Best Times & Seasons to Fish in England (Complete Guide)

England offers some of the best fishing in Europe. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times for freshwater fishing in England are April to October, specifically early morning or late evening. For saltwater fishing, summer is optimal, with exceptions like cod being best in colder months.

Month	England Fishing Location
January	Cod fishing in the North Sea off Whitby.
February	Pike fishing at the River Thames, stretching across several counties.
March	Trout fishing at Draycote Water, Warwickshire.
April	Fly fishing for Trout and Grayling at the River Test, Hampshire.
May	Mackerel and Pollock fishing off the Devon coast.
June	Sea Bass fishing at the North Norfolk coast.
July	Shark fishing in Falmouth Bay, Cornwall.
August	Mackerel fishing in the English Channel off Brighton.
September	Plaice fishing at Chesil Beach, Dorset.
October	Pike and Perch fishing at Chew Valley Lake, Somerset.
November	Cod and Whiting fishing at the Humber Estuary.
December	Flounder fishing at the Thames Estuary.

This article will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in England. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Freshwater Fishing in England

The River Test in Hampshire is ideal for Brown Trout and Grayling from April to October.

Avington Lakes in Hampshire offers year-round fishing for large Rainbows and Brown Trout.

Rutland Water in the East Midlands is stocked with Trout and Pike, best fished in spring and autumn.

Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire, famous for its large Pike and Perch, is best fished in late autumn to winter.

Draycote Water in Warwickshire, known for Trout, is most productive from April through October.

The River Wye in Herefordshire is popular for Barbel and Chub fishing, with the summer months being optimal.

The River Thames, stretching across several counties, is a prime spot for Pike, especially in the colder months.

The Norfolk Broads is famous for its Bream and Pike fishing, particularly during the spring and autumn.

Bewl Water in Kent, well-stocked with Trout, offers excellent fishing from April to September.

Chew Valley Lake in Somerset is renowned for Pike and Perch, best fished in the autumn months.

Blagdon Lake in Somerset is an excellent Trout fishery, productive from spring through to autumn.

The River Trent in the Midlands is a great location for Barbel, with summer being the optimal season.

Pitsford Water in Northamptonshire offers prime Trout fishing, especially during the spring and autumn.

The River Kennet in Berkshire is famed for its Chub and Barbel, best fished in the summer.

Carsington Water in Derbyshire is ideal for Trout fishing, particularly during the spring months.

The River Severn, the longest river in the UK, is perfect for Barbel and Chub, especially in the summer.

Llyn Brenig in North Wales, known for its Brown and Rainbow Trout, is most productive from April to October.

The River Nene in Northamptonshire offers good Pike fishing, best during the winter months.

Farmoor Reservoir in Oxfordshire is a premier location for Trout, particularly from spring to autumn.

The River Itchen in Hampshire offers excellent fly fishing for Trout and Grayling, especially from April to October.

Best Times: Saltwater Fishing in England

The Solent in Hampshire offers year-round fishing, with Bass, Mackerel and Cod being the main targets.

Chesil Beach in Dorset is a prime location for Mackerel, Plaice, and Cod, especially from spring to autumn.

The Bristol Channel offers Cod and Bass, best fished in the colder months.

Bognor Regis in West Sussex is ideal for flatfish like Plaice and Sole, especially during the summer.

The English Channel off of Brighton provides excellent Mackerel fishing from late spring to early autumn.

The North Sea off of Whitby is renowned for Cod, particularly from late autumn to early spring.

The Cornish coast offers good Mackerel, Pollock, and Bass fishing, especially from spring to autumn.

The Mersey Estuary in Liverpool is a hot spot for Cod during winter.

The North Norfolk coast is prime for Sea Bass and Mackerel, particularly during the summer months.

The Humber Estuary is known for its Cod and Whiting, best fished in autumn and winter.

The Tyne Estuary in North East England offers Cod, best fished in the colder months.

Falmouth Bay in Cornwall is a popular location for Shark fishing, particularly from mid-summer to early autumn.

The Northumberland coast is a top spot for Sea Bass during the summer months.

The Severn Estuary is known for its Bass, particularly from late spring to early autumn.

The Devon coast offers Sea Bass, Mackerel, and Pollock, best fished from late spring to early autumn.

The Dorset coast provides excellent Plaice fishing from spring to autumn.

The Suffolk coast is a good spot for Cod during the colder months.

The Thames Estuary is a good location for Flounder, particularly during the winter months.

The Essex coast offers good fishing for Bass, particularly during the summer months.

The Kent coast provides excellent fishing for Skate and Cod, particularly during the autumn and winter months.

Recommended Fishing Guides in England

These England-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
Patricia Rose Charters	Plymouth, United Kingdom
Kestrel Warrior Fishing Trips	Brighton, United Kingdom

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Carp

The best time to fish for carp in England is usually between April and October. These fish are most active early in the morning and late in the evening. Some of the best places to fish for carp include the Norfolk Broads, Wraysbury Lakes in Berkshire, Linear Fisheries in Oxfordshire, and Yateley Complex in Hampshire.

Northern Pike

The best time to fish for pike in England is during the colder months, typically from October to March. Pike are most active during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Some top spots to catch pike include the River Thames, the Norfolk Broads, Chew Valley Lake in Somerset, and Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire.

European Perch

The best time to fish for European perch in England is from late spring to early autumn, usually between April and October. Perch are most active in the morning and late afternoon. Top locations for perch fishing include the River Thames, the Norfolk Broads, Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire, and Rutland Water in the East Midlands.

Roach

In England, the best time to fish for roach is from June to February, but they can be caught all year round. Roach are often most active around dawn and dusk. The best places to catch roach include the River Thames, the Grand Union Canal, the Norfolk Broads, and the River Severn.

Bream

The best time to fish for bream in England is during the warmer months, from May to September. Bream are often most active early in the morning and late in the evening. Great spots for bream fishing include the Norfolk Broads, the River Trent in the Midlands, the Grand Union Canal, and the River Thames.

Tench

The best time to fish for tench in England is usually in the warmer months, from May to September. Tench are usually most active early in the morning or late in the evening. Top places for tench fishing include the Grand Union Canal, the St. Ives Lakes in Cambridgeshire, Wraysbury Lakes in Berkshire, and the Norfolk Broads.

Brown Trout

The best time to fish for Brown Trout in England is usually between April and September. Brown Trout tend to be most active in the early morning and late evening. Some top spots for Brown Trout fishing include the River Test in Hampshire, Draycote Water in Warwickshire, Blagdon Lake in Somerset, and the River Itchen also in Hampshire.

Rainbow Trout

The best time to fish for Rainbow Trout in England is typically from April to October. Rainbow Trout are often most active early in the morning and late in the evening. Some top places to catch Rainbow Trout include Avington Lakes in Hampshire, Rutland Water in the East Midlands, Draycote Water in Warwickshire, and Bewl Water in Kent.

Atlantic Salmon

In England, the best time to fish for Atlantic Salmon is usually from June to November, with early morning and late evening often being the most productive times. Some top places for Salmon fishing include the River Tyne in North East England, the River Wear in County Durham, the River Tees in North Yorkshire, and the River Exe in Devon.

Grayling

In England, the best time to fish for Grayling is during the colder months, usually from September to March. Grayling are most active during the day, especially in the morning and late afternoon. Top locations for Grayling fishing include the River Test in Hampshire, the River Itchen also in Hampshire, the River Wye in Herefordshire, and the River Tees in North Yorkshire.

Sea Bass

The best time to fish for Sea Bass in England is during the warmer months, typically between May and October. Sea Bass are often most active in the early morning and late evening. Some of the best places to catch Sea Bass include the North Norfolk coast, the Solent in Hampshire, the Bristol Channel, and the Devon coast.

Mackerel

The best time to fish for mackerel in England is usually from late spring to early autumn, typically between May and September. Mackerel are most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Some top places to catch mackerel include the English Channel off of Brighton, Chesil Beach in Dorset, the Cornish coast, and the Devon coast.

Pollock

The best time to fish for pollock in England is usually from spring to autumn, typically between April and October. Pollock are often most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Some top places to catch pollock include the Cornish coast, the Devon coast, Falmouth Bay in Cornwall, and the Solent in Hampshire.

Atlantic Cod

The best time to fish for Atlantic cod in England is during the colder months, usually between October and March. Cod are most active during the day, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. The best places to catch cod include the North Sea off Whitby, the Bristol Channel, the Mersey Estuary in Liverpool, and the Suffolk coast.

Flounder

In England, the best time to fish for flounder is generally during winter, from November to February. Flounder are often most active during the day, especially around high tide. Some top locations for flounder fishing include the Thames Estuary, the Essex coast, the Norfolk coast, and the Kent coast.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ireland, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in France, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Denmark, check out this guide. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the United Kingdom.

Best Fishing in England on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

The North Sea off Whitby is a great location to catch Cod during the winter months.
Head to the River Thames for good chances of catching Flounder during the winter season.
Explore the Suffolk coast for Sea Bass fishing, which can be successful in the winter.
Visit the Humber Estuary for Cod and Whiting fishing, which are popular targets in the winter.
Enjoy winter Pike fishing at Chew Valley Lake in Somerset, known for its large Pike population.

Spring

Visit the River Test in Hampshire for exciting Brown Trout and Grayling fishing during the spring season.
Head to Avington Lakes in Hampshire for great catches of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout in the springtime.
Explore Rutland Water in the East Midlands for excellent Pike and Perch fishing during the spring months.
Visit Blagdon Lake in Somerset for Trout fishing, which is particularly fruitful in the spring season.
Enjoy the River Wye in Herefordshire for Barbel and Chub fishing, which are most active during the springtime.

Summer

At the Norfolk Broads, you can catch Carp, Tench, and Bream during the summer months.
Head to the River Thames for exciting Pike and Perch fishing during the summer season.
Explore Draycote Water in Warwickshire for great Trout fishing in the summer.
Visit the Devon coast for Mackerel, Pollock, and Bass fishing during the summer season.
Enjoy Salmon fishing in the River Tyne in North East England, which is best during the summer months.

Fall

In the Norfolk Broads, you can catch Bream, Pike, and Roach during the fall months.
Head to the River Test in Hampshire for great Brown Trout and Grayling fishing in the autumn.
At Rutland Water in the East Midlands, you can target Pike and Perch during the fall season.
Explore the River Wye in Herefordshire for Barbel and Chub fishing, which are active in the autumn.
Visit Grafham Water in Cambridgeshire for excellent autumn fishing for Trout and Pike.