Fishing in Dorset – Our Pick of the Best Fishing Spots

Dorset is one of the most popular places for a fishing holiday in the UK. There are a wealth of fishing venues across the county, with something for everyone, whether you’re a beach, boat or fresh water angler.

Here we list our pick of some of the best fishing spots in Dorset.

Carp and coarse fishing venues

We know many of our guests hope to indulge in a spot of coarse fishing during a holiday in Dorset. There’s nothing better than whiling away a sunny afternoon on the bank, waiting to land something big!

There are plenty of pleasure and specimen carp fishing venues to choose from, all within driving distance of our award-winning holiday parks. Some are private, members only lakes, but others can be fished on a day ticket.

Revels Fishery, Radipole Lake and Lyons Gate Fishery all come highly recommended. All of these venues are well-stocked with a variety of species, including carp, roach, rudd, chubb and bream. Each venue will have their own rules, which we advise you to familiarise yourself with prior to heading out. Don’t forget, everyone over the age of 13 will need a valid rod fishing licence. These can be purchased in advance online or via the Post Office.

Beach fishing in Dorset

Chesil Beach is considered is best shore fishing destinations in England with anglers travelling from all over the country to fish from its shingle banks. During the weekends you’ll see tents lined along the shore as people fish through the day and into the night.

Thanks to deep shelving ledges just metres from shoreline, the water is extremely deep and can be fished at any state of the tide. This means it throws up a mixed bag of species and has been responsible for some record breaking fish in recent years.

Of course, in the summer months there are plenty of mackerel to be caught, ideal if you fancy a delicious BBQ as you watch the sunset. Eating species such as plaice, gurnard, sole and bream can all be caught on calm days when the waters are clear.

During the colder winter months cod, whiting, rays and conger eels can be caught from the shore.

One of our favourite things about fishing on Chesil is that there’s always somewhere new to go. At 18 miles long you can try out a different section each day of your stay. The most accessible and therfore most popular spots are Chesil Cove, Abbotsbury and West Bexington. Cogden and Burton Bradstock are great options too.

Always exercise extreme caution when fishing from Chesil and check the conditions before heading out. If you’re unsure speak to one of the local tackle shops for advice. We recommend Weymouth Angling if you’re fishing the Eastern end or West Bay Angling if you’re heading West.

Boat fishing

The South Coast boasts an impressive charter boat fleet, if you’re looking to spend a day at sea during a stay at one of our West Dorset Leisure Holidays caravan and camping parks. Boat fishing trips are available from Lyme Regis and West Bay as well as Weymouth, Portland and Poole, slightly further along the coast.

There are a wide variety of boats available offering different types of trips throughout the year. In the warmer months, inshore fishing trips are the most popular, with skippers targeting plaice, turbot, rays, conger eels, tope and more depending on the weather conditions.

Summer is the ideal time of year to head out if you’re a beginner. During the school holidays many boats offer shorter half day and mackerel fishing trips aimed at families and those that have never fished before. Some charter boats provide bait and all the equipment you will need – make sure you ask about this at the time of booking!

In the winter the focus shifts to wreck fishing for cod, pollock and ling in the English Channel. These trips tend to be better suited to experienced anglers because they require more gear and longer days at sea. Expect to travel for at least a couple of hours to find your mark.

Fly fishing

Fly fishing is a fantastic way to explore some of Dorset’s most scenic rivers. Admire the spectacular countryside as you wade through the water and perfect your cast. There are plenty of fly-fishing venues to be found around Dorset. The River Frome and River Allen are perhaps two of the best. Here you’ll be able to try your hand at catching brown trout, sea trout and salmon.

You will need to purchase a day fishing ticket to fish private waterways in the county. The Wrackleford Estate, Flowers Farm Trout Lakes, Amherst Lodge and Wessex Fly Fishing Trout Lakes all come highly recommended.

Whether you’re new to the sport or trying to hone your existing skills, we encourage you to consider hiring a guide for the day. They will be able to provide invaluable expert knowledge to ensure you have a successful outing.

LRF fishing on Dorset Piers

Light rod fishing is a relatively new phenomenon but fast becoming a firm favourite for anglers across the country. It’s already a big hit on Dorset’s piers and rocky outcrops and can provide hours of fun for the whole family.

LRF anglers use tiny hooks and artificial bait to try and catch small species, such as rockling, gobies and wrasse. The lightweight gear means it’s a superb sport even when catching the tiniest fish! The Stone Pier at Weymouth Harbour seems to be the go-to place for this type of fishing. However realistically any harbour setting is a great option.

One of the main advantages of LRF is you don’t need much equipment. This is great if you’re on holiday and car boot space is limited!

West Dorset Leisure Holidays parks are the ideal base for a fishing holiday in Dorset. Whether you plan on sleeping in your own touring caravan or hiring one of our caravan holidays homes or lodges, we guarantee you’ll have a comfortable stay. Our holiday parks are situated near some of the best fishing venues in the UK.