There’s something truly special about stumbling upon a fishing spot that doesn’t appear in any guidebook. Last month, as I watched the sun creep over a secluded tarn in the Lake District, rod in hand and not another soul in sight, I was reminded why I fell in love with angling in the first place. It wasn’t just about the fish—though I did land a cracking brown trout that morning—it was about the connection to wild places that most people simply walk past.
After twenty-odd years of exploring Britain’s waterways, I’ve built up a mental map of spots that have given me some of my most memorable fishing experiences. These aren’t the venues you’ll find plastered across social media or packed with weekend warriors. They’re the places where you can still hear your own thoughts, where every cast feels like a conversation with the landscape itself.
So grab a brew and settle in while I share ten of my favourite hidden gems across the UK. Just promise me you’ll treat them with the respect they deserve.
1. Loch Lona, Scottish Highlands
Tucked away in a fold of the Highlands, Loch Lona feels like stepping back in time. The local history buffs will tell you Vikings once fished these waters, and standing on its shores at first light, you can almost believe it. The loch sits cradled between weathered peaks, their reflections so perfect on calm mornings that you’ll struggle to tell where mountain ends and water begins.
I’ve had my best success here targeting brown and rainbow trout, particularly in the deeper water near the eastern shoreline. The fish aren’t massive, but they’re feisty and beautifully marked. What really sets this place apart is the silence—the only sounds are the gentle lap of water and the occasional call of a curlew.
Getting there: Park at the small layby off the A832 and follow the old stalkers’ path for about twenty minutes. The walk keeps the crowds away, but it’s worth every step.
Location: View on Google Maps
Insider tip: Arrive before dawn. The trout are most active in that magical hour just as the light starts to creep across the water, and you’ll likely have the place entirely to yourself.
2. Easedale Tarn, Lake District
While the tour buses queue up for Windermere, savvy anglers know to head for Easedale Tarn. This upland water sits above Grasmere, hidden away where only walkers and the occasional fell runner venture. I discovered it by accident five years ago when following what I thought was a path to somewhere else entirely.
The tarn holds some lovely brown trout, and I’ve found light float fishing from the shore works best. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching your float dip while surrounded by fells that inspired Wordsworth himself. I’ll never forget one autumn morning when the first frost of the year sparkled on my line just as I connected with a perfect wild brownie—moments like that are why we do this.
Location: View on Google Maps
What to bring: Keep your tackle light. A 10-foot float rod and a selection of natural flies will see you right. The walk up is steep enough without hauling unnecessary gear.
3. River Plym, Devon
Most people know the Plym for its estuary, but the upper reaches tell a different story entirely. Beyond Plympton, the river cuts through some gorgeous countryside, with sections that feel completely forgotten by time. I’ve spent countless mornings working the gravel bars and deeper bends, where overhanging trees create perfect holding spots for roach, dace, and the odd grayling.
There’s a particular stretch downstream of Shaugh Prior that never fails to produce. The river runs clear over granite bedrock, creating natural pools that hold fish throughout the year. Every tremor of the float tip feels electric in these quiet, dappled reaches where kingfishers flash blue between the alders.
Location: View on Google Maps
Local knowledge: Focus on the slack water behind large boulders and the undercut banks where tree roots reach into the current. A waggler float and single maggot will often outfish anything fancy.
4. Blithfield Reservoir, Staffordshire
Don’t let Blithfield’s size fool you—this sprawling water has pockets that might as well be private lakes. While most anglers head for the main banks, I’ve found some tremendous fishing in the smaller coves and inlets that dot the northern shoreline. These sheltered spots warm up quicker in spring and hold impressive head of carp that rarely see a hook.
My favourite ritual here involves arriving before light with a flask of proper coffee, watching the mist lift from the water as bubbles start popping around feeding fish. There’s something meditative about carp fishing at its most peaceful—just you, the water, and the anticipation of that sudden screaming take.
Location: View on Google Maps
Tackle recommendation: Medium-weight carp gear with running leads works best. Hair-rigged pellets and sweetcorn have been my most reliable baits, particularly in the warmer months.
5. River Wye, Mid-Wales
The Wye gets plenty of attention for its salmon fishing, but there are reaches where wild brown trout and grayling rule the pools. I’m particularly fond of a section near Rhayader where the river carves through limestone gorges draped in ancient oak woodland. The water runs gin-clear over polished bedrock, creating perfect conditions for sight fishing.
This is dry fly and nymph territory, where a delicate presentation can make the difference between success and a blank day. I still get that familiar flutter of excitement remembering a late autumn afternoon when a trophy grayling rolled at my Adams pattern, its sail-like dorsal fin catching the last light filtering through yellow leaves.
Location: View on Google Maps
Essential skills: Accurate casting is crucial here. Practice your roll cast before you visit—there’s not much back-cast room under those overhanging branches.
6. Loch an Eilein, Cairngorms
Picture a mirror-smooth loch with a castle-topped island rising from its centre, surrounded by ancient Caledonian pines—that’s Loch an Eilein on a still morning. This isn’t just one of Scotland’s most beautiful waters; it’s also home to some cracking pike and perch that lurk around the submerged timber and rocky shoreline.
The atmosphere here is something else entirely. You’ll fish to the soft whisper of wind through pine needles and the distant splash of an osprey taking fish. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why we seek out wild water in the first place.
Location: View on Google Maps
Best approach: Lure fishing along the margins pays dividends. Small spoons and soft plastics work well for the perch, while the pike respond to larger plugs worked slowly through the deeper water.
7. Pitsford Water, Northamptonshire
With over 750 acres to explore, Pitsford offers miles of varied shoreline and countless hidden bays that rarely see fishing pressure. While it’s known for its trout fishing, I’ve discovered some exceptional carp fishing in the quieter corners where reed beds provide natural cover.
Night fishing here is particularly special. There’s something magical about watching stars reflect on still water while waiting for a rod tip to bend. The carp here aren’t pressured like those on the famous day-ticket waters, and they’ll often feed confidently right through the night.
Location: View on Google Maps
Local tip: Explore the dam wall area after heavy rain. The extra flow brings food down from the feeder streams, and the fish know it.
8. River Itchen, Hampshire
The Itchen needs little introduction among chalk stream enthusiasts, but there are still stretches where wild brown trout rise to mayflies without seeing another angler from one week to the next. These upper reaches flow crystal-clear through water meadows where lapwings call overhead and wild flowers nod in the breeze.
This is technical fishing at its finest—long leaders, small flies, and presentations that would make a ballet dancer proud. But when it comes together, when a wild brownie sips your fly with complete confidence, it’s pure magic. The gentle murmur of current over gravel and the song of skylarks overhead complete a sensory experience that stays with you long after you’ve packed up.
Location: View on Google Maps
Purist approach: Barbless hooks only, and practice catch and release. These wild fish are precious, and we’re just borrowing them for a moment.
9. Cwmorthin Reservoir, Snowdonia
High in the Welsh mountains sits this dramatic quarry lake, carved from slate and surrounded by peaks that scrape the sky. Getting here requires a decent walk, but the effort keeps casual visitors away and ensures you’ll likely have this spectacular venue to yourself.
The fishing is as dramatic as the setting—pike lurk along the rocky drop-offs and slate shelves, while the surface often explodes with the splashes of feeding fish. I’ve spent entire afternoons here spinning small lures along the margins, watching golden eagles circle overhead while waiting for that jarring take that signals a Welsh pike.
Location: View on Google Maps
Mountain fishing: Weather can change quickly at altitude. Pack waterproofs and let someone know your plans. The fishing might be great, but safety comes first.
10. River Tamar, Cornwall/Devon Border
The Tamar flows through some of Britain’s most unspoiled countryside, forming the ancient boundary between Cornwall and Devon. Where the river meanders through wooded valleys, hidden pools hold quality bream, roach, and dace that rarely see pressure from visiting anglers.
What makes the Tamar special is its variety—tidal influences mix with pure river fishing, creating diverse habitats in a single session. You might leger for bream in the deeper bends, then switch to float fishing for dace in the shallow glides. Every pool seems to hold a different surprise.
Location: View on Google Maps
Versatile approach: Pack both leger and float gear. The changing conditions throughout a single stretch mean you’ll want options to adapt to what the river offers.
Finding Your Own Secret Spots
Each of these waters has given me memories that will last a lifetime, but the real magic lies in discovering your own hidden gems. The key is to look beyond the obvious—follow footpaths that peter out, explore tributaries that don’t appear on fishing maps, and never dismiss water just because it looks unpromising from the roadside.
The best fishing often happens where you least expect it, in places that remind us why we fell in love with angling in the first place. It’s not always about the biggest fish or the most fish—sometimes it’s simply about finding that perfect moment when everything comes together in a place that feels entirely your own.
So pick a spot from this list, or better yet, find your own. Pack light, arrive early, and remember that the best fishing stories always begin with the words “I found this little place…”
I’d love to hear about your own discoveries. Drop me a line through the contact page with your photos and stories—there’s nothing I enjoy more than hearing about fellow anglers connecting with wild water.
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Remember: always check fishing rights and local bylaws before wetting a line. Respect the environment, practice catch and release where appropriate, and leave only footprints. These places stay special because people treat them with care.