Question 1

Is the fishery suitable for beginners and families?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's a day ticket pleasure fishing venue rather than a specialist match lake, and is well suited to families and anglers returning to the sport.

Question 2

Do I need a rod licence to fish at Upper Farm Fishery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Anyone aged 13 or older must possess a valid Environment Agency (EA) Rod Licence before they begin fishing at Upper Farm Fishery. This is a legal requirement across England and Wales, which applies to all rivers, canals, streams, ponds, private land and commercial "pay-to-fish" waters.Please note the following guidelines when planning your session:Licence Type Required: Make sure you purchase the Trout, coarse fish and eel licence.Anglers aged 13–16: Still require an EA licence, but it is completely free to obtain.  Disabled anglers: Require an EA licence, but it is completely free to obtain. Our Rod Limits: Standard day, night, and 24-hour permits allow a maximum of 2 rods per person. While a standard EA licence allows up to 2 rods, please note that only our Annual Season Ticket holders are permitted to fish up to 3 rods (subject to holding the relevant 3-rod EA licence and targeted species rules).  Bailiff Checks: You may be asked by our bailiffs to provide your EA licence number(s) during registration or peg checks, so please ensure you have it with you.
Where to buy: Rod licences are no longer sold at local Post Offices. The quickest way to purchase a 1-day, 8-day, or 12-month licence is online via the official Government website (gov.uk/fishing-licences) or by calling the Environment Agency telesales service on 0344 800 5386.

Question 3

Do I need to book in advance?

Accepted Answer

Advance online booking is preferred, but you can also arrive on the day and buy a permit from the tackle shop or by scanning the QR code on the fishery noticeboard, subject to availability.Any session starting at 8pm must be booked in advance.

Question 4

How many pegs/swims does Upper Farm Fishery have?

Accepted Answer

Upper Farm Fishery has 20 pegs across two connected ponds: Graham's Pond (11 pegs, up to 5 feet deep) and Tony's Pond (9 pegs, up to 6 feet deep). Four pegs on Graham's Pond are doubles that can hold two anglers.

Peg 5 is for exclusive use of guests staying in Sparrowhawk LodgePeg 6 is for exclusive use of guests staying in Kingfisher Lodge.

Question 5

Can I fish overnight?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Night and 24+ hour tickets are available in addition to day tickets. The gate locks automatically at 8:30pm for overnight security and remains locked until 7am. Overnight anglers need to be at the fishery before the gate locks.

Question 6

What are the essential rules I absolutely mustn't break?

Accepted Answer

Four rules are strictly enforced, and breaking any of them can get you removed without a refund:
Barbless hooks only — barbed, micro-barbed and crushed-barb hooks are banned.No braid, of any kind — main line, leader, leadcore, coated or hooklengths. Only mono or fluorocarbon.Landing net required — minimum 45cm diameter and 45cm depth.Unhooking mat required — for all forms of fishing.
We reserve the right to check your tackle at any time. If you're found using braid or a barbed hook, you'll get one chance to buy the right kit from the tackle shop — a repeat breach means immediate removal without a refund.
These are just the headline rules — see our full Fishery Rules for everything else, including bait, conduct, and booking policies.

Question 7

Are keepnets allowed?

Accepted Answer

No. To protect our fish stocks, prevent unnecessary stress, and maintain the highest standards of fish welfare, keepnets are strictly prohibited at Upper Farm Fishery. All fish caught on standard day, twilight, or overnight permits must be unhooked safely on an unhooking mat and returned to the water immediately.

Question 8

What fish are in the lake?

Accepted Answer

The lake is stocked with Common, Crucian, Mirror, Leather and Grass Carp up to mid doubles, plus specimen Roach, Rudd, Perch, Bream, Tench and Chub.

You can see the latest lake records by species here.And the latest catch reports are available here.

Question 9

Is there a tackle shop on site?

Accepted Answer

Yes, an onsite tackle and camping shop run by Trinity Outdoors is open to the general public as well as fishing customers, stocking rods, reels, bait (including live bait) and camping equipment.Tackle Shop Website: https://www.trinityoutdoors.co.uk/

Question 10

Is there parking and a toilet on site?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there's a free car park with space for approximately 20 vehicles and a mains connected unisex toilet with hot and cold running water, both a short walk from the pegs.  There is a drinking water tap located behind the fishery toilet.

Question 11

Can my friends and family watch whilst I'm fishing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we allow a maximum of one non-fishing guest per paying angler. We are happy for a family member or friend to join you on the bank, provided they follow our fishery guidelines to ensure peace and safety around the lake.Daytime Sessions: One non-fishing spectator is permitted free of charge during daylight hours.Overnight Sessions: One non-fishing guest is allowed to stay with you for night or 24-hour sessions, but this is chargeable and must be paid for when booking your permit.Guest Conduct: To avoid disturbing neighboring anglers, your guest must remain at your designated peg. Due to deep water, children must be under constant adult supervision at all times. All visitor cars must remain in the main car park.

Question 12

Can I bring my dog?

Accepted Answer

Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome, subject to a strict limit of one dog per paying angler. We are happy for your companion to join you on the bank, provided they do not disrupt the peace or safety of the fishery.Always on a Lead: Your dog must be kept on a short lead or tethered securely within your designated fishing peg at all times. Roaming free around the lake or lakeside paths is strictly prohibited.No Swimming: Dogs must be kept out of the lake and are not allowed in the water under any circumstances.Clean Up: You must bag and responsibly dispose of all dog waste immediately.Noise & Nuisance: To keep the fishery peaceful and avoid spooking the fish, dogs that bark continuously or show aggression to neighboring pegs cannot stay on site.

Question 13

At what age can my child fish unsupervised?

Accepted Answer

14 and 15-year-olds may fish unsupervised during daylight hours, but only once they've met all of the following:
Fished at Upper Farm Fishery at least twice under direct adult supervision (parent or guardian).Demonstrated competent angling and fish-handling ability to a member of our fishery staff — safe casting, correct playing and landing technique, safe unhooking and handling, and awareness of bank safety.A parent or guardian has met with us in person to complete and sign our Fishery Consent Form — we ask that this happens on-site, typically at the end of a supervised session, rather than by post or email in advance.Please note our age and safety guidelines:Aged 13 and Under: Must be accompanied and directly supervised by a responsible adult (18+) at all times whilst on site. They cannot be left alone at a peg.Rod Licence Required: All junior anglers aged 13 and over are legally required to hold a valid Environment Agency Trout and Coarse Rod Licence — free for 13 to 16-year-olds, but registration is still required online via gov.uk before fishing.No Unsupervised Nights: Unsupervised junior fishing is strictly limited to daylight hours. Under-16s are not permitted to stay for overnight or 24-hour sessions unless a paying adult is sharing the session with them.

Question 14

Is the fishery suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility impairments?

Accepted Answer

We really want fishing at Upper Farm to be something everyone can enjoy, so we'd rather be honest with you than make promises we can't quite keep.

At the moment, a solo visit can be tricky for wheelchair users, as our fishery entrance gate is electrified and can't be operated independently from a wheelchair, and we don't yet have a disabled-accessible toilet on site.

The good news is that Graham's Pond has level pegs that work well for wheelchair access, and guests who bring a friend or family member along with them tend to have a really lovely, relaxed visit. If you let us know your needs in advance, we'll do everything we can to help you plan a great day by the water.

Question 15

Do you sell fishing gift vouchers?

Accepted Answer

Yes — electronic gift vouchers from £20 to £100, valid for 365 days and redeemable against any fishing session at Upper Farm Fishery. They're sent by email and applied automatically when the recipient books online. Note: vouchers can't be used at our onsite tackle shop, which is a separate business.Buy a Gift Voucher →

Question 16

Still have questions?

Accepted Answer

Every fishery has its own particular rules, and ours cover more than we can fit here — booking, bait, conduct, pegs and more. Read our full Fishery Rules before your visit, or get in touch if anything's unclear.

Frequently asked questions