Our Guide To Carp Fishing In South Yorkshire
Few outdoor activities can be better matched than pairing up camping with carp fishing. And few counties are better matched with a traditional carp fishing experience than South Yorkshire. Its pleasant countryside – scattered as it is with lakes, ponds and fisheries – holds an abundance of opportunities for anglers of all sorts. So now you’re wondering ‘where can I fish in South Yorkshire?’ Well, pack your tent, rig your rod and grab a peg with our guide to the four best South Yorkshire fishing spots.
Don’t forget there’s so much more to see and do in South Yorkshire, from the wild Dark Peak hikes to pottering around the fascinating industrial museums of Sheffield. If you're looking for somewhere to stay, don't forget Pitchup has lots of options for South Yorkshire accommodation, from nearly-wild campsites to family-friendly pitches with lots of sporting activities nearby. You’ll discover sites suitable for solo travellers, families and group – and of course, several properties with fishing lakes either on site or close by.
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Aston Park Fisheries
For a day out at a coarse fishery on a massive scale, try Aston Park Fisheries. This popular location has more than 220 pegs to choose from, dotted around the seven lakes that spread across 25 gentle parkland acres just outside Sheffield.
All lakes host a variety of species from carp to roach, rudd and perch, with Lanta and Stable lakes dedicated to match and pleasure fishing, Bills and Butts reserved for pole and match fishing and Lilly open 24/7 for night fishing and matches. Also the preserve of matches, Split Lake is known for producing carp up to an enormous 100lbs.
For the uninitiated, Aston Park Fisheries is also an ideal place to get started. The angling centre has all the bits you need to kit out your new pursuit. And to ensure you’re off on the right peg, take a spot at Eliysia’s Lake, specifically designated for coaching and pleasure angling. Food and drink needs are easily met at the Water Edge Café – and you can also peruse the offerings at the fully stocked ‘bait bar’.
Bank End Fisheries
Another of South Yorkshire’s finest day-ticket coarse fishing lakes, Bank End Fisheries has ample options for pleasure fishing and specimen fishing alike.
This fishery near Doncaster is made up of three lakes that host a comprehensive mix of species, with the third lake reserved for match carp fishing only.
East End Lake measures approximately five acres and contains carp of up to 30lbs, along with bream, roach, rudd, perch and tench, whereas the smaller West End Lake teems with smaller F1 and mirror carp (3-4lbs average) – which can make for a satisfyingly consistent day of sport.
As the name suggests, Match Lake is for match fishing. Here, waters as deep as 14ft are heavily stocked with F1s and offer the best chances at larger prizes of 15lbs upwards. Pole and pellet tactics can be quite productive on Match Lake.
Should you run short on bait, you can replenish supplies in the tackle shop; there’s also a café for anyone in need of refreshment and a farm shop for stocking up on locally reared meats and free-range eggs.
Barnburgh Lakes
Due west of Doncaster, on the edge of the Dearne Valley, is Barnburgh Lakes, a family-run estate with a pretty trio of ponds for a pleasant day of fishing in Yorkshire.
Choose from 80 pegs where you can rig up for F1, mirror carp and common carp, supplemented by healthy stocks of roach, tench, bream, ide and barbel. For the more seasoned and determined angler, Lake 3 houses specimen carp only; meanwhile, for competitive sorts, open matches are held on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Go to the bait bar when you’re low on worms and boilies – and for any hunger and thirst developing after a day’s contemplation at the waterside, the Bulrush Bistro has a range of hot and cold food and drink.
Ravenfield Ponds
Ravenfield Ponds is in the Rotherham area, near the historic village of Old Ravenfield, and known as one of the area’s best coarse fisheries. Set in a secluded valley among thriving wildlife, these six scenic fishing lakes make a great spot to while away a peaceful day by a peg.
You’ll have no difficulty in idling the hours away here, angling for crucian, mirror and common carp or for an array of other species such as bream, ide, roach, rudd, perch and gudgeon. Whatever your level of expertise, there is a full range of fishing options to pick from.
For the purist and/or match-minded, there is one lake dedicated solely to specimen fishing. Here, 15-pounder mirrors, crucians and commons are common, with some whoppers reaching in excess of 26lbs.
Should you require a break from the serene idleness or prize fish-lifting, Ravenfield Park (of which the ponds are a part) has a great network of footpaths for an invigorating bit of exploration through its wooded and grassland areas.
Whether or not you catch anything, while you're in the area be sure to catch 11 other top things to do in South Yorkshire. For more inspiration on how to spend your time in the region, refer to Pitchup’s expert guides to the North East of England, with information on the best attractions, beaches and cities ripe for discovery. And if you're planning a break in this area, Pitchup has an excellent range of campsites and glamping sites in South Yorkshire too.