About Waveney Valley Lakes
Waveney Valley Lakes is a renowned carp and catfish complex at Wortwell near Harleston on the Norfolk and Suffolk border, with eleven lakes in total. Seven are reserved for holiday home owners and four fish on day tickets: Heartsmere, Kingfisher Pool, Marsh Lake and Yew Tree. Carp run to 39lb on Cherry Tree and 38lb on Heartsmere, while the catfish are the headline act, reaching 70lb in Marsh Lake and 65lb in Yew Tree. Swims are pre-booked, so contact the fishery for current prices and availability.
Snippet auto-extracted from public sources; verify with the venue before travelling.
The lakes
Eleven waters sit along the Waveney valley. Seven, including Ash Tree, Blackthorn, Cherry Tree, Dragonfly, Elm Tree, Foxglove and Guelder, are fished by holiday home owners, while day anglers head for Heartsmere, a two acre water with five swims, the intimate two swim Kingfisher Pool, six swim Marsh Lake and Yew Tree. Most lakes sit between two and three acres, so it fishes far more intimately than the venue's reputation suggests.
Day tickets and booking
The four day ticket lakes are pre-booked rather than walk-on, with swims reserved at least 24 hours ahead by card. Kingfisher Pool fishes daytime hours from 8am to 8pm. The fishery does not publish prices online, so ring 01986 788676 to book and confirm current rates before travelling.
The stock
Carp dominate most waters, topping 39lb on Cherry Tree and 38lb on Heartsmere with plenty of thirties elsewhere, backed by tench, bream, crucians and roach. The catfish give Waveney its name among specimen hunters: Marsh Lake cats reach 70lb and Yew Tree holds fish past 65lb, which puts this venue among the better known catfish waters in East Anglia.
Holiday homes
The park sells and sites caravans and lodges around the owner lakes, so a large share of the complex is effectively a residential fishing village. If you want regular access to the owner-only waters, that is the route in; day anglers stick to the four bookable lakes.
Nearby venues
Other fishing spots within 25km
Waveney Valley Lakes: frequently asked questions
Yes — Waveney Valley Lakes is a fishing venue in Wortwell, Norfolk (postcode IP20 0EJ). Check the fishery website for current rules and bookings.
Yes — Waveney Valley Lakes offers day tickets. Always confirm current ticket prices and availability with the venue before travelling.
Waveney Valley Lakes is stocked with Common carp, Wels catfish, Tench, Common bream, Crucian carp, Roach. Stocks vary by lake and season — check with the fishery for the latest catch reports.
Yes — anyone aged 13 or over fishing for freshwater fish in England or Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence, even on private waters like Waveney Valley Lakes. A 12-month 2-rod licence is £36.80 in 2026, and juniors aged 13–16 fish free but must register. Read our full guide at /blog/fishing-licence-uk-guide.
See what's biting at Waveney Valley Lakes
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