PIKE FISHING NEAR ME – BEST VENUES IN THE UK
The UK is one of the best places to land a ferocious Pike. With their impressive array of teeth and hard-striking capabilities, the Pike is known as one of the most exciting pursuits in the UK angling scene.
Thankfully, there are a large number of coarse venues that permit Pike fishing and in today’s article, we will discuss some of the best overall locations based on popularity and catch rate.
Why Trust My Pike Fishing Venue Recommendations?
My name is Daniel O’Neill, and I am an avid UK Pike angler with over fourteen years of angling experience. I live in Northern Ireland, consistently targeting double-figure Pike on deadbaits and lures.
Over the years I have developed and refined my skills, increasing my catch rate and learning how to target these magnificent fish. In today’s article, I plan to utilise my experience, recommending some of the best locations in the UK to target Pike.
Lough Erne
Lough Erne is notorious for Pike fishing in Northern Ireland and I have been lucky enough to have fished it over many years.
It consists of two lakes; Lower Lough Erne and Upper Lough Erne, making it the second-biggest lake system in Northern Ireland.
Pike can be targeted on the Erne year-round, though most anglers prefer to fish for them in the winter. This seasonal preference is primarily due to fish welfare, as Pike tend not to recover as well when caught in warmer weather. Additionally, winter is considered the more effective season for Pike fishing.
Pike above 20lb are a regular catch on the Erne with the odd fish above 30lb being landed. Lough Erne is said to have held 70lb Pike in the 1960s, showcasing the true potential of these waters.
Lough Erne has a great selection of Roach, Bream, and Perch, making for some superb drop shot and feeder fishing.
It is well known that both pier and boat fishing is prosperous on the Erne, however selecting a reputable Pike guide is one of the easiest ways to target the larger females at the more secluded drop-offs.
If you are searching for a budget-friendly approach to the Erne, fishing from November to March in weedy bays works well with common deadbait setups.
It should be noted that Lower and Upper Lough Erne vary drastically in terrain, making it essential to select the one that best fits your fishing technique. Lower Lough Erne is a massive expanse of water, while Upper Lough Erne features a mixture of islands, small channels, and reed beds.
Chew Valley Lake
Chew Valley Lake is a reservoir in England with an average depth of 14ft. It has recently been in the spotlight for producing the brand new 2024 British Pike record weighing a massive 47lb 5oz, caught by Lloyd Watson in February.
Day tickets over the weekend can be purchased to fish the Chew Valley Lake at £75 per angler for bank sessions and £195 per boat session, covering two anglers.
A full predator season ticket costs £775 and there are only 50 available per season, being released at the start of the year.Â
Chew Valley Lake is a location of special scientific interest, necessitating strict regulations for Pike welfare.
For example, bait boats must not exceed 100 metres from the bank while boat anglers are on the water.
Additionally, boat anglers must stay 100 metres away from deadbait/lure bank anglers, and a maximum of two rods can be used.
Smelt and bluey are recommended baits amongst Chew Valley Lake Anglers.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is one of Scotland’s most popular Pike lakes situated in Trossachs National Park.
It has the largest surface area of freshwater in the entire UK, making it a great venue for boat fishing.
It is highlighted as one of the best locations for Pike fishing in Scotland by the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain and no permit is needed.
However, it should be noted that deadbaiting is the only permitted form of Pike angling.Â
There is a great variety of species to target while coarse fishing on Loch Lomond, such as Perch, Roach, Ruffe, Dace, and Powan.
Live baiting is strictly forbidden on Loch Lomond due to the introduction of Ruff which has decimated local stocks of both game and coarse fish.
Llangorse Lake
Llangorse Lake is situated in Wales at the Brecon Beacons National Park. This 327-acre lake is a site of special scientific interest, with an unusually high fish population.
Anglers can target a great variety of coarse species from Pike, Perch, Roach, Tench, Bream, and even freshwater eels.
It should be noted that Llangorse Lake is a boat-only water. Boats can be hired from various locations on Llangorse Lake but they must be returned before 4.00pm.
Llangorse Lake was historically known for holding colossal Pike. The record stands at a massive 68lbs caught in 1846 by O. Owen, highlighting the true potential that Llangorse Lake holds.
Recently, Pike up to 30lb have been landed from Llangorse Lake, with fish above 20lb being common.
Deadbaits are particularly efficient in winter and lures in spring.
Permits for angling are issued by the Llangorse Lake Conservation and Management Co. Ltd.Â
The Final Word
Overall, the UK boasts some superb Pike fishing venues. In this article I have highlighted my top choices for the most popular Pike fishing venues in each country.
Whether you plan on targeting the specimens in Chew Valley Lake or the large numbers in Llangorse Lake, there is something for every style of Pike angler.
