Is there anything more relaxing than spending some time beside a quiet lake, fishing to your heart's content and then strolling back to a peaceful campsite? It's up there as one of the best holidays to have.
We have hundreds of campsites for fishing for you to choose from, or if you are looking for something closer, take a look at our campgrounds near me page.
Here are some fishing campsites in England that we would suggest trying.
The ever-popular Lake District caters for many different holidays. From cycling, walking to fishing, it is a fantastic location. We cover many places to fish with a campsite in close vicinity.
Inspiring authors such as Arthur Ransome with his 'Swallows and Amazons' book, Windermere is the largest natural lake in England.
Lake Windermere is a consistently popular place for fishing with local species including:
One of only three lakes open to the public in the Lake District it can be reasonably busy, but the local pubs serving fabulous food and log fires bring a welcome warming retreat after a spot of autumnal fishing.
Here are two campsites on the edge of Lake Windermere.
Park Cliffe
https://alanrogers.com/campsite/park-cliffe-camping-caravan-estate-uk5545
Hill of Oaks Caravan Park
https://alanrogers.com/campsite/hill-of-oaks-caravan-park-uk5615
(For this particular campsite, tents are not allowed; however, they have private accommodation to rent.)
Rainbow and brown trout are common in this 184 feet deep body of water. To get to the deepest parts, you will need to take a boat, and the shoreline can be quite shallow. It is the Lake District's third largest lake and has a wealth of history, perhaps best known as the location where Donald Campbell, sadly lost his life pursuing a world water speed record.
You can head to the Ruskin Museum, which celebrates the life and history of both Donald Campbell and the surrounding areas.
Board the Heritage Steam Yacht Gondola which is a beautiful Victorian steam-powered yacht run by the National Trust to see more of the lake.
Perhaps best enjoyed in the autumnal and winter months – due to fewer tourists, Coniston water can provide a wide variety of fish with some reports of fish from this lake weighing over 20 lbs.
Popular with pike fishers, there are plenty of spots dotted around the lake that are well sheltered, essential for the winter months.
Coniston Park Coppice Caravan and Motorhome Club Site
This campsite is perfectly positioned to enjoy all the fishing you could want. The standard of facilities is exceptional, and with the village of Coniston just two miles away you can easily enjoy a night in one of the local pubs.
Moving further up North Solway Firth enjoys warmer waters fed from the Gulf stream. This area is home to some of the best sea fishing in the UK.
The Solway Coast has been an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1964 although the construction of the Robin Rigg Wind Farm is somewhat contradictory to that title.
The water is mostly gentle; however, there are some patches of quicksand, so be sure to research the area you want to fish in detail and ask the locals for advice.
Well known for the best pollock, tope and ray fishing in the United Kingdom, the Solway Firth has to be on the list for any sea fishing enthusiast.
The Stanwix Park Holiday Centre is an excellent choice for families as it comes with an indoor tropical leisure centre, restaurant with a takeaway option, mini-golf, tennis and much much more.
If you prefer the quieter side of life, the Hylton Caravan Park is a good option.
The town and the larger Stanwix Park are close by.
Situated in Keswick, in the northern section of the Lake District, Watendlath is seven acres of fly only fishery, regularly stocked with brown and rainbow trout.
Owned by the National Trust, this stunning area of Lake District is often best in the autumn for fishing. Pick up a fishing permit from the farmhouse and enjoy a cup of tea there once you have finished.
Stay at the Castelrigg Hall Camping Park and enjoy stunning views while only being a short 20 minutes walk from Derwentwater, Keswick and others.
You can also enjoy various walking and cycling routes from this campsite that also has a drying room for your wet clothes should the weather turn.
It is also a pet-friendly website and has various sanitary facilities for dogs, including dog showers.
This lake is predominantly pike however there is also roach, perch brown trout, eels and dace with some salmon fishing. If you have a non-powered boat, you can take this out on the lake, but first, you will need a permit.
At four miles long and lying in the foot of the slopes of Skiddaw, this lake is one of the most important lakes around the Lake District due to its extensive biodiversity.
There's much to do in Bassenthwaite with the 931-metre mountain of Skiddaw to climb if you fancy stretching your legs.
If you fancy some industrial history, why not go to the Force Crag Mine at the head of Coledale and hear about the 200-year history of men working the land for lead, zinc and baryte.
The mine is only open for a few days a year. Be sure to book with the National Trust here.
Stay at Castelrigg Hall Camping Park
https://alanrogers.com/campsite/castlerigg-hall-caravan-camping-park-uk5660
Arguably one of the most stunning lakes, Ullswater is just one of three lakes in the Lake District where you can fish for free.
Enjoy the copious trout fishing as well as char, pike and endangered schelly however it is best known for wild brown trout.
If it is the trout you want to fish, then make sure you go between 15th March and 30th September.
Warm-up with tea or coffee at the boatyard's café and hire a motorboat for the day – perfect.
Quiet Site Caravan and Camping Park
https://alanrogers.com/campsite/the-quiet-site-caravan-camping-park-uk5630
Ullswater Caravan Park
https://alanrogers.com/campsite/ullswater-caravan-camping-marine-park-uk5635
Waterfoot Caravan Park
https://alanrogers.com/campsite/waterfoot-caravan-park-uk5610
These are just a small selection of our campsites around the Lake District and Cumbria. For more options, peruse our Cumbria campsites page.
As always, be sure to obey local laws on both land and water. Ensure you have the right permits for fishing and any boat use and of course, always be sure to leave the area with no trace.
The Alan Rogers Team
Content Writers
Every year our team of expert assessors visit hundreds of campsites throughout Europe, in search of the best.
Alan Rogers started with the specific aim of providing people with the necessary information to make an informed decision about their holiday destination. Today we still do that.
The information we provide now takes many forms, not just printed guides. One element that has not changed is our expertise.
