Fishery guide · Lancashire
Stocks Reservoir
Stocks Reservoir is a proper big-water fly venue near Slaidburn, with approximately 350 acres and trout as the main quarry. Current PAAS arrangements are bank-only, catch-and-release, with a non-member season ticket available.
“6.7/10 — Seasonal rainbow stocking, resident fish and perch give bank fly anglers a solid specialist offering.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Fancy a proper reservoir rather than a little pool? Stocks gives you approximately 350 acres at the head of the Hodder Valley, near Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland. The listed address is Catlow Road, Slaidburn, BB7 3AQ.
- 1 lake: Stocks Reservoir
- Fish: trout, perch
- Tickets from: Non-member season ticket for reservoir bank fishing — £80
- Find it: Clitheroe · BB7 3AQ
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Fishery map of Stocks Reservoir
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Fishery
Stocks Reservoir
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Which lake suits you?
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The full rundown on Stocks Reservoir
Fancy a proper reservoir rather than a little pool? Stocks gives you approximately 350 acres at the head of the Hodder Valley, near Slaidburn in the Forest of Bowland. The listed address is Catlow Road, Slaidburn, BB7 3AQ. It’s a big-water option for fly anglers around Clitheroe, but the important bit is how fishing works now: Prince Albert Angling Society publishes the current arrangements, and those are firmly about fishing from the bank.
Trout are the main draw, with rainbow trout stocked during the season and resident fish also present. Perch can be targeted too, which adds another angle to the fishing. There’s a catch, though: fly fishing is the only permitted method for both. So this isn’t somewhere to pack a float rod or switch to spinning when you fancy a change. Keep the tackle plan fly-focused, whether you’re after trout or having a go for perch.
The bank-only rule is worth getting straight before you sort your trip. Boats aren’t permitted under the published PAAS arrangements, and neither are float tubes. Older publicity mentioned boat hire, a tackle shop and an 8am opening, but that isn’t the guide to use for today’s fishing. Think bank session, not a boat booking. With a reservoir this size, it’s also worth keeping the overall acreage separate from any assumptions about how much bank you can actually fish.
The season runs from 25 March to 31 October inclusive, with fishing from dawn until dusk. That gives you a clear seasonal window, but no overnight sessions. Fish care is straightforward and non-negotiable: use barbless or de-barbed hooks, and return every trout and perch unharmed. Sort your hooks before setting off and have your release routine in mind. This is catch-and-release fishing, not a venue for taking a couple of trout home for tea.
Access is through the published season-ticket arrangements rather than a confirmed turn-up-and-pay day ticket. The non-member bank-fishing season ticket is £80, while the under-16 price is £25 and includes full PAAS membership. PAAS has an online non-member application form where you select the water and provide contact details and your date of birth. If you’re weighing up repeat trips, that season-ticket setup is the key thing to consider, rather than looking for a daily peg price.
For the brew-and-break side of things, nearby Gisburn Forest Hub has toilets and a café. There are picnic areas there and near School Lane car park, plus a bird hide near the car park. Handy extras, but don’t mistake nearby facilities for services beside your chosen swim. One final navigation detail saves a bit of faff: the fishing-lodge waypoint identifies the lodge, not the reservoir centre. Overall, Stocks suits anglers wanting bank fly fishing on a substantial Bowland reservoir.
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.
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Stocks Reservoir FAQs
Where is Stocks Reservoir?
Near Slaidburn, Clitheroe, in the Forest of Bowland. The listed fishery address is Catlow Road, Slaidburn, BB7 3AQ. The fishing-lodge waypoint marks the lodge rather than the reservoir centre.
How do non-members arrange fishing?
PAAS offers an online non-member season-ticket application. Select the water and supply your contact details and date of birth. The reservoir bank-fishing season ticket costs £80.
Is there a junior price?
Yes. The under-16 price is £25 and includes full PAAS membership.
Are there toilets and somewhere for a brew?
Nearby Gisburn Forest Hub has toilets and a café. Picnic areas are available there and near School Lane car park.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Stocks Reservoir. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Clitheroe.
Do I need to bring food?
There's café at gisburn forest hub listed, but opening times vary, so pack snacks and plenty of water just in case — especially on a long session.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
Yes — picnic areas near school lane car park and at gisburn forest hub. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
BB7 3AQ.
How much is a ticket?
Non-member season ticket for reservoir bank fishing: £80; Under-16 price, including full PAAS membership: £25. 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?
Some lakes need booking ahead. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find trout, perch. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
1 — Stocks Reservoir (Approximately 350).
Is night fishing allowed?
No — Fishing is restricted to dawn until dusk.
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 — Only barbless or de-barbed hooks may be used.
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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Pre-book only
Stocks Reservoir: big bowland water, bank-only fly fishing
- Size
- Approximately 350 acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- trout, perch
Stocks is one substantial reservoir at the head of the Hodder Valley. Trout are the principal quarry, with seasonal rainbow stocking and resident fish present. Perch offer an alternative target, but the fly-only rule applies to them as well.
The setup is clear: fish from the bank, leave boats and float tubes out of the plan, and return all trout and perch unharmed. Access is listed here as prebook because PAAS provides a season-ticket application route; this isn’t a confirmed casual day-ticket option.
Rainbow trout are stocked during the season; the reservoir also holds resident fish.
Lake photographs
A look around Stocks Reservoir
Stocks Reservoir
Stocks Reservoir
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Suits
- Fly anglers wanting a large reservoir to fish from the bank
- Repeat visitors considering a non-member season ticket
Maybe not for
- Anglers wanting boats, float tubes or methods other than fly fishing
- Anyone wanting night fishing or trout to take home
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Stocks Reservoir
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.
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.
Stocks Reservoir FAQs
Can I target perch at Stocks?
Yes, but only by fly fishing. All perch must be returned unharmed.
Can I fish from a boat or float tube?
No. Current PAAS arrangements are strictly bank-only, with boats and float tubes prohibited.
What's the lake record on Stocks Reservoir?
Going by what the fishery says: Rainbow trout are stocked during the season; the reservoir also holds resident fish. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Stocks Reservoir?
trout, perch. Rainbow trout are stocked during the season; the reservoir also holds resident fish.
How big is Stocks Reservoir and how many swims?
Around Approximately 350 acres. Big Bowland water, bank-only fly fishing.
Which baits work well on Stocks Reservoir?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Stocks Reservoir 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: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Stocks Reservoir get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Stocks Reservoir?
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 Stocks Reservoir before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Stocks Reservoir?
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 Stocks Reservoir on a day ticket?
You'll need to book Stocks Reservoir in advance rather than just turning up.
Is night fishing allowed on Stocks Reservoir?
No — Fishing is restricted to dawn until dusk.
Who does Stocks Reservoir suit?
Good for: Fly anglers wanting a large reservoir to fish from the bank; Repeat visitors considering a non-member season ticket. Less suited to: Anglers wanting boats, float tubes or methods other than fly fishing; Anyone wanting night fishing or trout to take home.
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
- Must
Is fly fishing the only permitted method?
Fly fishing only, including when targeting perch.
- Must
Must fishing be from the bank?
Fishing is strictly from the bank; boats and float tubes are prohibited.
- Must
Must hooks be barbless or de-barbed?
Only barbless or de-barbed hooks may be used.
- Must
Must all trout and perch be released?
All trout and perch must be returned unharmed.
- No
Is night fishing allowed?
Fishing is restricted to dawn until dusk.
- Seasonal
Is fishing seasonal?
The fishing season runs from 25 March to 31 October inclusive.
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.
Stocks Reservoir
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.
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.
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
6.7/10 from Tackle Index: Seasonal rainbow stocking, resident fish and perch give bank fly anglers a solid specialist offering.
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 — “Stocks Reservoir is a proper big-water fly venue near Slaidburn, with approximately 350 acres and trout as the main quarry. Current PAAS arrangements are bank-only, catch-and-release, with a non-member season ticket available.”
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 Stocks Reservoir
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