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Fishing near me | Closed season gems
Looking for where to fish out of season? From canals to country park lakes and reservoirs, these quieter venues will keep bites coming while the rivers are closed.
by Tony Grigorjevs |
Published on27th March 2026 at 10.04am
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When the rivers close, the question is always the same. Where to fish out of season without ending up shoulder to shoulder on a busy commercial. For plenty of anglers, that is not what they are looking for, especially when a bit of space and a quieter setting matter just as much as the fishing itself.
The good news is you are not short of options. From canals and country park lakes to reservoirs and more picturesque stillwaters, there are plenty of venues that will keep bites coming and the rod bending while the rivers are out of bounds to coarse fishing.
Rother Valley Country Park, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
The Northern Lake is a fantastic tench water, and there’s every chance of half-a-dozen or more fish in the 3lb-6lb bracket during a session. Long pole tactics work well, and fishing over a bed of groundbait laced with chopped worms, dead maggots and casters will help you get a response.
Contact: www.rvcp.co.uk
FISH AT DISTANCE ON LARGE LAKES IS EASIER WITH THE BEST DISTANCE FEEDER RODS.
Billingford Lakes, Dereham, Norfolk
In a series of gravel pits that are spread across a truly stunning site, there is something for everyone at Billingford. Follow in the steps of a great, and target the carp in the John Wilson Lake down the margins, or head to Basil Todd with traditional feeder tactics or the long pole for bream and tench.
Contact: www.billingfordlakes.co.uk
Thorney Lakes, Langport, Somerset
This venue has all the hallmarks of an old-school estate lake, with lily pads and reedbeds dotted around it. The stocking is angled towards the traditionalist, and while carp are present, it’s bream, tench and crucians that will dominate the action. Soft pellets, corn and worms are all reliable hookbaits.
Contact: 01458 250811 Web: www.thorneylakes.co.uk
Alders Farm, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Pines Lake is nestled away at the back of the complex, and the surroundings allow you to forget all about the daily stresses of life. A thick canopy of trees surround it, with only the resident wildlife disturbing the silence. A Method feeder will account for plenty of carp to 8lb, while long pole and soft pellet is a solid bet for the bream and skimmers.
Contact: www.aldersfarm.com
THE BEST FISHING POLES MAKE FISHING MORE ENJOYABLE.
The Rosie, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire
A crucian carp fishing haven, this picturesque gem is home to a very healthy head of fish to 3lb. Fishing either in open water or close to the marginal features with a light pole or waggler set-up will help you find the shoals. Feed small quantities of micro pellets or nuggets of groundbait to spark a response.
Contact: www.connahsquayanglingclub.com
Lockwood Beck, Middlesbrough, North Yorks
Covering over 60 acres, this under-rated gem is a fantastic coarse fishery for those in search of a big net of silverfish. Present a cage feeder 30m-40m out for the resident skimmers, switching to long pole and maggot with plenty of loosefeed via a catapult for chunky roach and perch.
Contact: www.watersideparksuk.com
Grand Western Canal, Tiverton, Devon
The stretch that runs close to the village of Sampford Peverell is renowned for its spring tench sport, and there is every chance that you could fool a few lumps to 6lb. Worms and casters presented close to far-bank cover are a brilliant combination for your target species, while bonus rudd to 2lb are always a possibility using this approach.
Contact: www.tivertoncanal.co.uk
SIT COMFORTABLY ON THE BEST FISHING SEATBOXES.
Vicar Water, Mansfield, Nottinghamshsire
Whether you want a bag of silvers on the long pole and maggot, or fancy trying to catch a handful of big carp on the bomb or Method, this venue, created on the site of a former colliery, is for you. The gate to the lake can only be accessed by anglers who are given the code for the lock, and this reduces disturbance on the bank from other users in this area of the country park.
Contact: vicarwaterangling@gmail.com
Clumber Park, Worksop, Notts
This certainly isn’t the easiest venue in the land to master, but huge bream and tench to double figures could be your reward if you can find them. Put down a big bed of groundbait, pellets and corn at a reasonable distance from the bank when you first arrive, before dropping a feeder on top to try and tempt a bite or two.
Contact: www.clumberparkangling.co.uk
Woodland Waters, Ancaster, Lincolnshire
Huge shoals of bream live in the Specimen Lake, and 50lb-plus catches are on the cards when they are hungry. Pick a swim with lots of open water to explore, and introduce a couple of large bait-up feederfuls. Drop a Hybrid feeder loaded with micros on top and fish in the 3lb-6lb bracket will soon find the trap.
Contact: www.woodlandwaters.co.uk
HIT THE DISTANCE WITH THE BEST FEEDER FISHING REELS.
Dents Farm, Downham Market, Norfolk
Farm Shop Lake has the feel of an estate lake, and there are various approaches that you can work with. Long pole with worm and caster will account for a mixed net of true crucians, bream and tench, while the whip and pinkie will catch a small rudd every drop in. Those in search of a big carp should target either the central reedbed or marginal features, with brightly coloured boilies and pellets.
Contact: www.dentsfarmhilgay.co.uk
Greenwood Fisheries, Warrington, Cheshire
Depths vary greatly on Kingfisher Lake, and fishing a feeder towards the central gravel bar where you will find 4ft-6ft of water will produce carp and bream. Plumb up on the long pole and you’re likely to find 8ft-10ft. Maggots, casters and worms over groundbait will account for roach and skimmers.
Contact: www.greenwood-fisheries.co.uk
Mousecroft Pool, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
You wouldn’t expect this small lake to hold anything large, but it is home to shoals of bream in the 3lb-6lb bracket. Big carp to well over 15lb are also on the cards, and you can extract these lumps by fishing a Hybrid feeder with strong terminal tackle close to the snags.
Contact: www.shrewsburytownfisheries.co.uk
Docklow Pools, Leominster, Herefordshire
Located in a secluded valley that is shrouded by greenery, this popular fishery is a million miles away from your traditional commercial. Figure of Eight, Mickey Mouse and Moby Dick are all open for day ticket action, and you can expect to put together a mixed net of silvers, F1s and carp with pole or waggler and maggots.
Contact: www.docklowpools.com
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