres and five feet deep. Potomac Lake was originally a clay pit that is up to 24 feet deep. Thames Young Mariners is somewhere between the two, but closer to Potomac than Shadwell’s Pool.
Excellent across the three lakes. Thames Young Mariners in Ham is more at risk of external factors as it is directly linked to The Thames, but the other lakes have been lovingly restored and looked after. Your membership fee goes someway to ensuring quality.
The three lakes have substantial differences in topography which means the fishing can be quite unique.
As Potomac Lake is an old clay pit that reaches 24 feet in depth, the water temperature and visibility can have a significant impact on how you should fish. Whereas Shadwell’s Pool is only five feet deep at its peak, so is much more consistent. Although the silty bottom means round baits can sink, consider lighter bait options or fishing off the bottom.
Thames Young Mariners can be a real lucky dip, and we’ve had success with multiple methods.
Lures and spinners – only in the game fishing season from October – March
Float fishing
Feeder fishing
Ledger weights
Landing mat and net
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
Dead baits
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12-month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one-day license for just £6.
Membership at BMAPS grants you access to all three fishing waters should you wish. Although you can also buy a Gunnersbury Potomac-only membership or a Shadwell and Thames Young Mariners option.
The all-in option comes in at around £200 per year (with the year running from April – March) and night fishing is an add-on.
07.
Walthamstow Reservoirs
Arguably the most picturesque venue in London, Walthamstow Wetlands is the city’s largest fishery. Located in the heart of the Lee Valley in north London it is made up of nine individual reservoirs (and a river) stocked with specimen carp, bream, chub and barbel alongside the occasional large pike and perch.
For the fly-fisherman among us three of the nine reservoirs are designated fly-fishing lakes that are stocked with rainbow and brown trout. They’re stocked at a minimum size of 2lb 4oz with maximum weights comfortably into the double figures.
Fishing can be a real challenge here if you’re ill-prepared. Reservoirs one, two and three are good starting points to help you get used to the pegs. The Coppermill Stream is a beautiful 1km long coarse fishing stretch that runs directly through the centre. The Maynards on the other hand are trickier and we’ve never fished either Lockwood or West Warwick.
Pro Tip: If you’re coming off a run of blanks and need to feel the bend in the rod, reservoir one is the easiest of all the coarse fisheries. Named the baby lake by those in the know, there are sizeable bream, pike and perch, even holding carp up close to the 40lb mark.
If you’re in dire need of a fish, or you’re taking a first-timer, there’s a tiny stocked lake next to the entrance that is almost impossible to fail.
Fish
Depth
Water Quality
Tackle & Bait
Membership
Carp – the largest on record being a mirror or 45lb 12oz
Trout
Pike – supposedly the largest on record weighing in at 35lb from the Coppermill Stream
Perch
Bream
Eels
Roach
Chub
Barbel – multiple double figures on record
Variable. The ‘lighter’ reservoirs (one, two, three and Lower Maynard) are all up to 10 feet in depth and the fly fishing reservoirs aren’t dissimilar.
Higher Maynard and West Warwick are 19 feet at their peak. Lockwood – the big ‘un – is up to 34 feet deep.
As Walthamstow Wetlands is the premier source of water for over 3.5 million Londoners – and an important ecological site for waterfowl and birds of prey – the overall water quality is excellent. The Coppermill Stream itself is crystal clear and if you;re lucky you’ll spot a school of bream or carp near the mill.
The incredible funding received by the council from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Thames Water and the Greater London Authority – totaling around 7.5 million – has created further opportunities to improve water quality, such as the creation of new reedbeds.
One of the great things about Walthamstow Wetlands is the sheer scale and topographical differences. Some reservoirs are only 10 feet deep, and some run to 34 feet. The Coppermill stream is very shallow and fantastic for shallow or surface fishing.
Lures and spinners
Float fishing
Feeder fishing
Fly fishing
Ledger weights
Landing mat and net – essential
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
Dead baits
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12-month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one-day license for just £6.
For the Walthamstow Wetlands Fishery, you can purchase day tickets for just £15 (up to 3 rods) or sign up for an annual membership for anywhere between £100 to £400 depending on what exactly you’re looking to fish. You can see the full price list here and all additional information about it.
Fly fishing runs a similar price list. A 75 fish season will set you back £400 with a 35 fish top up adding an extra £180.
08.
Epping Forest
Epping Forest is home to 25 different fishing lakes of which Baldwins Pond and Blackweir / Lost Pond are our favourites. Both are fairly small ponds, but absolutely beautiful and full of features for fish to hide in. Baldwins in particular has been like shooting fish in a barrel. Albeit mainly smaller roach and rudd.
And it’s not just coarse fishing either. The abundance of insect life makes the fly-fishing at Thornwood Springs excellent. A good place for newbies, particularly as you can hire tackle (including rods and reels) and take your child with you. All on the same ticket.
Pro Tip: Whilst Hollow Ponds was once a thriving lake – and still holds some specimen carp – the lake’s stocks have dwindled massively the council has removed the majority of fish over the years. Although on the odd occasion, you’ll still see a 30lb+ carp in the margins.
Fish
Depth
Water Quality
Tackle & Bait
Membership
Common Carp
Mirror Carp
Koi Carp
Roach
Perch
Trout
Most of the ponds and lakes are relatively shallow. Somewhere between the 5 – 10 feet mark.
There have been no major incidents cited in the recent past.
Epping Forest’s fisheries have some relatively stringent guidelines you should be aware of before you start fishing there.
Absolutely no lure fishing, floating baits, barbed hooks, braided lines or spinners allowed. No night fishing, keep nets or using two rods simultaneously. And it is strictly catch-and-release.
And if you’re fly fishing in Thornwood Springs you must release all browns and tigers quickly, alongside any rainbows above 10lb. With barbless hooks only.
Float fishing
Feeder fishing
Fly fishing
Ledger weights
Landing mat and net – essential
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
Dead baits – no live baiting allowed
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12-month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one-day license for just £6.
There are clear ‘no fishing’ signs to adhere to and Thornwood Springs catch and keep prices start at £20, with £5 supplement to bring a guest. Other than that you just need an EA rod license.
09.
Picks Cottage
Picks Cottage is a five-lake fishery complex exclusively for members. Each lake serves a clear purpose and caters to the full angling spectrum. Great for beginners and specimen anglers alike. Just don’t get the lakes confused.
The Float Pond which is used as our fishery stock pond to rear juvenile fish. Typically the carp, tench and crucians are around 1 – 4lb in weight. Only available from late spring through to early autumn.
The Top Match Lake is a 12-peg lake containing carp up to 16lb, tench, bream, perch, roach and rudd
The Doughnut Lake is a 15-peg lake (with one disabled swim) containing carp up to 20lb and catfish up to 35lb
The S Lake is a challenging lake for more serious anglers stocked with specimen carp up to 35lb
The Barrow Lake is a three-peg lake stocked with specimen carp up to 28lb. The weed makes this pond a real challenge.
Pro Tip: The fishery has an excellent tackle shop that stocks Korda, Nash, Trakka, Fox and Cygnet.
Fish
Depth
Water Quality
Tackle & Bait
Membership
Carp
Catfish
Tench
Roach
Rudd
Bream
Most of the ponds and lakes are relatively shallow. Somewhere between the 5 – 10 feet mark.
The water quality is fantastic. As it’s a members-only fishery, you’re expecting a high standard and you won’t be disappointed.
If you decide to fish the smaller float lake, then a light setup is essential as the fish are 1 – 4 lb in weight. The specimen lakes require heavier tackle of course, but need to be fished appropriately.
For example, S Lake has a silty bottom and runs to 10 feet deep. So fishing off the bottom with harder, round bait can be tricky. Whereas Barrow Lake has a harder clay bottom and is easier to fish heavier bottom baits and tackle.
Float fishing
Feeder fishing
Ledger weights
Landing mat and net – essential
Boilies
Bread, corn and ground bait
Worms
Maggots
You need an environment agency fishing license for any freshwater fishing in England (except the River Tweed). If you don’t want to purchase a 12-month license -although it’s only £30 – you can purchase a one-day license for just £6.
At only £39.99 for a yearly membership, Picks is excellent value. You do need to pay extra for one-off sessions, even as a member. These come in at £12 for a half day of six hours and £17 for six hours +.
Such is the fishery’s popularity there are no new memberships available for 2022.
FAQs
Where can I fish in London?
In London, you can fish in the Grand Union Canal, Regent’s Canal, the River Thames, the River Wandle, Hampstead Heath, Walthamstow Wetlands, Epping Forest, Battersea Park, the River Lea, Gunnersbury Park, Syon Park, Tooting Common, Wimbledon Common and Picks Cottage.
Where can I fish near London?
There are many fisheries on the outskirts of London like Picks Cottage, Syon Park – Albury Estates and Epping Forest. Essex itself is famous for carp fishing and has a multitude of specialist coarse fisheries. Norfolk is famed for pike and bass fishing is starting to really take off on the east coast. And Chichester or Brighton on the south coast have good sea fishing roots.
Where can I fish in London for free?
There are sections of both Regents and the Grand Union Canal that can be fished for free. As can the River Lea in sections – but check regulations first. And The Thames offers free fishing to those brave enough to try it – it’s not easy!
The River Wandle – outside of the Morden Angling Club sections – can be fished freely. As can Epping Forest and certain parks and commons have lakes you may be able to fish.
Hi, I'm Harry. A keen, albeit exceedingly average fisherman. I've spent the last few years trawling London's waterways with - if I'm being kind - varied success and would love to help you avoid the mistakes I have made.
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