Grab your rod and prepare your bait, because this is where you can go fishing in Leeds.
Fishing is one of this country’s greatest pastimes and there are loads of great places you can cast your line in Leeds. These are all freshwater fishing spots, which means you’ll need a rod licence – it’s illegal to fish without one, so get that sorted first. Once that’s done, you’re free to descend upon flowing rivers, idyllic lakes and scenic ponds to reel ‘em in.
Credit: Tim Green licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.
Swillington Park. This is one of the best places to go fishing in Leeds. There are five well-stocked lakes to choose from. Beginners should start with the easy-going coarse fishing lake, but if you’re more experienced, the specimen lake is a must for big carp fishing and you can even book overnight passes. Prices start from £8.
Sandwath Lake. This 2.5-acre lake in Church Fenton is owned by the Leeds and District Amalgamated Society of Anglers, so you know it’s a belter. Full of hefty bream, tench, carp, perch and pike, you can easily lose a few hours casting your line in the water. It’s only open to members and adults can join for £68 a year.
River Aire. There are three main spots to go fishing along the River Aire in Leeds – Stockbridge, Thwaite Mills and South Accommodation Road. These LDASA waters are perfect for coarse and trout fishers, with plenty of surprises to be found too if you get lucky. It’s only open to members and you can join for £68 a year.
Credit: Tim Green licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.
Kippax Park Fishery. Perfect for both coarse and fly fishing in Leeds, Kippax Park Fishery has three heaving ponds to choose from. The waters are teeming with carp, trout and roach, which makes it great for beginners, but you can also catch a few surprises in your nets should the line fall right. It’s £6 for the day, annual passes are available too.
Knotford Lagoon. This LDASA lake is a favourite with carp anglers, but that’s not all you’ll find here. The lake has 50 pegs and it’s full of bream, tench, roach, perch and pike. Beginners are welcome, but it’s also popular with more experienced fishers. It’s only open to LDASA members and you can join for £68 a year.
Yeadon Tarn. It’s popular with walkers and water sport enthusiasts, so the early bird catches the carp at Yeadon Tarn. There’s easy access to all pegs and it’s great for beginners as you can hook carp weighing up to 30lbs or perch up to 2lbs. It’s run by the Specialised Pleasure Angling Club and day tickets cost £10 with annual membership for £171.
Credit: Leeds Museums & Galleries
Chippies Quarry. If you’re looking for free fishing in Leeds, this deep disused brick pit in Scholes is perfect. The largest fish you’ll catch is carp which can weigh up to 22lbs, but it’s also well-stocked with jack pike, tench, roach and perch, maybe even chubb if you’re lucky. It’s free to fish, but you will need an up-to-date licence.
Clayton Wood Ponds. You have two ponds to choose from at this site, but the bigger pond at the top is best for fishing all year round. You can catch decent sized carp up to 20lbs, as well as the classic dark tench which can reach 8lbs in weight. It’s free to fish, but you will need an up-to-date licence and to pick up tickets from Headingley Angling Centre.
None Go Bye Farm Fishery. These large, well-stocked ponds are perfect for fishing in Leeds. There’s plenty of bream and skimmers at None Go Bye, but it’s especially good for carp fishing with catches weighing between 4lbs and a fairly hefty 13lbs. It’s £6 for a day pass or £4 for an evening pass.
Credit: Neil Cronshaw licensed under Creative Commons for commercial use.
Birkwood Fisheries. If you’re looking for the best carp fishing near Leeds, these Normanton lakes are a must. The Main Lake and Frog Lake have recorded carp catches around 28lbs, but the other four are worth checking out for their rich supply of rudd, bream and chubb. It’s £9 for the full day for two rods or £5 for just canal fishing.
Bradford No 1 Angling Knotford Lagoon. Near Otley, this large lake has over 50 flat and comfortable pegs with car access. It’s stocked full of specimen fish and it’s perfect for carp fishing, some reaching over 30lbs, but you can also catch bream, tench, roach, perch and pike. It’s free to use, but you have to be a member of the Bradford No.1 Angling Association which costs £60 a year.
River Wharfe. When it comes to fishing in Leeds, the River Wharfe is a great choice. Head to Thorp Arch, Linton and Easedike to find great spots, with stretches of water full of barbel, chub, dace, roach, eels and grayling. It can cost between £11 and £35 for day tickets depending on where you are and you will need an up-to-date licence.
Cover image credit: Sticker Mule.
