Best Fishing in Cambridge (2026): Top Spots, Lakes & Rivers Within 25 Miles
97 named fishing venues sit within 25 miles of Cambridge — 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 Cambridge
Sorted by distance from Cambridge city centre. Click any venue for full details: species, facilities, postcode and how to book.
- 1
Rushes Fish Pass
· Less than 1 mile of CambridgeRushes Fish Pass is a fishing venue near Cambridge, unparished area.
- 2
Snob's Brook
· Less than 1 mile of CambridgeSnob's Brook is a fishing venue near Cambridge, unparished area.
- 3
Bolton’s Pit
· 1 miles SW of CambridgeBolton’s Pit is a lake in the East of England. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 4
Barnwell Lake
· 1 miles E of CambridgeSet in the East of England, Barnwell Lake is a lake. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. See it on the map and log your session in GilledIt.
- 5
Dernford Reservoir
· 5 miles S of CambridgeDernford Reservoir is a named reservoir in the East of England, listed in the GilledIt directory. 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.
- 6
Dernmere
· 5 miles S of CambridgeDernmere is a named lake in the East of England, listed in the GilledIt directory. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. See it on the map and log your session in GilledIt.
- 7
Halcyon Mere
· 5 miles N of CambridgeSet in the East of England, Halcyon Mere is a lake (mere). Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. See it on the map and log your session in GilledIt.
- 8
Unity Lake
· 6 miles N of CambridgeUnity Lake is a named lake in the East of England, listed in the GilledIt directory. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 9
Bug Hunter Waters
· 6 miles N of CambridgeBug Hunter Waters is a lake in the East of England. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Open GilledIt to log catches and check conditions here.
- 10
Church Pond
· 6 miles W of CambridgeChurch Pond is a named lake in the East of England, listed in the GilledIt directory. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. See it on the map and log your session in GilledIt.
- 11
Sportsmans Pit
· 7 miles NE of CambridgeSet in the East of England, Sportsmans Pit is a lake. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. See it on the map and log your session in GilledIt.
- 12
Old Clay Pit
· 8 miles NW of CambridgeOld Clay Pit is a lake in the East of England. Confirm access, permits and any club rules before fishing. Track catches and weather for this water in the GilledIt app.
Want more options? Browse the full regional pond directory →
What's Biting
What You Can Catch Near Cambridge
Species recorded across the 12 venues above. Click through to species guides for tactics, rigs and bait.
Access & Licensing
Free vs Day-Ticket Fishing Near Cambridge
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 Cambridge.
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 Cambridge.
Club Waters
Annual club memberships (£30–£150/year) unlock multiple lakes and river beats around Cambridge. Best value if you fish weekly. Most clubs have waiting lists for prime carp waters.
Licence requirement in Cambridge
Anyone aged 13+ fishing freshwater in Cambridge 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 Cambridge
Each season opens different doors. Here's what to target through the year.
Spring
March – May
Spring is when waters near Cambridge 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 Cambridge, 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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge 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.
Cambridge Fishing FAQ
There are over 97 named fishing venues within 25 miles of Cambridge, ranging from commercial day-ticket carp lakes to free stretches of river and canal. The top spots within easy reach include Rushes Fish Pass, Snob's Brook, Bolton’s Pit. 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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge can be fished for free with just a rod licence.
Yes. Cambridge 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 Cambridge are . 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, Rushes Fish Pass is the closest fishing venue to Cambridge at around 1 miles S. Rushes Fish Pass is a fishing venue near Cambridge, unparished area. Browse the listing below to compare top venues by distance.
Start Your Cambridge Fishing Diary
Log every catch from the lakes above, track conditions, and connect with anglers fishing the same waters. Free on iOS and Android.