A Guide To Fishing In Cambridgeshire
Most people think of elegant University spires and languorous punts along the River Cam when they think of Cambridge. Anglers, of course, aren’t blind to these idyllic scenes, but a more pressing question in the angling mind is ‘Where are the fish?’

Fishing in Cambridgeshire will not disappoint the fish-hungry angler in search of excellent waters. A good starting point might be the superb Crystal Lakes Leisure Park – 12 acres of sumptuous meadowland situated just 10 minutes by foot away from the delightful little village of Fenstanton. The two lakes are not massive, but they are certainly mature and you’ll get some excellent carp and coarse fishing there.

The largest lake (“Lake A”) is the one to opt for if you want to indulge in a little coarse fishing and carp of between 15lb and 25 lbs are routinely hooked there. In fact, the largest recorded Common carp was drawn from Lake A as well as a veritable colossus of a Mirror, which weighed in at 31lbs.

Or try the waters controlled by the Cambridge Fish Preservation and Angling Society (CFPAS). Established in 1885 as the aptly-named ‘Jolly Anglers’ club with one modest stretch of river at Earith, it now proudly presides over no less than 30 miles of first class river fishing, along with 5 lakes, 4 gravel pits and 1 pond. Stretches of the River Cam controlled by CFPAS include Chesterton to Clayhythe, a relatively shallow part of the magnificent river which is excellent for Roach - but you’ll also find Bream, Pike and Chub.

There’s easy bank access and the scenery alone will dissolve the knots and tensions of urban living in minutes. If you’re introducing your children to a little angling, fishing in Cambridgeshire offers an excellent launch pad for them at CFPAS’s delightful Fenced Acre Pond in the village if Impington, near Cambridge. A small clay pond, Fenced Acre sports six swims teaming with Tench, Bream, Rudd, Chub and Pike.

There’s also a fabulous complex of fisheries on offer by CFPAS made up of twenty gravel pits of varying sizes – Block Fen Pits (also in Impington). Block Fen A is bursting with Carp, Roach and Rudd, but with a little patience you’ll find Tench, Bream and Perch, too.

In Block Fen B, you’ll haul out some impressive specimen Carp and Pike – quite often weighing in at over 20lbs – as well and Tench, Perch and the occasional Bream.

Carp Fishing in Cambridgeshire would not be complete without a visit to the superb Grafham Waters, one of the best locations for fly-fishing in the UK.

Whether you use a boat or fish from the banks, this big stretch of water is alive with trout and if you don’t round the day off with at least 8lbs, you’ve almost certainly been sleeping.

Whilst you are in the area, take a look at the Waterbeach Angling Club near the scenic little village of Waterbeach; controlling waters on the River Cam as well as a still-water complex with a 6½ acre Lake (Leland) generously stocked with Specimen Carp, Rudd, Bream, Tench, Roach, Rudd and Pike, this little club is well worth checking out.

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