Quick facts
Postcode
Facilities
Pricing
About Chester Lakes
Chester Lakes is a day ticket complex at Dodleston just south of Chester, mixing pleasure and specimen fishing across five open waters. The pleasure lakes Eccleston, Aldford and Pulford are around an acre each with carp to 25lb plus roach, rudd, perch, bream and tench, while Dodleston Lake holds around 300 carp with mirrors to 34lb and Swan Lake fishes to 28lb. Listed prices are £15 for a day and £20 for 24 hours, booked online or by phone. A bait shop, cafe, bar and camping sit on site.
Snippet auto-extracted from public sources; verify with the venue before travelling.
The lakes
Three pleasure waters carry the day trade: Eccleston with eighteen pegs, Aldford with twenty two and Pulford, each around an acre. The specimen fishing happens on Dodleston Lake, a kidney shaped water of one and a half to two acres holding roughly 300 carp, and the horseshoe shaped Swan Lake with six pegs including two doubles. Gorstella Lake is currently closed.
Tickets and booking
Listed prices are £15 for a dawn to dusk day and £20 for a 24 hour session, with booking online through the site or on 01244 661745. Weekday walk-ons are usually fine but weekends are better booked ahead, and the day runs roughly 8am to 7.30pm. Confirm current prices when you book.
What to fish for
The pleasure lakes fish generously, with carp to 25lb over strong silvers, ideal for a quick session or a first trip. Dodleston Lake is the target water, its mirrors running to 34lb according to the fishery's lakes page with an average stamp of 12 to 16lb, and it is strictly for anglers 18 and over. Swan Lake gives a second specimen option with carp to 28lb.
Rules worth knowing
Barbless hooks to a maximum size 6 apply on all lakes, landing nets and unhooking mats are mandatory, and the specimen lakes require proper cradles and carp friendly micromesh nets. Keepnets only come out in organised matches. Bivvies are allowed on the pleasure lakes, and Dodleston Lake allows campervans on specific pegs by arrangement.
Nearby venues
Other fishing spots within 25km
Chester Lakes: frequently asked questions
Yes — Chester Lakes is a fishing venue in Dodleston, Cheshire (postcode CH4 9LQ). Check the fishery website for current rules and bookings.
Yes — Chester Lakes offers day tickets. Indicative prices: £15 day ticket, £20 24hr (confirm when booking). Always confirm current ticket prices and availability with the venue before travelling.
Chester Lakes is stocked with Common carp, Roach, Rudd, Perch, Common bream, Tench. 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 Chester 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 Chester Lakes
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