Fishing in Melbourne: waters near you
26 checked fisheries within 15 miles of Melbourne, plus 30 river stretches across Derbyshire. Closest first.
The lowdown on Melbourne waters
Right then — if you're after a bite near Melbourne, here's every water we've actually checked close by. Nearest are Foremark Reservoir (about 1 mile), Staunton Harold Reservoir (about 1 mile) and Swarkestone Park Fishery (about 2 miles).
Between them you'll find trout, pike, perch, roach, bream, tench, rudd, zander on the cards — open any venue for the lake-by-lake stock, rules and ticket prices we last checked.
Fancy running water? Derbyshire has 30 checked river stretches with who holds the rights, how to get a ticket or club book, and live river levels. Rivers fish to their own rhythm, so check the level before you set off.
Rules, prices and access can change, so always give the fishery or club a quick shout before you go. Need bait or a hand picking rigs? Find tackle shops near Melbourne, or brush up with a free fishing course.
Map of waters near Melbourne
Every pin is a fishery we've checked. Tap one to see what's in it.
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Fisheries near Melbourne
Melbourne
Foremark Reservoir
Foremark Reservoir
Melbourne · 1 lakes on site
Foremark is a proper big reservoir at approximately 230 acres, with a trout-fishing background and public facilities on site. Fishing now needs separate BMAA approval, though the club says its Foremark places are full — so this isn’t a turn-up-and-buy-a-ticket job.
76%Staunton Harold Reservoir
Melbourne · 1 lakes on site
Staunton Harold Reservoir is a big, mixed coarse-fishing water near Melbourne, managed by Burton Mutual Angling Association. It offers around 2.2 km of bank fishing, with night fishing available to BMAA members.
71%Swarkestone Park Fishery
Swarkestone · 1 lakes on site
Swarkestone Park Fishery is an 80-acre gravel pit near Swarkestone Bridge, run as a syndicate carp water with big natural features, proper access and a winter pike option. It’s a serious-ticket venue rather than a casual day-ticket puddle, with a 2026 open weekend available by advance booking.
Willington
Willington Fishery
Willington Fishery
Willington · 2 lakes on site
Willington Fishery was a historical trout venue near Willington, Derbyshire, with an approximately 19-acre lake and a separate coarse-fishing lake linked to Derbyshire County Angling Club. Current third-party listings report the fishery as permanently closed, with fishing no longer allowed.
Atherstone
Willesley Fishery
Willesley Fishery
Atherstone · 1 lakes on site
Willesley Fishery, also listed as Willesley Lake Carp and Coarse Fishery, is a big spring-fed estate lake near Ashby-de-la-Zouch. It’s now reported as syndicate-membership only, so this is one to check before making the trip.
Elvaston
Beechwood Park Fishery
Beechwood Park Fishery
Elvaston · 6 lakes on site
Beechwood Park Fishery is a six-lake complex near Elvaston, with around 170 pegs across roughly 25 acres. It looks handy for mixed coarse fishing, family sessions and carp angling, with day tickets from £4.
77%Derby Canal
Derby · 5 lakes on site
A proper 12-mile stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal, run by Pride of Derby Angling Association. It’s membership-only water with roach, perch, gudgeon, chub, bream and some cracking carp below Swarkstone Locks.
Derby
Alvaston and Osmaston Park Angling Club Waters
Alvaston and Osmaston Park Angling Club Waters
Derby · 6 lakes on site
Alvaston Park Lake is a council stillwater in Alvaston Park, Derby, managed by The Earl of Harrington's Angling Club. It offers coarse fishing with carp and pike present, plus straightforward season-ticket and day-ticket access.
Shardlow
Trent and Mersey Canal – Shardlow Stretch
Trent and Mersey Canal – Shardlow Stretch
Shardlow · 4 lakes on site
A proper stretch of canal water controlled by Pride of Derby Angling Association, running from the Trent and Mersey confluence near Shardlow west towards Stretton. Shardlow itself is described as one of the best areas, with productive lock sections, boatyards and far-bank tree cover.
62%Trent and Mersey Canal – Burton Stretch
Burton upon Trent · 1 lakes on site
A club-controlled slice of the Trent and Mersey Canal around Shobnall, Burton upon Trent, running between Bridge 32B and Shobnall Road Bridge 33. Expect proper canal fare including roach, chub, bream, perch, pike and carp.
65%Ashby Canal – Snarestone Stretch
Snarestone · 2 lakes on site
A short, permit-controlled coarse-fishing stretch on the Ashby Canal near Snarestone. It’s a mixed-fish canal with bream, roach, chub and pike, plus a restored northern section and a history of match fishing.
64%Erewash Canal
Ilkeston · 1 lakes on site
A cracking 4.2-mile managed stretch of the Erewash Canal, running from Sandiacre Bridge to Station Road Bridge in Ilkeston. Expect mixed canal species, plenty of access points and year-round fishing, with permission and an EA rod licence required.
71%Ashby Canal
Hinckley · 1 lakes on site
A proper rural canal stretch from Coton Bridge 40 to Carlton Bridge 44, managed by Ashby Angling Club. It offers mixed coarse and predator fishing, but you’ll need a named club ticket — there are no day tickets or guest tickets.
35%Thornton Reservoir
Markfield · 1 lakes on site
Thornton is a 76-acre reservoir near Markfield with a proper fly-fishing history, but the village website lists the fishery as closed and a return to fishing isn't confirmed. Public walks, free parking and the coffee kiosk are a separate matter — don't mistake visitor access for permission to wet a line.
76%Burton Mutual Angling Association Lakes
Burton upon Trent · 3 lakes on site
Burton Mutual Angling Association’s Kingstanding Pools give members three different angling options: a proper tench and crucian pool, a modest carp water and a mixed-species pool with the biggest carp to around 20 lb. It’s club-water fishing rather than a day-ticket bash, with night fishing restricted to Bottom Pool.
77%Husbands Bosworth Water
Husbands Bosworth · 5 lakes on site
Husbands Bosworth Water is officially presented as Friezeland Pools near Market Bosworth, with five carp-and-coarse pools, day tickets, matches and bookable Friday/Saturday night fishing.
78%Friezeland Pools
Bewdley · 5 lakes on site
Friezeland Pools is a five-pool carp fishery near Market Bosworth, with day tickets, booked night fishing and match options. Handy facilities, plenty of pegs and a proper carp-heavy feel, though check the postcode carefully if you’re travelling from Bewdley.
70%Beeston Canal
Beeston · 1 lakes on site
Beeston Canal is a proper club-controlled canal stretch running from Beeston Lock to Lenton, with more than 150 pegs and a handy mix of canal and river fish. Roach and bream are the main targets, with large chub, perch and the occasional carp adding a bit of spice.
65%River Trent
Beeston · 1 lakes on site
A members-only Nottingham Anglers Association stretch downstream of Beeston Weir. It is fast and shallow, with chub and barbel below the weir, then roach and dace further downstream, plus pike in the weir pool.
Sandiacre
Erewash Canal – Sandiacre Stretch
Erewash Canal – Sandiacre Stretch
Sandiacre · 1 lakes on site
A proper canal stretch running from Sandiacre towards Stanton Gate, with roach, bream, chub, perch and skimmers around Sandy Bottoms. Day-ticket access is reported, but check the current permit details with Nottingham Anglers Association before setting off.
64%Erewash Canal – Ilkeston Stretch
Ilkeston · 2 lakes on site
A proper 4.2-mile canal run from Sandiacre Bridge to Station Road Bridge, with roach, bream, chub and perch throughout. Day tickets are available, and Sandy Bottoms is the cheeky skimmer area below Pasture Lock.
Swithland
Swithland Reservoir
Swithland Reservoir
Swithland · 1 lakes on site
Swithland Reservoir is a big, shallow Leicestershire water with reported bream, tench, carp, rudd, perch, roach and pike. It looks intriguing for proper reservoir fishing, but current permission, tickets, rules and access need checking before you pack the tackle.
Barrow-upon-Soar
Barrow Boating and Fishing Club Lakes
Barrow Boating and Fishing Club Lakes
Barrow-upon-Soar · 2 lakes on site
Barrow Boating and Fishing Club Lakes appears to refer to the coarse lakes at Proctors Pleasure Park, Barrow upon Soar. There’s lake and River Soar fishing, with day tickets listed at £3 per assembled rod — but check before travelling.
69%Nottingham and Beeston Canal
Nottingham · 1 lakes on site
Nottingham and Beeston Canal is a proper urban canal venue west of Nottingham, with roughly five miles of club-managed water, more than 150 pegs and a useful mix of canal and Trent species. Roach and bream lead the way, with chub, perch and the occasional carp adding a bit of spice.
53%Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Tamworth · 1 lakes on site
A proper canal venue around Dog Lane, Amington, with fishing forming part of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal’s recreational use. Expect towpath-style canal angling rather than a bookable commercial fishery, and check local permit and signage details before setting up.
70%Erewash Canal – Langley Mill Stretch
Langley Mill · 1 lakes on site
A cracking one-mile canal stretch from Langley Mill Lock to Shipley Lock, with easy towpath access, affordable day tickets and a proper mix of silver fish, tench, predators and the odd bonus carp.
River stretches in Derbyshire
River Trent – Dr’s Surgery, Willington
River Trent · Day ticket, members or night permit
Dr’s Surgery is a proper River Trent coarse-fishing venue at Willington, run by Derbyshire County Angling Club. It’s separate from the excluded Finger Lake frontage, with access through DCAC membership or a Catch day ticket.
Species not listed by the club.
Checked 6 Oct 2026
River Trent – Sawley/Shardlow section
River Trent · Members only
The Sawley/Shardlow section is a proper mixed River Trent stretch, running around the River Derwent confluence, Sawley and Sawley Weir. It flips from slow, deep water to shallow, fast-running river, with bream and roach in the quieter areas and barbel and chub showing in the pace.
Checked 6 Oct 2026
Newton Solney — Newton Water Old Stretch
River Trent · Members only
Newton Water Old Stretch is SDAA’s lowland River Trent water at Newton Solney, with roughly 20 pegs on the Derbyshire bank. It sits close to the River Dove confluence, with the Trent forming the county boundary with Staffordshire here.
Checked 6 Oct 2026
Ingleby (John Thompson) — River Trent
River Trent · Members only
Ingleby (John Thompson) is a proper River Trent coarse-fishing stretch run by Derby Railway Angling Club. Expect fast gravel glides, deeper pools and slacks, with barbel and plenty of silverfish in the mix.
Checked 6 Oct 2026
River Trent – Willington section
River Trent · Members only
A proper mixed coarse stretch on the lowland, navigable Trent near Willington Bridge, run by Pride of Derby Angling Association. It’s members-only water, with roach, chub, barbel and bream on the club’s list.
Checked 6 Oct 2026
River Trent — Swarkestone to below Shardlow
River Trent · Members only
A big, proper Derbyshire Trent holding from Swarkestone down to below Shardlow, run exclusively by Derby Railway Angling Club. It’s membership water rather than a casual day-ticket job, with rural floodplain and navigable river character in the mix.
Species not listed by the club.
Checked 6 Oct 2026
Dove Farm – Norbury Weir stretch of the River Dove
River Dove · Guest ticket
A compact, varied bit of the River Dove above and below Norbury Weir, run as a small owner-managed club by Dove Farm. It’s wild fly fishing rather than a manicured fishery, with natural trout and grayling and strictly catch and release.
Checked 9 Oct 2026
Lower Dove and Churnet
River Dove · Members or guest ticket
A cracking LADFFA club stretch covering the Lower Dove and Churnet, with the Dove section between Rocester and Uttoxeter and the Churnet joining in upstream from the confluence. It’s a mixed bit of river, with shallow riffles, deeper pools and plenty of proper river-valley scenery.
Checked 9 Oct 2026
Birdsgrove Fly Fishing Club – River Dove, Mayfield to Okeover boundary
River Dove · Members only
A proper wild-style River Dove stretch run by Birdsgrove Fly Fishing Club, running from the old railway-bridge supports below Temple water to the Okeover Estate boundary. It’s mainly double-bank, members-only fly fishing, with brown trout and grayling the named targets.
Checked 9 Oct 2026
Izaak Walton Hotel – River Dove Dovedale stretch
River Dove · Day ticket
A peaceful 3-mile River Dove fishery in Dovedale, run by the Izaak Walton Hotel. Day fishing is available, with trout- and grayling-season passes sold from reception — but availability is limited, so booking ahead is a bob-on idea.
Checked 9 Oct 2026
River Dove – Wolfscote Dale
River Dove · Members only
Wolfscote Dale is a cracking three-mile club stretch on the River Dove, tucked into the Peak District’s limestone-dale scenery. It’s a members-only wild trout and grayling water, run by Derbyshire County Angling Club.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Dove at Doveridge
River Dove · Members only
The River Dove at Doveridge is a proper specimen stretch run by Fenton and District Angling Society. Chub over 6 lb, double-figure barbel, big perch, quality bream and specimen trout make this a tasty bit of water for both coarse and game anglers.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Dove – Scropton, Brookhouse Farm / Fauld A–B and C–D sections
River Dove · Members only
A cracking, twisty River Dove stretch at Scropton, run by Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society. It’s proper classic chub and barbel water, with deep holes, quick gravel and plenty of tree cover to pick apart.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Dove (Marchington)
River Dove · Day ticket or members
The Lower Dove at Marchington is a proper wild, tree-lined bit of river run by Saracens Head Angling Group. It’s a lower-river coarse stretch with eddies, slower margins and a history of producing big barbel.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Dove – Ellastone
River Dove · Members only
A cracking little River Dove beat near Ellastone, with roughly 500 yards of single-bank fishing on the Staffordshire side. You get the main river, a trouty brook and a currently silted mill pool, all run by Derby Railway Angling Club.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Derwent: Darley Weir to Borrowash Bridge
River Derwent (Derbyshire) · Day ticket
A cracking five-mile run of the River Derwent, from above Darley Abbey Weir down to Borrowash Bridge. It mixes quick gravelly water with deeper, slower sections, and the club lists a proper spread of coarse and river species.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
Fifty Nine Flyfishers River Dove stretch, Milldale–Coldeaton Bridge area
River Dove · Members only or guest ticket
A cracking fly-only Dove stretch run by Fifty Nine Flyfishers Club, covering roughly 2.75 miles around Milldale and Coldeaton Bridge. It’s proper scenic Peak District water, with wild and stocked brown trout plus grayling throughout.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Dove – Tutbury stretch
River Dove · Members only
A cracking bit of River Dove around Tutbury and Hatton, run by Derby Railway Angling Club. It’s proper varied game-river water, with wild trout and grayling alongside a few cheeky coarse fish.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Derwent — Ambergate to Milford
River Derwent (Derbyshire) · Day ticket or members
A proper varied Derwent stretch from Ambergate through Belper to Milford, with roughly eight miles of club water. Deep steady pools, shallow runs, snags and boulders give you plenty to get stuck into.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
Eaton Dovedale, River Dove
River Dove · Members only
Eaton Dovedale is a cracking 1.75-mile, single-bank game-river section on the Dove, roughly a mile downstream of Rocester. It’s run by Derby Railway Angling Club and is mainly a fly-fishing job, with trout and grayling the headline fish.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
Upper River Derwent — Ladybower Reservoir outflow to Grindleford
River Derwent (Derbyshire) · Club members or accompanied guests
A cracking six-mile fly-only run from the Ladybower outflow down to Grindleford, with wild brown trout and grayling, wooded gorges and proper Peak District scenery. It’s mainly a club and accompanied-guest water, rather than a wander-up-and-buy-a-ticket job.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Derwent — Whatstandwell
River Derwent (Derbyshire) · Day ticket or members
Derwent - Whatstandwell is a mixed-fishery stretch run by Derbyshire County Angling Club, tucked into the wooded Derwent Valley. It’s available to full members and through the club’s coarse-access ticket, with the A6 and railway making the village easy to pick out.
Species not listed by the club.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Derwent — South Darley (Darley Dale)
River Derwent (Derbyshire) · Day ticket or members
A cracking River Derwent venue around South Darley and Darley Dale, run by Derbyshire County Angling Club. It’s listed as mixed fishing, with access through DCAC membership or the club’s coarse tickets.
Species not listed by the club.
Checked 10 Oct 2026
River Derwent — Duffield stretch
River Derwent (Derbyshire) · Members only
A cracking bit of Derbyshire Derwent water centred around Duffield, run by Derbyshire Angling Federation. It’s members-only, with fishing for pleasure, game and specimen anglers, plus a proper winter match scene.
Checked 10 Oct 2026