Best Fishing in Bristol (2026): Top Spots, Lakes & Rivers Within 50 Miles
61 named fishing venues sit within 50 miles of Bristol — 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 Bristol
Sorted by distance from Bristol city centre. Click any venue for full details: species, facilities, postcode and how to book.
- 1
Century Ponds
· 4 miles SE of BristolKeynsham Angling Association water in Bath and North East Somerset offering coarse and game fishing across Century Ponds and the Rivers Chew and Bristol Avon.
carpcatfishperchpiketenchtrout
- 2
Jacklands Fishing Lakes
· 8 miles W of BristolJacklands Fishing Lakes is a fishing venue near Bristol.
- 3
Blagdon Fishing Lodge
· 10 miles SW of BristolBlagdon Fishing Lodge is a fishing venue near Blagdon.
- 4
Silver Springs Fishing Lake
· 12 miles SW of BristolSilver Springs Fishing Lake is a fishing venue near Congresbury.
- 5
Mendip Fishery
· 15 miles S of BristolMendip Fishery in Somerset is members-only (not on Exchange Tickets) with three lakes; book and pay £1 via the Clubmate Fishing app or risk paying the full bank rate.
carpchubperchpikeroachrudd
- 6
New City Anglers
· 18 miles NW of BristolNew City Anglers is a fishing venue near Liswerry, holding barbel, carp, catfish, chub, perch.
barbelcarpcatfishchubperchpike
- 7
Peterstone Trout Lakes
· 19 miles W of BristolPeterstone Trout Lakes is a fishing venue near Wentlooge.
- 8
Garry Evans Tackle Centres
· 20 miles NW of BristolGarry Evans is the largest specialist fishing tackle shop in Wales, stocking game, sea, carp, coarse and predator tackle, clothing and accessories at competitive prices in Newport.
carpgraylingpiketrout
- 9
Cefn Mably Lakes
· 24 miles W of BristolCefn Mably Lakes is a fishing venue near Rudry.
- 10
Redhill Fishery
· 25 miles N of BristolRedhill Fishery is a fishing venue near Monmouth, holding carp, pike.
carppike
- 11
Trinity Waters Fishery
· 28 miles SW of BristolFamily-run fishery in Chilton Trinity, Somerset catering for anglers of all abilities. Split into two sites, with Woodland Lake offering 31 swims ideal for match anglers. Holds carp, pike and tench.
carppiketench
- 12
Ivy House Lakes
· 28 miles E of BristolIvy House Lakes at Grittenham near Brinkworth, Wiltshire, is a customer fishery with match and specimen waters stocked with bream, carp, perch, roach and tench, plus cafe, tackle shop and night fishing.
breamcarpperchroachtench
Want more options? Browse the full regional pond directory →
Access & Licensing
Free vs Day-Ticket Fishing Near Bristol
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 Bristol.
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 Bristol.
Club Waters
Annual club memberships (£30–£150/year) unlock multiple lakes and river beats around Bristol. Best value if you fish weekly. Most clubs have waiting lists for prime carp waters.
Licence requirement in Bristol
Anyone aged 13+ fishing freshwater in Bristol 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 Bristol
Each season opens different doors. Here's what to target through the year.
Spring
March – May
Spring is when waters near Bristol 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 Bristol, 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 Bristol 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 Bristol 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.
Bristol Fishing FAQ
There are over 61 named fishing venues within 50 miles of Bristol, ranging from commercial day-ticket carp lakes to free stretches of river and canal. The top spots within easy reach include Century Ponds, Jacklands Fishing Lakes, Blagdon Fishing Lodge. 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 Bristol 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 Bristol can be fished for free with just a rod licence.
Yes. Bristol 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 50 miles of Bristol are Carp, Pike, Tench, Perch, Trout, Roach. 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, Century Ponds is the closest fishing venue to Bristol at around 4 miles SE. Keynsham Angling Association water in Bath and North East Somerset offering coarse and game fishing across Century Ponds and the Rivers Chew and Bristol Avon. Browse the listing below to compare top venues by distance.
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