Scenic UK carp lake at dawn

Fishery guide · Hertfordshire

Redbournbury Fishery

Redbournbury offers mixed coarse fishing, trout and advertised pike fishing near St Albans, with no membership needed for day tickets. There’s a fair bit to clear up before loading the car, though: current prices, booking arrangements and predator rules all need a call.

“5.9/10 — The listed coarse species, rainbow trout and advertised pike fishing offer appeal, but catch quality and fish sizes aren't established.”

Tackle Index scorecard

Leave your reviewRun this fishery? Claim it

The lowdown

Redbournbury Fishery sits on Beesonend Lane, Redbournbury, near St Albans in Hertfordshire. If you fancy mixed coarse fishing rather than making every session about carp, it’s worth a look. The listed species give you plenty to think about, while trout and advertised pike fishing add other options. We haven’t fished it, so this isn’t a tale of getting bagged up on a favourite peg.

  • 3 lakes: Coarse Lake, Trout Lake, Pike Lake
  • Fish: carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, barbel, pike
  • Tickets from: Coarse ticket, one or two rods — undated directory price, not verified as current — £10
  • Find it: St Albans · AL3 6RS

Plan your session

Fishery map of Redbournbury Fishery

Pick a pin or venue to see live bank-side conditions.

Live at the lake

Redbournbury Fishery

St Albans · AL3 6RS

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

Which lake suits you?

Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.

The full rundown on Redbournbury Fishery

Redbournbury Fishery sits on Beesonend Lane, Redbournbury, near St Albans in Hertfordshire. If you fancy mixed coarse fishing rather than making every session about carp, it’s worth a look. The listed species give you plenty to think about, while trout and advertised pike fishing add other options. We haven’t fished it, so this isn’t a tale of getting bagged up on a favourite peg. It’s a straight guide to what’s advertised and what needs checking before you go.

First up, the lake layout needs a little untangling. The venue’s website describes three lakes: coarse, trout and pike. Other listings describe two lakes plus fishing on the River Ver, and that difference hasn’t been cleared up. We’ve kept the three named lakes below rather than pretending the descriptions agree. Lake sizes aren’t published either, so there’s no honest acreage to give you or basis for calling any of them a big-water venue.

The coarse fishing has the broadest listed species mix: carp, roach, rudd, perch, chub, bream, barbel and tench. That’s a cracking spread on paper, but it doesn’t tell us how heavily stocked the lake is or what size fish to expect. There are no checked swim descriptions or feature details here, either. Promising a margin full of lumps, a banker island chuck or an easy PB would be getting well ahead of ourselves.

For trout anglers, the local community listing identifies rainbow trout in the trout lake and wild brown trout in the River Ver. An older directory says a trout-lake ticket is needed for river access, with a river season of April 1–September 30. Treat both as things to confirm. The website’s strict catch-and-release policy also clashes with older trout tickets allowing retained fish. Don’t buy a ticket expecting to take your tea home without sorting that out first.

Getting on the bank should be fairly straightforward once you’ve spoken to the fishery. Its website says day tickets need no membership, but gives mixed messages about whether you can simply turn up or should book. Night fishing is advertised and does need advance booking. Exact opening hours aren’t published on the checked homepage; a community listing says times can suit customers by prior arrangement. A quick call is the sensible move, especially for an early start or overnight session.

Money and tackle are the final bits to get bob on. Older directory prices are included below, clearly marked as unconfirmed, because the venue website gives no numerical charges. Barbless hooks are required, and carp anglers must have an unhooking mat and sling. Pike anglers need an extra conversation: current advertising offers pike fishing, while an older rules listing bans predator methods. Confirm the permitted approach before packing your gear. There’s variety here, but a little homework should save a wasted journey and plenty of faff.

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.

Redbournbury Fishery FAQs

Where is Redbournbury Fishery?

On Beesonend Lane, Redbournbury, near St Albans in Hertfordshire.

How many lakes are there?

The venue website describes coarse, trout and pike lakes. Other listings describe two lakes plus River Ver fishing; the difference remains unresolved.

What does a ticket cost now?

Contact the fishery for current charges. The prices shown here are undated directory figures, not confirmed current rates.

Can under-16s fish free?

An undated directory advertises free fishing for under-16s accompanied by a paying adult. Check that the offer still applies before travelling.

Where's the nearest tackle shop?

We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Redbournbury Fishery. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near St Albans.

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?

The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off. Bring a barrow in case it's a walk.

What's the postcode for the sat nav?

AL3 6RS.

How much is a ticket?

Coarse ticket, one or two rods — undated directory price, not verified as current: £10; Coarse concession — undated directory price; eligibility unspecified: £7; Trout catch-and-release — undated directory price, confirm current charge: £15; Trout with one retained fish — undated; conflicts with website catch-and-release policy: £20; Trout with two retained fish — undated; conflicts with website catch-and-release policy: £27. Prices last checked 2026-10-02 — they can change, so check before you go.

Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?

Day tickets are available on Coarse Lake, Trout Lake, Pike Lake. 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 carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, barbel, pike. See each lake tab for which fish live where.

Is night fishing allowed?

Yes — Night fishing is advertised, with advance booking required.

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?

We haven't seen a bait-boat rule listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.

Do I need barbless hooks?

Yes, it's required — The venue website requires barbless hooks.

Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?

Yes, it's required — Unhooking mats and slings are mandatory for carp.

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.

Anglers' photos

Been to Redbournbury Fishery? Share a snap

No angler photos yet. Be the first!

Only add photos you took yourself. Every photo gets an automatic check for anything rude, spammy or off-topic. If it passes, it goes up straight away.