Where to Fish
The Norfolk Broads offer a wealth of fishing opportunities, with numerous free fishing spots and angling platforms along the riverbanks. Anglers can also fish from boats on the open waters. Additionally, some private Broads permit fishing by prior arrangement, while others operate on a day-ticket basis.
Important Considerations:
- Ensure you have the necessary permissions to fish on private land or the Broads, as unauthorised fishing may lead to legal consequences.
- Several locations provide disability-friendly access, including wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms at:
- Rollesby Bridge
- Filby Broad
- The southeast bank at Martham on the River Thurne
- Upstream of New Bridge at Potter Heigham
Restricted Areas:
Some Broads are designated as conservation areas or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and prohibit fishing. These areas are clearly marked with signage.
Licences
A valid Environment Agency Rod Licence is mandatory for fishing in the Norfolk Broads. Licences can be obtained from Post Offices or online.
Open Fishing Season Dates:
- Coarse Fishing: 16th June – 14th March (closed season: 15th March – 15th June).
For further details on licences and seasonal regulations, visit:
Known Fishing Hotspots
Different species thrive in specific locations across the Broads:
- Potter Heigham: Bream, Roach, Hybrids, Eel
- Wroxham & Hickling Broad: Pike, Ruff
- Ludham Basin: Perch
- Malthouse Broad: Tench
- Great Yarmouth Harbour: Sea Bass
- River Wensum (Norwich): Excellent urban fishing for Roach and Perch
- Dilham: A great spot for pike fishing at the bridge
Recommended Tackle & Equipment
To maximise your fishing experience, consider bringing:
- Rods: Spinning rods, pike rods, jerk bait rods, ledger/swing tip rods, feeder rods, 10m carbon poles
- Reels: Bait runners, centre pin reels, light spinning reels
- Lines: Mono lines (4lb–15lb)
- Lures & Hooks: Assorted plugs, spoons, spinners, barbless/micro-barb hooks
- Accessories: Disgorgers, forceps, keepnets, unhooking mats, weighing slings
- Clothing & Gear: Waterproof clothing, waders, fishing umbrella, bait boxes
Recommended Bait & Fishing Methods
Bait Options:
- Irish minnows, jerk baits, dead baits (mackerel, herring, smelt, sprats)
- Worms (brandlings, red worms), ground baits, pellets, maggots, casters
- Bread crusts, hemp, sweetcorn
Fishing Techniques:
- Trolling, spinning, and dead baiting
- Pole and feeder fishing, waggler fishing
Best Practices for Ethical Fishing
Handling & Retaining Fish:
- Secure keepnets properly to the bank or boat.
- Use fish-friendly mesh keepnets and avoid overcrowding.
- Retain fish for minimal time and release them gently.
- Never retain large fish in keepnets or tow nets behind boats.
Unhooking Fish:
- Wet your hands before handling fish.
- Use disgorgers/forceps for hook removal.
- Lay the fish on a soft, wet surface (an unhooking mat for large fish).
- Avoid using towels, as they remove protective slime.
- Hold the fish low to the ground to prevent injury if dropped.
Photographing Catches:
- Prepare your camera beforehand to minimise stress on the fish.
- Return fish to the water promptly after weighing.
Safety & Environmental Considerations
General Safety:
- Never leave baited rods unattended (risk to wildlife and equipment).
- Avoid leaving valuables unattended on banks or boats.
Fishing from Boats:
- Moor safely and drop mud weights gently.
- Always wear a life jacket.
- Avoid trailing baits from moving boats.
- Wear non-slip footwear and observe speed limits.
Environmental Responsibility:
- Take all litter home and never discard fishing tackle.
- Avoid snagging vegetation or disturbing wildlife.
- Remove tangled rigs where safe to do so.
- Be mindful of birds near fishing lines.
Power Lines & Other Hazards:
- Watch for overhead power cables, especially near boatyards.
- Look out for signs and cast carefully.
Respecting Other Water Users:
- Give way to boats at mooring spots.
- Be visible when fishing on river bends.
- Clear paths for walkers and cyclists.
Freshwater Fish Species in the Norfolk Broads
Roach (Rutilus rutilus)
- Size: 8–10 inches, 1–2lbs (specimen: 2lbs+)
- Habitat: Slow-running rivers
- Bait: Bread, maggots, casters, sweetcorn, hemp
- Tackle: 2lb–4lb line, hooks size 20–12
- Colouration: Silvery-blue scales with bright red-orange fins (especially the pelvic and anal fins).
- Body Shape: Slender and slightly flattened, with a forked tail.
- Eyes: Distinctive red or orange tint in the iris.
- Size: Typically 8–10 inches, weighing 1–2lbs (specimen size: 2lbs+).
Where to Find Them:
- Common in slow-moving rivers and still waters across the Broads.
- Often swim in large shoals near the bottom or mid-water.
Key Recognition Tip:
The bright red fins and silvery body make the roach easy to distinguish from similar species like rudd.
Bream (Abramis abrama)
- Size: Up to 12 inches, 2–7lbs (specimen: 7lbs+)
- Habitat: Shoals in rivers and enclosed waters
- Bait: Bread, maggots, worms, ground bait
- Tackle: 3lb–6lb line, hooks size 18–8
- Colouration: Deep bronze or olive-green back, fading to yellowish sides and a pale belly.
- Body Shape: Tall, flattened body with a high back and a long anal fin (20+ soft rays).
- Scales: Large and thick, giving a rough texture when handled.
- Size: Up to 12 inches, 2–7lbs (specimen size: 7lbs+).
Where to Find Them:
- Prefers deeper, slow-moving waters and often gathers in large shoals.
- Found in both rivers and enclosed broads.
Key Recognition Tip:
The extremely tall, slab-sided body and long anal fin are unmistakable.
Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)
- Size: Up to 13 inches, 1lb (specimen: 1.25lbs+)
- Habitat: Reed beds, quiet bays
- Bait: Bread crust, casters, sweetcorn
- Tackle: 2lb–4lb line, hooks size 20–12
- Colouration: Golden-bronze flanks with bright red fins (similar to roach, but more vivid).
- Body Shape: Slightly deeper-bodied than roach, with an upturned mouth.
- Eyes: Yellowish-gold with a red spot above the pupil.
- Size: Up to 13 inches, around 1lb (specimen size: 1.25lbs+).
Where to Find Them:
- Favors weedy margins and quiet bays, especially in the Upper Thurne and Hickling Broad.
- Often swims near the surface.
Key Recognition Tip:
The upturned mouth (for surface feeding) and golden sheen help distinguish it from roach.
Tench (Tinca tinca)
- Size: 12–16 inches, 3–5lbs (specimen: 4–6lbs+)
- Habitat: Reed margins, lilies
- Bait: Worms, maggots, ground bait
- Tackle: 5lb–6lb line, hooks size 16–8
- Colouration: Dark olive-green or bronze body with a lighter belly.
- Body Shape: Thick, muscular, and slightly rounded with small scales covered in thick slime.
- Fins: Rounded, with an orange or red tinge at the base.
- Size: 12–16 inches, 3–5lbs (specimen size: 4–6lbs+).
Where to Find Them:
- Loves weedy areas, lily pads, and muddy bottoms (e.g., Malthouse Broad, River Thurne).
- Most active at dawn and dusk.
Key Recognition Tip:
The thick slime coating and small, deep-set eyes are unique to tench.
Perch (Perca fluviatilis)
- Size: Up to 12 inches, 2–4lbs (specimen: 3lbs+)
- Habitat: Under cover, deep reeds
- Bait: Worms, small fish, lures
- Tackle: 2lb–6lb line, hooks size 18–8
- Colouration: Greenish back with dark vertical stripes and bright orange-red pelvic fins.
- Body Shape: Hump-backed when large, with a spiny dorsal fin.
- Fins: Two dorsal fins (first one spiny, second soft).
- Size: Up to 12 inches, 2–4lbs (specimen size: 3lbs+).
Where to Find Them:
- Hides near structures (overhanging trees, boat moorings, reeds).
- Aggressive predators—caught on small lures or live bait.
Key Recognition Tip:
The tiger-like stripes and fiery red fins make perch unmistakable.
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
- Size: 10–20lbs (specimen: 30lbs+)
- Habitat: Still waters, rivers
- Bait: Corn, meat, pellets, bread
- Tackle: 10lb line, heavy feeder rod
- Colouration: Golden-brown to dark green back, fading to a creamy-yellow belly.
- Body Shape: Deep, heavy-bodied with large scales and a long dorsal fin.
- Barbels: Two pairs of whisker-like barbels near the mouth.
- Size: 10–20lbs (specimen size: 30lbs+).
Where to Find Them:
- Prefers still or slow-moving waters (e.g., Waveney, Yare).
- Often stirs up mud when feeding.
Key Recognition Tip:
The whisker-like barbels and thick, powerful body are distinctive.
Pike (Esox lucius)
- Size: 4–12lbs (specimen: 20lbs+)
- Habitat: Common across Broads
- Bait: Freshwater/seafish baits, lures
- Tackle: 15lb+ line, wire trace, semi-barbed hooks
- Colouration: Greenish-grey with light spots or bars along the flanks.
- Body Shape: Long, torpedo-like with a duck-bill snout full of sharp teeth.
- Fins: Dorsal and anal fins set far back near the tail.
- Size: 15–40 inches+, 4–12lbs (specimen size: 20lbs+).
Where to Find Them:
- Pike ambush predators lurking near weed beds, drop-offs, and river bends.
- Found throughout the Broads, especially in Wroxham and Hickling.
Key Recognition Tip:
The elongated body, sharp teeth, and camouflage patterning are dead giveaways.
Eel (Anguilla anguilla)
How to Identify:
- Colouration: Dark brown or olive-green back, yellowish belly.
- Body Shape: Snake-like, with a continuous dorsal fin running to the tail.
- Skin: Slimy and smooth (no visible scales).
- Size: Up to 3ft, 1–4lbs.
Where to Find Them:
- Nocturnal feeders, often caught at night in deep holes or near structures.
Key Recognition Tip:
The sinuous, snake-like body and slimy texture are unmistakable.
Final Tips for a Successful Fishing Trip
- Check local regulations before fishing.
- Use appropriate gear for target species.
- Respect wildlife and other water users.
- Follow ethical fishing practices to protect fish populations.
Enjoy your fishing adventure in the Norfolk Broads!