Fishing

Cumbria has more fishing waters than any other county in England, and Eden offers many opportunities to enjoy this past time. Try your hand at fishing on the River Eden and its tributaries or on Lake Ullswater.

Rod Fishing License

You must have a rod fishing licence for England and Wales if you’re fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel with a rod and line in:

• England (except the River Tweed)
• Wales
• the Border Esk region, including the parts of the river that are in Scotland

This includes if you are fishing on private land, such as angling club waters or private fishing lakes.

More information on buying a rod fishing licence is available on the Gov.uk website.  Ensure that you have the relevant landowners permission before going onto private land and always check if any restrictions apply.

The Eden Rivers Trust

Set up in 1996, The Eden Rivers Trust is an environmental charity dedicated to improving and protecting the River Eden, its tributaries and lakes in the Eden Valley, making it a better place for people and wildlife.  Visit the Eden Rivers Trust website for more information on the River Eden and how you can help protect it.

Flowing south to north, and running from Armathwaite, through Wetheral and Carlisle, to the river's estuary on the Solway Firth.  The Cumbria Fly Fishing website has useful information for this stretch of the River Eden.

Fishing: River Eden Middle Reaches

From the Temple Sowerby area, just past Watersmeet (the point where the River Eamont meets the River Eden) to Armathwaite, through Temple Sowerby, Eden Lacy and Lazonby and close to the market town of Penrith.

The lower end of the River Eamont is famous for the quality of the brown trout. There are two beats, one flows alongside the ancient church of Ninekirks and has several good pools. The other 

is at Udford which is wider and flows more slowly into the Eden. More information is available on the Penrith Angling Association website.

Fishing: River Eden - near Lazonby

Four and half miles of fishing mostly let to season rods but with some opportunity for day visitors. Brown trout and grayling fishing may also be available from time to time. For prices and booking contact Linda Atkinson on 01768 898229.
 

Eden Lacy

The Eden Lacy fishery comprises 1.8 miles of the left bank. It is one of the most attractive beats on the river comprising 15 named pools with a fishing hut set amongst a wooded and wild flower area opposite the renowned Lacy’s Caves. Fish: Salmon, Brown Trout and Grayling. For more information please visit www.rivereden.co.uk

River Eden Upper Reaches:

Flowing from the source of the river on Mallerstang Common, to Watersmeet, near Temple Sowerby, where the Rivers Eden and Eamont join.

Bessy Beck Trout Farm, Newbiggin on Lune, Kirkby Stephen

The lakes have been established for a number of years and have a varied fly life and they are suitable for any form of fly fishing. They are stocked from the rearing facility at Bessy Beck with Triploid Rainbow trout and blue trout.  Visit the Bessy Beck Trout Farm website for more information.

Blencarn Lake Fly Fishing

10 miles east of Penrith. A single 15 acre stream fed reservoir, in peaceful farming countryside. Coloured shallow water.  More information is available on the Blencarn Lake Fly Fishing website.

Whins Pond Coarse Fishery, Edenhall, Penrith

The fishery comprises a large scenic lake split into two sections by a net. The coarse section covers about 8 acres and has 30 pegs and is well stocked with tench, bream, carp and roach.  Day permits are available, for more information telephone 01768 862671.

Ullswater

Much of the fishing within the National Park is controlled by local Angling Associations. These welcome visitors and offer a range of day or weekly permits. Visitors can also enjoy fishing for free on Ullswater.  Visit the Lake District National Park website for more information on fishing in the Lake District.

Rookin House, Troutbeck, near Penrith

The family fishing pond is ideal for beginners and children. The fishing pitches are on a pond, which is well stocked with rainbow trout, so, with a little skill, you could catch your dinner! All fishing tackle and bait are provided.  Visit the Rookin House website for more information.

Alston and District Angling Association

Alston and District Angling Association beats cover approximately 10 miles of the Upper South Tyne for salmon and sea trout fishing.  
 

Appleby Angling Association

Appleby Angling Association was established over 70 years ago and is centred on the historic market town of Appleby-in-Westmorland.  Appleby Angling Association controls approximately 20 miles of fishing on the Rivers Eden and Lyvennet. In addition, by the use of exchange tickets with neighbouring clubs, members have extensive access to excellent fishing on the River Eden and other rivers in Cumbria.  For further details, visit the Appleby Angling Association website.

Penrith Angling Association

Penrith Angling Association control over 40 miles of fishing on the rivers Eden, Eamont, Lowther, Petteril, Lyvennet, Leith, Dacre Beck, Biggle Beck and Trout Beck. Visitor tickets available.  Visit the Penrith Angling Association website for more information.
 

Tebay Anglers

The Club’s waters cover some 15 miles of Brown Trout, Sea Trout and Salmon fishing along the River Lune and its tributaries. Their waters are easy to find as Tebay is situated adjacent to Junction 38 on the M6 and is 12 miles north of Kendal, 12 miles south-west of Kirkby Stephen on the A685.  Visit the Tebay Anglers website for more information.

The Yorkshire Fly-Fishers' Club

Yorkshire Fly Fishers’ is an open, welcoming and friendly club, with 35 miles of beautiful, lightly fished, keeper managed water.  They have fishing in Cumbria on the rivers Eden, Eamont, Lune and Lyvennet.  They offer premium, easy to access beats with fly fishing for Salmon, Sea Trout, Brown Trout and Grayling, including many miles of secluded double bank fishing.  For more information, visit the Yorkshire Fly-Fishers' Club website.

Kirkby Stephen and District Angling Association

Kirkby Stephen and District Angling Association control some nine miles of fishing on the River Eden and a further four miles on the River Belah and Scandal Beck.  No stocking is carried out and all these waters offer fly fishing for wild brown trout amid beautiful scenery. 

Stretches of the River Eden include: Pendragon, Wharton Hall, Frank's Bridge, Eastfield Bridge, Beckfoot, Musgrave, Ploughlands, Warcop, River Belah - above and below Belah Bridge.  Visit the Kirkby Stephen and District Angling Association website for more information.

Border Game Angling

Fully qualified and fully insured AAPGAI and FFF game angling instructor offering instruction on many beats of the River Eden since 1997.  Visit the Border Game Angling website for more information.
 

Fishing Shops:

Penrith area:

Go Outdoors, Ullswater Road, Penrith, CA11 7EH
Telephone: 0344 387 6841
Website: www.gooutdoors.co.uk

John Norris of Penrith, 21 Victoria Road, Penrith, CA11 8HP
Telephone: 01768 864211
Email: sales@johnnorris.co.uk
Website: www.johnnorris.co.uk

Kirkby Stephen area:

Bessy Beck Trout Farm, Newbiggin-on-Lune, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4LY
Telephone: 015396 23303
Website: www.bessybecktrout.co.uk