A Fishing Holiday in York I Hear You Cry?

York is a great place for fishing enthusiasts, with a multitude of venues around the area offering quiet and attractive locations for both the single angler or for family fishing weekend trips. Whatever kind of accommodation you prefer on your fishing trip, whether it’s camping at the lakeside or staying in luxury hotels York has something for everyone.

Hoxne Farm

Sheriff Hutton Road, Strensall, York, North Yorkshire Offering holiday accommodation as well as good fishing, the lake at Hoxne Farm, Strenshall, is well stocked with roach, perch, carp and tench. It’s open all year and day tickets cost from £7. The fish in the lake range in size from 1.5lb roach to 20lb carp. Use waggler or feeder tactics in this lake to maximise catch rate. The lake also has easy access for disabled anglers.

Oaktree Leisure Angling

Tollerton Rd, Huby, York, North Yorkshire Match fishing and pleasure angling both take place in these four canal-style lakes, each roughly 12.5 metres wide. The fish include carp up to 20lb, orfe, chub and rudd and the lakes are available for club bookings. Open all year, day tickets costing £5 are available for pleasure anglers with the water also offering good access for disabled anglers. Rules include no keep nets or unsupervised children under 12 and only barbless hooks are allowed. No dogs are permitted and there is no night fishing.

Pool Bridge Farm Lakes

Pool Bridge Farm, Crockey Hill, York, North Yorkshire You can catch mirror carp up to 30lb, 8lb plus chub or tench, perch and dace in these five established and quiet lakes. Man-made, the lakes range in depth between 2 and 12 feet, offering good fishing to pleasure anglers or match fishing enthusiasts alike. As with many fisheries, all fish must be returned to the water and keep nets used only during matches. Day tickets for this fishery are available at a cost of £7 for one rod and can be bought from the cafe or ticket kiosk. Concessions are available for children and OAPs. The lakes are open all year round between 7:30 am and either dusk or 9pm, whichever is earliest.

Elvington Lake

Wheldrake Lane, Elvington, near York, North Yorkshire.

Converted from a small brickworks and now established for over 35 years, the fishing lake at Elvington covers roughly 2.5 acres and is surrounded by trees that provide shady areas where anglers can fish the margins. Some of the pegs are accessible by wheelchair, although prior booking for these sites is recommended. Fish stocked in the lake include catfish up to 52lb and tench up to 10lb, as well as bream and carp. Day-fishing prices are £6 for one rod or £7 for two rods. Use only barbless hooks. No groudbait or keep nets for carp allowed.

Rod Licences

Everyone over the age of 12 needs a fishing permit to fish in UK waters. Licences are available through the post office, online or directly by phone. In 2011, prices ranged from £3.75 for a day licence to £27 for full-season licence. All licences expire at the end of March, regardless of the time of year they were bought and must be renewed for the following season.