Fishery guide · Cambridgeshire
Grafham Water
Grafham Water is proper big-water fishing: approximately 1,550 acres with bank-and-boat fly fishing for trout, plus boat-only predator fishing. Pick your quarry before booking — trout and predator fishing cannot be mixed in one boat.
“7.4/10 — Rainbow and brown trout plus three predator species give this large reservoir plenty of fishing appeal.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Grafham Water near Huntingdon is a proper reservoir session, not a little pool where you can cover everything from one peg. At approximately 1,550 acres, there’s plenty of water to get your head around. Rainbow and brown trout are present, alongside pike, perch and zander. The big decision comes before you load the car: are you heading out with trout flies, or planning a dedicated predator trip?
- 1 lake: Grafham Water
- Fish: trout, pike, perch, zander
- Tickets from: trout day permit: eight fish retained plus catch-and-release. — £40
- Find it: Huntingdon · PE28 0BX
Plan your session
Fishery map of Grafham Water
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Photos courtesy of Shaun Ferguson · Wikimedia Commons. See the originals. Catch dates not confirmed.
Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Grafham Water
Grafham Water near Huntingdon is a proper reservoir session, not a little pool where you can cover everything from one peg. At approximately 1,550 acres, there’s plenty of water to get your head around. Rainbow and brown trout are present, alongside pike, perch and zander. The big decision comes before you load the car: are you heading out with trout flies, or planning a dedicated predator trip?
For trout anglers, both bank and boat fly fishing are available. That gives you a straightforward choice between keeping your feet on the bank and adding boat hire to the day. The trout season runs from 7 March 2026 to 31 January 2027. There are permits for taking fish home as well as a sporting catch-and-release option, so choose the ticket that actually matches how you want to fish.
The trout day permits offer either eight fish retained for £40 or four for £34, both with catch-and-release too. The £28 sporting permit is catch-and-release only, and barbless flies are required. There’s also a £34 senior permit allowing six fish retained plus catch-and-release. Accompanied children fish free within the accompanying permit’s rules and limits — a handy option for sharing a day afloat or on the bank without treating that as an extra fish allowance.
Predator fishing is a different setup: it’s boat-only, with a £34 day permit per angler for unlimited catch-and-release and boat hire on top. The dated 2026 predator page lists fly-only fishing from 16 June, lure-and-fly fishing from 1 September, and sea-deadbait fishing from 1 October; all three run to 31 January 2027. Match your approach to those dates rather than turning up with the wrong kit. Every pike, perch and zander must go back alive.
Boat costs need a bit of attention before you press book. Standard hire is £32 for a full day or £25 for a half day, with the split at 14:00. Single-person boats are £20 or £17 respectively. Sunset hire after 18:00 is £17, but evening boats can only be booked on the day and depend on availability. Boats, permits and bank tickets can be booked online; walk-in boat bookings attract a 10% surcharge. A little planning saves some faff and a few quid.
For arrival, use PE28 0BX for the fishing lodge and Mander car park — reservoir coordinates aren’t the lodge location. Lodge hours change through the year, so don’t confuse the counter opening times with your fishing arrangements. Predator anglers also need suitably sized nets, unhooking mats and valid rod licences, and must follow check-clean-dry biosecurity. Livebaiting and trolling under power are prohibited. Get those basics bob on, and you can concentrate on your chosen fishing rather than sorting avoidable problems.
Straight from anglers online
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Grafham Water FAQs
Which postcode should I use?
Use PE28 0BX for the fishing lodge and Mander car park. Reservoir coordinates identify the water, not the lodge.
Is boat hire included in the fishing permit?
No, boat hire is separate. Standard hire is £32 full day or £25 half day; single-person boats cost £20 full day or £17 half day. The half-day split is at 14:00.
Can I book online or get an evening boat?
Boats, permits and bank tickets can be booked online. Evening boats are bookable only on the day, subject to availability; sunset hire after 18:00 costs £17. Walk-in boat bookings incur a 10% surcharge.
Can children fish free?
Yes, accompanied children fish free within the accompanying permit’s rules and limits.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Grafham Water. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Huntingdon.
Do I need to bring food?
We haven't seen any food on site, so bring your own grub and drinks. A flask and a stove (where allowed) make a long day much better.
Are there toilets on site?
Not that we've seen listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
Yes — mander car park. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
PE28 0BX.
How much is a ticket?
trout day permit: eight fish retained plus catch-and-release.: £40; trout day permit: four fish retained plus catch-and-release.: £34; sporting permit: catch-and-release only, barbless flies required.: £28; senior permit: six fish retained plus catch-and-release.: £34; Boat hire is separate: £32 full day or £25 half day, divided at 14:00.; Single-person boats: £20 full day or £17 half day.; Sunset boat hire after 18:00: £17; Walk-in boat bookings: 10% surcharge.; Predator day permit; unlimited catch-and-release, boat hire extra: £34 per angler. Prices last checked 2026-10-03 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Day tickets are available on Grafham Water. Busy weekends can fill up, so ring ahead if you've got your heart set on a swim.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find trout, pike, perch, zander. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
1 — Grafham Water (Approximately 1,550).
Is night fishing allowed?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Can I bring my dog?
Not covered in the rules we've checked. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Are bait boats allowed?
No — Trout and predator fishing cannot be mixed in one boat.
Do I need barbless hooks?
Yes, it's required — The £28 sporting permit is catch-and-release only and requires barbless flies.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.
Is it suitable for disabled anglers?
We haven't seen disabled access listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need a rod licence?
Yes — anyone 13 or over fishing in England and Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence (or Natural Resources Wales in Wales), on top of your fishery ticket.
When's the best time of year to fish here?
Late spring through autumn is prime for most species. Check our live weather edge for this venue before you go — it updates daily.
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Day ticket · turn up
Grafham Water: big-water trout fishing with a dedicated boat-only predator option
- Size
- Approximately 1,550 acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- trout, pike, perch, zander
This is one reservoir, with two distinct fishing choices. Rainbow and brown trout can be targeted with flies from bank or boat, while pike, perch and zander fishing is boat-only. Don’t plan a mixed trout-and-predator boat session — that’s not allowed.
For predators, the calendar matters as much as your tackle. The 2026 dates introduce fly fishing first, then lure-and-fly fishing in September and sea-deadbait fishing in October. All predators must be returned alive, and an unhooking mat and suitably sized net are required.
Lake photographs
A look around Grafham Water
Grafham Water
Grafham Water
We’re checking the fishery’s Grafham Water pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Trout fly anglers wanting a choice of bank or boat fishing
- Predator anglers happy to book a boat and follow seasonal method rules
Maybe not for
- Predator anglers wanting to fish from the bank
- Anyone wanting trout and predator fishing in the same boat
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Grafham Water
trout
Fly fishing for the trout
Stocked lake trout cruise and feed up in the water, so you need to find the depth they're at. Start just under the surface and go deeper if nothing's happening.
- A 9ft 6–7 weight rod with a floating line covers most days; carry an intermediate or sinking line for cold or bright spells.
- Early season and cold days: lures like a Cat's Whisker, Blob or Damsel, pulled back in steady strips.
- Warmer days with fish rising: buzzers, Diawl Bachs or a dry fly fished slowly, or static under an indicator.
- Count your fly down (5, 10, 15 seconds) and change depth till you get a pull — then repeat that count.
- Use 6–8lb fluorocarbon tippet, and check the fishery's rules on catch-and-release, bag limits and barbless hooks before you start.
Venue rule: Bag limits and catch-and-release rules vary a lot on trout waters — ask at the lodge before your first cast.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
perch
Worm or small lure for the perch
Perch hang round cover, boats and drop-offs. A lobworm on a light float, or a small lure worked along the features, will find them.
- Fish lobworm under a float tight to cover.
- On lures, try a small drop shot or soft shad near features.
- Feed chopped worm to keep them in the swim.
zander
Small deadbaits or lures at dusk for zander
Zander hunt in low light and are fussy about resistance, so light, low-resistance rigs and small baits work best.
- Roach or smelt sections on a wire trace with small trebles.
- Use a running rig with a drop-off indicator so they feel nothing.
- On lures, slow soft shads bumped along the bottom at dusk.
Grafham Water FAQs
Can I fly fish for trout from the bank?
Yes. Trout fly fishing is available from both bank and boat, with bank tickets bookable online.
Can I keep a pike, perch or zander?
No. All pike, perch and zander must be returned alive; the predator day permit is unlimited catch-and-release.
What's the lake record on Grafham Water?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Grafham Water that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Grafham Water?
trout, pike, perch, zander.
How big is Grafham Water and how many swims?
Around Approximately 1,550 acres. Big-water trout fishing with a dedicated boat-only predator option.
Which baits work well on Grafham Water?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Grafham Water further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Grafham Water get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Grafham Water?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Grafham Water before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Grafham Water?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Grafham Water on a day ticket?
Yes — Grafham Water is on the day ticket. Tickets: trout day permit: eight fish retained plus catch-and-release. £40; trout day permit: four fish retained plus catch-and-release. £34; sporting permit: catch-and-release only, barbless flies required. £28; senior permit: six fish retained plus catch-and-release. £34; Boat hire is separate £32 full day or £25 half day, divided at 14:00.; Single-person boats £20 full day or £17 half day.; Sunset boat hire after 18:00 £17; Walk-in boat bookings 10% surcharge.; Predator day permit; unlimited catch-and-release, boat hire extra £34 per angler (last checked 2026-10-03).
Is night fishing allowed on Grafham Water?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Grafham Water suit?
Good for: Trout fly anglers wanting a choice of bank or boat fishing; Predator anglers happy to book a boat and follow seasonal method rules. Less suited to: Predator anglers wanting to fish from the bank; Anyone wanting trout and predator fishing in the same boat.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Venue Rule Checker
- No
Can trout and predator fishing be mixed in one boat?
Trout and predator fishing cannot be mixed in one boat.
- Must
Must predator anglers fish from a boat?
Predator fishing at Grafham is boat-only.
- Seasonal
Are predator methods seasonal?
The dated 2026 page lists fly-only fishing from 16 June 2026–31 January 2027, lure-and-fly fishing from 1 September 2026–31 January 2027, and sea-deadbait fishing from 1 October 2026–31 January 2027.
- Must
Must all predators be returned alive?
All pike, perch and zander must be returned alive.
- No
Are livebaiting and trolling under power allowed?
Both methods are prohibited under the predator rules.
- Must
Must predator anglers carry fish-care equipment?
Carry an unhooking mat and a suitably sized net.
- Must
Do predator rules require rod licences and biosecurity?
Valid rod licences and check-clean-dry biosecurity are required.
- Must
Are barbless flies compulsory on the sporting trout permit?
The £28 sporting permit is catch-and-release only and requires barbless flies.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 3 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Tips & guides worth reading
How we'd fish each lake
Our own suggestions, worked out from each lake's features, its main fish and the venue rules. They're tried-and-tested methods, not reports from this venue, so watch the water and ask in the tackle shop on the day.
Grafham Water
trout
Fly fishing for the trout
Stocked lake trout cruise and feed up in the water, so you need to find the depth they're at. Start just under the surface and go deeper if nothing's happening.
- A 9ft 6–7 weight rod with a floating line covers most days; carry an intermediate or sinking line for cold or bright spells.
- Early season and cold days: lures like a Cat's Whisker, Blob or Damsel, pulled back in steady strips.
- Warmer days with fish rising: buzzers, Diawl Bachs or a dry fly fished slowly, or static under an indicator.
- Count your fly down (5, 10, 15 seconds) and change depth till you get a pull — then repeat that count.
- Use 6–8lb fluorocarbon tippet, and check the fishery's rules on catch-and-release, bag limits and barbless hooks before you start.
Venue rule: Bag limits and catch-and-release rules vary a lot on trout waters — ask at the lodge before your first cast.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
perch
Worm or small lure for the perch
Perch hang round cover, boats and drop-offs. A lobworm on a light float, or a small lure worked along the features, will find them.
- Fish lobworm under a float tight to cover.
- On lures, try a small drop shot or soft shad near features.
- Feed chopped worm to keep them in the swim.
zander
Small deadbaits or lures at dusk for zander
Zander hunt in low light and are fussy about resistance, so light, low-resistance rigs and small baits work best.
- Roach or smelt sections on a wire trace with small trebles.
- Use a running rig with a drop-off indicator so they feel nothing.
- On lures, slow soft shads bumped along the bottom at dusk.
Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.
Videos linked by the fishery
What anglers reckon
7.4/10 from Tackle Index: Rainbow and brown trout plus three predator species give this large reservoir plenty of fishing appeal.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “Grafham Water is proper big-water fishing: approximately 1,550 acres with bank-and-boat fly fishing for trout, plus boat-only predator fishing. Pick your quarry before booking — trout and predator fishing cannot be mixed in one boat.”
This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.
Angler score
What our readers rate Grafham Water
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