Being so close to the Yorkshire Dales, fans of nature tend to leave Harrogate to explore the surrounding area. Fortunately, there are fishing spots closer to home that you may not have known about.
Angling in Harrogate
Before we get started, you should know that you’ll need a rod fishing licence for salmon, trout and other popular catches. You’ll also need permits to fish at most fisheries in the area, but fortunately, these destinations are accommodating to game fishers.
From Harrogate, you can prepare for your fishing trip by researching local fish species or watching fishing videos. There is plenty of online content available to immerse yourself in the world of angling, ranging from tutorials to fishing-themed games on British websites. These games allow residents to engage with their interests by watching fishing-related entertainment or playing slingo games like Slingone Fishin’ or Fishin’ Frenzy Prize Lines, where the gameplay revolves around catching digital fish rather than real ones. Such games highlight the popularity of angling as a sport, appealing to those who enjoy these themed slots when they aren’t out at local fishing spots.
Nearby Fishing Spots
That brings us to three close fishing spots – Plumpton Rocks, Sunrise Lakes and the Fewston Reservoir
Plumpton Rocks
To the south of Harrogate and Knaresborough, Plumpton Rocks is one of the town’s closest fishing haunts. It’s home to a man-made lake that was first formed in the 1700s around towering millstone grit rocks. Since then, it has become a Grade II registered park and garden.
Plumpton Rocks is open on weekends throughout the summer, when a ticket will give you access to the whole site. As for the fish on offer, the waters of the Plumpton Rocks Lake hide carp that have grown as heavy as 30 pounds – about 10 pounds heavier than average for the UK.
Sunrise Lakes
Further south, Sunrise Lakes is a smaller, idyllic fishery that has been open since 2005. Two local farmers keep the fish stocks thriving across three lakes, with the southernmost being the oldest and most consistent throughout the year.
Approximately 15,000 fish can be found in each lake, including tench, bream, barbel and carp that cap out around 18 pounds. Visitors just need to buy a day ticket and follow the rules, which include using barbless hooks and adhering to the British byelaws that apply here.
Fewston Reservoir
While these other lakes have you covered for carp, trout anglers might prefer the 150+ acre Fewston Reservoir, part of the Washburn Valley Fishery. Yorkshire Water doesn’t just use the reservoir to keep the county supplied, they also keep Fewston’s trout population healthy.
It’s the best option for fly fishers, who can get their hands on rainbow and brown trout. Apparently, the best catches are found at Fewston’s northern edge, where the River Washburn flows in. These challenging, peat-stained waters are accessible with a day ticket.
Those are just three local fishing spots that are a stone’s throw away from Harrogate and Knaresborough. They each have their own unique qualities that should appeal to certain anglers, no matter how you like to fish.
