Grafham Water

Tucked into England, United Kingdom, Grafham Water is a reservoir that fishes differently season to season. Spring brings fish into the shallows to spawn or feed on early baitfish; midsummer pushes them to cooler, deeper water; autumn turns them aggressive again as they pack on weight before winter. Anglers planning a trip to Grafham Water should check water temperature and recent weather — a sudden cold front can shut a reservoir like this down for a day.

Location

52.2981, -0.3137 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

ZanderCommon breamRainbow troutEuropean perch

Fishing Techniques

• For Zander

  Use a slow retrieve with occasional pauses to allow the lure to sink and trigger strikes from zander lying on the bottom.

• For Common bream

  Bream are often bottom feeders, so use a bait that presents well on the lake or riverbed, and pre-bait the area you plan to fish.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Grafham Water.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Grafham Water, make sure your licence covers England, United Kingdom and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in England

See all fishing spots in England →

Other Fishing Regions in United Kingdom