Fishing in Cumbria: Rivers, Lakes and Permits

Cumbria is one of the finest fishing destinations in England. The rivers and lakes around Penrith and the Eden Valley offer superb sport for game anglers, coarse fishermen, and casual holiday rod-dippers alike. If you’re planning a fishing holiday — or just fancy a few hours on the riverbank — our cottages near Penrith put you right in the heart of some of the best water in the country.

Here’s everything you need to know about fishing in Cumbria, including where to go, what to catch, and how to get your permits sorted.

The River Eden: Cumbria’s Crown Jewel

The River Eden is widely considered one of England’s premier salmon and trout rivers. It rises in the Yorkshire Dales, flows through the Eden Valley past Appleby and Penrith, and enters the Solway Firth near Carlisle. The river holds good populations of Atlantic salmon, sea trout, brown trout, and grayling.

If you’re staying at Rittson Cottage in Eamont Bridge, you’re practically on the River Eamont — a major tributary of the Eden and an excellent trout and salmon river in its own right. You can hear the water from the cottage garden.

What You Can Catch

• Salmon: The Eden’s salmon run builds from late summer, with the best sport typically in September, October, and November. Fly fishing is the most popular method, though spinning is permitted on some beats.
• Sea trout: Best from June through September, with night fishing a traditional and thrilling approach.
• Brown trout: The Eden and its tributaries hold wild brown trout throughout. The season runs from 15 March to 30 September. Dry fly fishing in the summer months is wonderful.
• Grayling: Often overlooked, but the Eden has excellent grayling fishing, particularly from October through February when the trout season is closed.

Permits and Access

You’ll need two things to fish the Eden legally:

1. An Environment Agency rod licence: Available online at gov.uk/fishing-licences. A day licence for trout and coarse fish costs around £7, or £12 for salmon and sea trout. You can buy one on your phone in minutes.
2. A permit for the specific beat: The Eden is divided into beats controlled by different clubs, estates, and associations. The main ones near Penrith include:
   • Penrith Angling Association: Controls several excellent beats on the Eden and Eamont near Penrith. Day and weekly permits are available from local tackle shops.
   • Appleby Angling Association: Good water around Appleby, with day tickets available.
   • Lowther Estate: Controls some premium beats on the Lowther and Eamont. Details on the estate website.

Lake Fishing near Penrith

Ullswater

Ullswater is the second-largest lake in the Lake District and holds brown trout, perch, pike, and Arctic char (a rare Ice Age relic). Fishing from the shore is free with a rod licence, though boat fishing gives you access to the deeper water where the larger trout and char lurk. Boats can be hired at Glenridding and Pooley Bridge.

Ullswater is about 15 minutes’ drive from all three of our cottages, making it easy to fit in a morning’s fishing before lunch.

Haweswater

This quieter reservoir in the eastern Lake District offers brown trout and perch fishing in a spectacular setting. It’s managed by United Utilities, and day permits are available. The fishing can be excellent, particularly in the evenings during summer, and you’ll often have the lakeshore largely to yourself. See our Haweswater guide for more on this hidden gem.

Tarn Fishing

For something more adventurous, the Lake District fells are dotted with mountain tarns that hold wild brown trout. Angle Tarn above Patterdale and Red Tarn below Helvellyn are atmospheric spots, though you’ll need to carry your rod up the fell. Most fell tarns are free to fish with a rod licence, but check locally.

Coarse Fishing near Penrith

While the area is best known for game fishing, there is coarse fishing available too. Several small stillwaters and ponds near Penrith offer day-ticket fishing for carp, tench, roach, and perch. The Eden itself holds chub and dace in its lower reaches. The coarse fishing season on rivers runs from 16 June to 14 March.

Tackle Shops and Local Advice

For permits, tackle, flies, and local knowledge, your best bet is to visit a local tackle shop. In Penrith, Eden Angling can sort you out with everything you need and will happily point you towards the best beats for the time of year. They stock day permits for several local associations.

Seasons at a Glance

Stay and Fish

Our cottages near Penrith are perfectly placed for a fishing break in Cumbria. Rittson Cottage sits beside the River Eamont — you can practically cast from the garden. Fern Cottage and Maple Cottage in Great Strickland are a short drive from the best Eden beats and the lakes. All three cottages have space to store and dry your gear, and there’s nothing quite like coming home to a warm, comfortable cottage after a day on the water.