Frequently asked questions

See answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Some of our most frequently asked questions are answered below. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please contact us directly.
When does the trout fishing season start & end?
When does the trout fishing season start and end?

Find our more about our season opening dates.

Bank fishing can commence at 7am on opening day and the lodges will be open from 8am for boat anglers.

Winter permit prices will apply after 14 October and all brown trout must be returned to the water unharmed after this date.

Boat fishing ends at Blagdon on Thursday 31 October and at Chew on Tuesday 5 November. The final day of the season for bank anglers at Chew Valley, Blagdon and Barrow Tanks is 30 November.

What's included with a purchased boat permit?
What's included with a purchased boat permit?

Boat hire and your fishing permit. Boats are supplied with anchors, oars, bailers and an engine (fuel is supplied).

Our pike fishing boat permits for dead bait/lure sessions allow a maximum of two anglers to fish.

What time can I arrive for bank pike fishing?
What time can I arrive for bank pike fishing?

Permitted arrival, departure and fishing times will be published on our website under the 'pike fishing' tab.

What tackle do I need for fly fishing at Bristol Water Fisheries?
What tackle do I need for fly fishing at Bristol Water Fisheries?

Bank anglers will most commonly be found using 9ft to 10ft rods matched with WF6 to WF8 lines. Shooting head type lines, such as the Airflo 40 plus, are also popular for bank anglers.

A line tray and landing net with a spiked handle will also come in useful when wading in the margins. Boat anglers often prefer to use 10ft rods, although it is not essential. Depending on weather conditions a huge variety of lines in different ratings can be employed from the boats although WF6 to WF8 are most commonly used. Many of our visiting anglers like to use floating or midge tip lines although sinking lines are also very useful especially early and late season. For leaders/tippets we recommend copolymer or fluorocarbon materials in breaking strains no lower than 8lb. Although many anglers carry dozens, if not hundreds, of fly patterns, do not get carried away.

Diawl bachs, crunchers and buzzers in size 10 and 12 plus a small selection of mini lures will always catch fish. For dry flies, emerger patterns such as Bob's bits and shipmans buzzer are local favourites.

What are the fishery opening hours?
What are the fishery opening hours?

Trout Bank anglers can fish from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Anglers fishing on Chew Valley's North Shore should use the car park at Picnic Area 2 when fishing early and late, as gates at the main picnic area are locked at sunset. Boats at Chew and Blagdon are normally prepared by 8.30am but after extreme weather it can sometimes take staff longer to ensure boats are clean, bailed and safe to use.

Blagdon Lodge is open during fishing season Mon – Sun, 8am - 10am. Woodford Lodge (Chew Valley Lake) is open during fishing season Mon – Sun, 8am - 4pm.

Is pike fishing available at all lakes?
Is pike fishing available at all lakes?

No, pike fishing is only available at Chew Valley Lake.

Do I need to sign in if I am bank fishing?
Do I need to sign in if I am bank fishing?

No, there is no requirement to sign in. Head straight to the area you intend to fish. Don't forget to send in your catch return after fishing in our waters.

Can I just turn up for pike fishing?
Can I just turn up for pike fishing?

No, pike fishing with lures and dead baits is limited to 41 days per year on Chew Valley Lake. We open our lines for bookings in early January and are usually fully booked for the year within three days.

Fly fishing for pike is allowed during the trout fishing season on Chew Valley Lake only. Fly fishing for pike is chargeable at standard trout fishing rates with exception of our pike fly fishing offering at Blagdon lake.

Are there suitable facilities for disabled access to the lakes?
Are there suitable facilities for disabled access to the lakes?

There is allocated disabled parking at Chew and Blagdon Lake. If you would like assistance, please state this when booking a permit so that we can accommodate your requirements. An adapted  boat for wheelchair users is only currently available at Chew Valley Lake.

Are there birdwatching facilities at all lakes?
Are there birdwatching facilities at all lakes?

Yes, but these are only available when competitions are not scheduled at the smaller lakes – for example, Litton and Blagdon. For more information please visit our activities page.

When does the trout fishing season start and end?

Find our more about our season opening dates.

Bank fishing can commence at 7am on opening day and the lodges will be open from 8am for boat anglers.

Winter permit prices will apply after 14 October and all brown trout must be returned to the water unharmed after this date.

Boat fishing ends at Blagdon on Thursday 31 October and at Chew on Tuesday 5 November. The final day of the season for bank anglers at Chew Valley, Blagdon and Barrow Tanks is 30 November.

What's included with a purchased boat permit?

Boat hire and your fishing permit. Boats are supplied with anchors, oars, bailers and an engine (fuel is supplied).

Our pike fishing boat permits for dead bait/lure sessions allow a maximum of two anglers to fish.

What time can I arrive for bank pike fishing?

Permitted arrival, departure and fishing times will be published on our website under the 'pike fishing' tab.

What tackle do I need for fly fishing at Bristol Water Fisheries?

Bank anglers will most commonly be found using 9ft to 10ft rods matched with WF6 to WF8 lines. Shooting head type lines, such as the Airflo 40 plus, are also popular for bank anglers.

A line tray and landing net with a spiked handle will also come in useful when wading in the margins. Boat anglers often prefer to use 10ft rods, although it is not essential. Depending on weather conditions a huge variety of lines in different ratings can be employed from the boats although WF6 to WF8 are most commonly used. Many of our visiting anglers like to use floating or midge tip lines although sinking lines are also very useful especially early and late season. For leaders/tippets we recommend copolymer or fluorocarbon materials in breaking strains no lower than 8lb. Although many anglers carry dozens, if not hundreds, of fly patterns, do not get carried away.

Diawl bachs, crunchers and buzzers in size 10 and 12 plus a small selection of mini lures will always catch fish. For dry flies, emerger patterns such as Bob's bits and shipmans buzzer are local favourites.

What are the fishery opening hours?

Trout Bank anglers can fish from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Anglers fishing on Chew Valley's North Shore should use the car park at Picnic Area 2 when fishing early and late, as gates at the main picnic area are locked at sunset. Boats at Chew and Blagdon are normally prepared by 8.30am but after extreme weather it can sometimes take staff longer to ensure boats are clean, bailed and safe to use.

Blagdon Lodge is open during fishing season Mon – Sun, 8am - 10am. Woodford Lodge (Chew Valley Lake) is open during fishing season Mon – Sun, 8am - 4pm.

Is pike fishing available at all lakes?

No, pike fishing is only available at Chew Valley Lake.

Do I need to sign in if I am bank fishing?

No, there is no requirement to sign in. Head straight to the area you intend to fish. Don't forget to send in your catch return after fishing in our waters.

Can I just turn up for pike fishing?

No, pike fishing with lures and dead baits is limited to 41 days per year on Chew Valley Lake. We open our lines for bookings in early January and are usually fully booked for the year within three days.

Fly fishing for pike is allowed during the trout fishing season on Chew Valley Lake only. Fly fishing for pike is chargeable at standard trout fishing rates with exception of our pike fly fishing offering at Blagdon lake.

Are there suitable facilities for disabled access to the lakes?

There is allocated disabled parking at Chew and Blagdon Lake. If you would like assistance, please state this when booking a permit so that we can accommodate your requirements. An adapted  boat for wheelchair users is only currently available at Chew Valley Lake.

Are there birdwatching facilities at all lakes?

Yes, but these are only available when competitions are not scheduled at the smaller lakes – for example, Litton and Blagdon. For more information please visit our activities page.