Best Fishing in Brighton (2026): Top Spots, Lakes & Rivers Within 25 Miles
50 named fishing venues sit within 25 miles of Brighton — carp lakes, day-ticket fisheries, canals and river stretches. Below are the top 12, sorted by distance, with species, descriptions and direct links to each venue page.
Listicle
Top 12 Fishing Spots in Brighton
Sorted by distance from Brighton city centre. Click any venue for full details: species, facilities, postcode and how to book.
- 1
Swanborough Fishing Lake
· 6 miles E of BrightonSwanborough Fishing Lake is a lake in South East England. Open GilledIt to see recent catches, weather and directions.
- 2
Passies pond fishery
· 8 miles W of BrightonPassies pond fishery sits in South East England and is mapped on GilledIt as a reservoir. See what's been caught recently in the GilledIt app.
- 3
Brooklands Lake
· 8 miles W of BrightonSet in South East England, Brooklands Lake is a lake. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 4
Wintons Fishery
· 9 miles N of BrightonWintons Fishery is a lake in South East England. Check the GilledIt app for live catch reports and conditions.
- 5
Alderwood Ponds
· 10 miles NW of BrightonFamily-run coarse fishery and campsite in Steyning, West Sussex with three waters, day and night fishing, cabins, camping and clear visitor information.
barbelcarpchubperchpikeroach
- 6
Wiston Pond
· 10 miles NW of BrightonWiston Pond is a lake in South East England. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 7
Barcombe Reservoir
· 11 miles NE of BrightonBarcombe Reservoir is a reservoir in South East England. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club — check for day tickets and access before travelling. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 8
Arlington Reservoir
· 14 miles E of BrightonArlington Reservoir is a reservoir in South East England. UK reservoirs are often managed for trout or coarse fishing through a water company or club — check for day tickets and access before travelling. Track catches and weather for this water in the GilledIt app.
- 9
Andy's Fishery
· 14 miles N of BrightonAndy's Fishery is a fishing venue near Slaugham.
- 10
Arun Angling Centre
· 15 miles W of BrightonFound in South East England, Arun Angling Centre is a fishing venue listed on GilledIt. On-site facilities include tackle shop. Open GilledIt to see recent catches, weather and directions.
- 11
Framfield Fishery
· 15 miles NE of BrightonFramfield Fishery is a fishery in South East England. On-site facilities include parking. See what's been caught recently in the GilledIt app.
- 12
Pulborough Angling Society
· 15 miles NW of BrightonPulborough Angling Society club lakes in Thakeham, West Sussex, suiting pleasure, match and specimen anglers, with secure parking and a strong stock of carp, bream, pike and tench.
breamcarpcatfishcrucianmirror carpperch
Want more options? Browse the full regional pond directory →
Access & Licensing
Free vs Day-Ticket Fishing Near Brighton
Most UK fishing falls into one of three access types. Here's how they break down around your area.
Day-Ticket Fisheries
Commercial venues with stocked lakes, pegs, parking and toilets. Tickets typically £8–£25 per day. Best for beginners, families and anyone wanting reliable bites near Brighton.
Free Fishing
Public stretches of river, canal towpaths and some park lakes. No venue fee — but you still need a valid rod licence (or permit in Scotland and NI). Plenty of free urban water exists around Brighton.
Club Waters
Annual club memberships (£30–£150/year) unlock multiple lakes and river beats around Brighton. Best value if you fish weekly. Most clubs have waiting lists for prime carp waters.
Licence requirement in Brighton
Anyone aged 13+ fishing freshwater in Brighton needs an Environment Agency rod licence. A 1-day licence costs £7.30, 8-day £14.70, and a full annual coarse and trout licence £36.80 (2025-26 rates). You can buy one in minutes at GOV.UK. Sea fishing from the shore is free and needs no licence.
When to Go
Best Time to Fish Near Brighton
Each season opens different doors. Here's what to target through the year.
Spring
March – May
Spring is when waters near Brighton wake up. Stillwater carp start feeding from late April once temperatures climb above 10°C. Trout season opens in most rivers and reservoirs from mid-March. Note the statutory river close season runs 15 March to 15 June for coarse fish in England and Wales.
Summer
June – August
Peak season. Carp, tench and bream feed hard on stillwaters around Brighton, rivers reopen on 16 June, and barbel come into form. Early-morning and late-evening sessions beat the heat. Sea fishing along the nearest coast picks up for mackerel and bass.
Autumn
September – November
Autumn around Brighton is the predator-angler's window — pike, perch and zander start hunting hard as small fish shoal up. Carp also feed up before winter. River conditions are usually at their best after the first decent rain.
Winter
December – February
Winter near Brighton thins the crowds. Pike fishing peaks on rivers and reservoirs, chub stay catchable on rivers throughout, and stocked rainbow trout fisheries fish well year-round. Pick mild, overcast days and target deeper water where fish hold up.
Brighton Fishing FAQ
There are over 50 named fishing venues within 25 miles of Brighton, ranging from commercial day-ticket carp lakes to free stretches of river and canal. The top spots within easy reach include Swanborough Fishing Lake, Passies pond fishery, Brooklands Lake. Each offers different species and access — see the listing below for distance, species and a description of each venue.
Yes. While you still need an Environment Agency rod licence, plenty of free fishing exists near Brighton along Canal & River Trust towpaths (over 2,000 miles of waterway across England and Wales), public river stretches and some council park lakes. Many urban canals running through Brighton can be fished for free with just a rod licence.
Yes. Brighton is in England and Wales, so anyone aged 13 or over fishing inland waters needs an Environment Agency rod licence. Prices start at £7.30 for one day or £36.80 for a full year (2025-26). Under 13s fish free. Sea fishing from the shore is free and needs no licence unless you target salmon or sea trout.
The most commonly stocked and reported species across venues within 25 miles of Brighton are Carp, Perch, Pike, Roach, Rudd, Tench. Carp is the dominant target species at most commercial fisheries, while rivers and reservoirs in the area also hold pike, perch, roach, bream and tench.
Based on proximity and venue data, Swanborough Fishing Lake is the closest fishing venue to Brighton at around 6 miles E. Swanborough Fishing Lake is a lake in South East England. Open GilledIt to see recent catches, weather and directions. Browse the listing below to compare top venues by distance.
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