Grab your rod and head to the New Forest, because there are plenty of great fishing spots to discover here. No matter if you’re into sea, river or lake fishing, there’s something to suit every kind of angler, making your fishing holiday in the New Forest one to remember.
Yes, the New Forest has plenty of fantastic areas for fishing. Depending on the location, you will need to check that you have the right permits and licenses. For most sites, you will need a permit and a rod licence, which can be bought as day, week or season tickets from various angling centres and the Forestry Commission. Rod licenses can also be obtained through the post office.
Alongside the Forestry Commission-managed fishing locations, there are several privately owned fisheries as well as coastline and sea fishing. Please make sure you’re familiar with the local codes of conduct around fishing to help maintain the environment for the enjoyment of all.
With a stunning selection of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and private fisheries, you’re really spoilt for choice when it comes to freshwater fishing in the New Forest.
Fish you can expect to catch at these spots include carp, roach, pike, brown trout, bream, perch, eels and more.
Hatchet Pond is the New Forest’s largest body of fresh water, and it offers some fantastic coarse fishing opportunities. It contains a variety of fish such as roach, bream, tench, pike, perch and rudd.
You can purchase a fishing permit from Forestry England to fish here, as well as an Environment Agency Rod Licence. Day tickets for two rods cost around £20.
Located within 56 acres of farmland, Orchard Lakes is stocked with 12 species and offers some exciting fishing opportunities. Complete with six lakes, the site provides a range of experiences from match fishing to species hunting, allowing for some impressive catches. There is also an on-site tackle shop and cafe, ensuring you can enjoy the ultimate day out by the water.
Situated between Exbury and Calshot, Cadland Estate is home to four lakes, providing fishing over 15 acres of water. Cadland Fishery is most renowned for its carp, with a few specimens exceeding 30lbs. Perch, roach, bream and crucian carp can also be found.
Mopley Lake provides coarse fishing for members and day ticket holders, offering an interesting day of fishing with three islands and several quiet areas to enjoy the glorious natural surroundings. The other lakes are available only to members.
Here, you’ll find six great lakes surrounded by natural beauty and shrouded in seclusion. Each lake offers an individual experience and is very well stocked with rainbow, brown, blue and lilac trout to give you the best sport. There is also an opportunity for chalk stream fishing along one mile of the Sweatfords Water river.
The lakeside lodge provides refreshments throughout the day, and you can even trade in your fresh-caught trout for a packet of cold smoked trout for £2.
Moors Valley hosts a range of fantastic outdoor activities for families, including some great fishing. Head to the west bank of Moors Lake for a chance to catch roach, rudd, tench, perch and dace.
Fishing is available from 16th June to 14th March. If you’re visiting with younger anglers, the park offers tuition for kids in the summer.
For specialist carp and coarse sport, head to Hordle Lakes, comprising six lakes with a stellar reputation. Carp up to 31lbs have been caught in Kingfisher Lake, and a range of other high-grade fish can be found within the coarse fishery, including bream, roach, crucian carp and perch.
The 4-acre lake here, surrounded by woodland, is stocked with rainbow trout and wild brown trout. This site is quiet and intimate, providing peaceful fishing days where you can totally retreat into nature.
The fishery is overseen by the Salisbury and District Angling Club, and anyone wishing to fish here must be a member.
This fishery offers a chance to enjoy what many consider to be the best still water and chalk stream fishing in Southern England. It is home to the legendary Damerham Blue trout, which you’ll get a chance to catch in the Allen River chalk stream and three lakes.
It’s a great spot for seasoned pros and novices, offering a lovely day surrounded by unspoilt nature. Day tickets are available alongside admission for season rod holders.
A renowned site for coarse fishing in the South, the four lakes here are fed by the chalk stream rivers of the River Test. With carp coming in at 20-40lbs, it’s a dream for specimen anglers. Along with carp, the lakes and rivers are well stocked with pike, tench, bream, roach and eels. Season rods and day tickets are available.
With a 40-mile coastline, the New Forest also offers some fantastic coastal and sea fishing opportunities if you’d rather enjoy the lapping waves and salt-scented air! Common catches include mackerel and sea bass.
The historic coastal town of Lymington is great for fishing, whether you want to head out on a boat or stay on dry land. You can set up for a fishing session from the sea wall for a chance to catch bass and crab in summer or flounder in winter.
The shingle and sand beach here provides some decent opportunities for beachcasting, although you need to be mindful of strong tides. A wide variety of fish have been caught here, including bass, sole, bream, turbot and cod, depending on the time of year.
For more popular sea fishing spots, head down the coast to Hurst Spit. Anglers tend to fish from two spots: either the end of the spit, which is known for bass or the beach bank near the car park, where you can catch smooth hounds, rays, dogfish, sole and the occasional mackerel.
Lepe is a nice spot for shore fishing, too. There are a few key places along the beach that are particularly popular and fruitful, including to the left of the D-Day structures and the area near the lighthouse. Here you may catch bass, plaice, and flounder.
Nearby parking and other amenities at Lepe Country Park, including a cafe, ensure you’re in for an enjoyable day even if the fish aren’t biting.
Calshot Spit is quite busy due to the activity centre and various sports happening in the surrounding waters; however, fishing here is possible. Angling is permitted along the shore behind the activity centre (not on the creek side or the jetty).
Fishing left of the jetty is also permitted from 9pm to 11pm, if you fancy a bit of night fishing. Flounder, bass, mackerel, smoothhound, whiting, black bream, and more have been caught here, depending on the time of day and season.
If you’re keen to get out on the water rather than stay on the shore, there are several fantastic fishing charter and tour operators that you can enlist for a thrilling day on the Solent or out towards the Isle of Wight.
If you’re still seeking the perfect base for your fishing holiday, discover our diverse holiday cottages in the New Forest. Our handpicked selection of luxury self-catered cottages offers something for everyone, whether you’re after a secluded countryside hideaway or seaside haven. We have cottages located all over the New Forest, so you’re never too far from the action.
Want to find out more about what else you can get up to in this stunning corner of the world? Check out our guide on where to go sailing and yachting in the New Forest.
