Predator Fishing at Bewl Water
Target pike and perch in one of the South East's most productive predator fisheries. 800 acres of open water holds some seriously impressive fish.
Book a Boat SessionSeasonal fishery: The 2026/27 predator season runs from 31 October 2026 to 22 February 2027. Predator sessions cannot be booked for dates before the season opens. Trout fishing is available from 18 March 2026 to 14 February 2027.
What You Can Catch
Bewl Water is home to outstanding predator species: Pike, Perch, Bream, Roach, Ruffe, Tench and Eels.
Pike
Bewl Water holds a healthy stock of pike with caught sizes up to 42lbs! The reservoir's large bream and roach population provides excellent natural prey, producing big, well-conditioned fish. The 2026/27 predator season runs from 31 October 2026 to 22 February 2027. Outside of the season is done at the discretion of the Rangers upon email request.
Recommended Techniques
- Dead baiting with sea or coarse baits
- Lure fishing: jigs, soft plastics, crankbaits
- Float-fished dead baits
Perch
Perch in Bewl Water can reach genuinely impressive sizes, with fish measuring over 46cm taken regularly. They can be found throughout the reservoir, with the deeper water and structure areas around old farm buildings and bridge remains particularly productive.
Recommended Techniques
- Drop-shotting with soft plastics
- Jigging with shads and grubs
- Fishing with worms under a float
- Spinning with small spinners and spoons
Tickets and Prices
Predator fishing is catch and release. The 31 October 2026 to 22 February 2027 season is open to book now.
Predator Fishing from the Boat
Priced per boat, for one to three anglers. The price includes boat hire, your fishing permits and parking. Only predators can be targeted and all fish must be returned to the water alive. You must be aged 18 or over to hire a boat.
- Predator fishing from the boat for 1 person£50
- Predator fishing from the boat for 2 people£90
- Predator fishing from the boat for 3 people£120
Predator Fishing from the Bank
There is no separate predator ticket for the bank. Predator fishing from the bank is covered by the Catch and release bank ticket, and every fish must be returned alive.
- Catch and release bank ticket£27.50
There is no separate junior price for predator fishing. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or over. An EA rod licence is not included and must be purchased separately from gov.uk.
Predator Fishing Rules
Bewl Water is managed with the long-term health of the fishery in mind. Please read and follow all predator fishing rules before your session.
- Predator season: 31 October 2026 to 22 February 2027 (trout fishing 18 March 2026 to 14 February 2027)
- All pike must be returned immediately and carefully
- Unhooking mats and wire cutters/long-nosed pliers are mandatory
- Treble hooks must be barbless or semi-barbless
- Only one rod may be used when dead baiting
- Live baiting is not permitted; lures or plugs only
- All anglers must hold a valid EA rod licence
- Catch returns are required for all predator sessions
- Minimum of 10lb breaking strain on the line used
- Wire trace leaders must be used when targeting pike
- Pike fishing in water temperatures above 17°C is strictly prohibited
Season Guide
Early season. Pike are increasingly active as temperatures drop. Perch feeding hard ahead of winter. Lures and dead baits both work well.
Peak predator season. Cold, clear water can switch fish on, and they can be found feeding in the bays, but the biggest pike of the season are often caught in the coldest months.
Final month of the predator season. Fish are moving towards spawning areas. Can produce excellent sport right up to the close.
More Fishing at Bewl Water
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