Fishing In Wiltshire
Fishing in Wiltshire is, quite simply, an angler’s dream come true. The county is generously served by rivers, ponds and lakes, all of them in some of the most picturesque locations in the UK.

The main river, of course, is the beautiful Avon, which courses through enchanting villages with thatch and flint cottages (and charming pubs). Avon Springs Fishing Lakes in Durrington near Salisbury offers a choice of river fishing and pond fishing.

The two lakes span 3 and 5 acres and are both chalk stream fed, clear as gin and stocked each day with rainbow and brown trout ranging from 2lbs to doubles. Be warned, though: the three acre pond is really for the expert angler, with dry fly and nymph floating line only. River fishing is available along one mile of the Upper Chalk Stream Avon, which is abundantly stocked with brown trout and grayling.

You could, of course, combine fishing in Wiltshire with a short family holiday in the county. Rendell Farm Holiday Cottages in Devizes not only offer two superbly equipped self-catering lodges in the gorgeous Vale of Pewsey location, but two fishing lakes well stocked with pike, roach, rudd and tench, too.

The idyllic little village of All Canning in which the cottages are situated is an area of outstanding natural beauty, where you’ll be surrounded by Iron Age hill forts, ancient burial mounds and those infamous white horses carved into the hillsides.

In Stourhead, trout breed naturally from the springs arising in the woods and the waters are bursting with them. Stourhead (Western) Estate offers some excellent wild brown trout fishing on its range of ponds and lakes; there are no less than ten ponds on the tributaries and headwaters of the River Stour, all set in blissfully tranquil countryside. A season ticket will cost you £100 and a week ticket just £30. Fishing in Wiltshire, it turns out, is an excellent cure for urban stress.

Those who enjoy a little canal fishing might chance their rods and lines on the lovely Kennet Avon Canal. Fishing (from the towpath only) is available along its entire length.

The water flows across the county from Little Bedwyn village on the east to Devizes in the west, where it feeds into the Somerset Avon. You’ll find good quantities of bream, gudgeon, perch, pike, roach, rudd, skimmers and even a few carp along the way. Fishing rights are owned chiefly by Fishing Clubs and Angling Associations, from who you can purchase daily, fortnightly or annual tickets.

In the village of Dilton Marsh, close to Westbury, there are two lakes at Cuckoo’s Rest offering a variety of coarse fishing and for those wanting to make it more of a break, touring accommodation is available here.

There are countless other ponds and lakes available to anyone who goes fishing in Wiltshire. Time to stop dreaming and start fishing!

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