Rudyard Lake

Rudyard Lake is a proper big bit of water near Leek. Around 168 acres, over 2.5 miles long and built way back in 1797, it’s a reservoir with plenty of room to spread out. The lake sits roughly 2 miles north of Leek, Staffordshire, and the walk around it is approximately 5.5 miles. So, definitely more “plan the day” than “nip round a tiny pool”.

• 1 lake: Rudyard Lake
• Fish: bream, roach, carp, perch, pike
• Tickets from: Day ticket: two rods, 08:30-17:30 — £7.50
• Find it: Leek · ST13 8XB

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

Rudyard Lake is a proper big bit of water near Leek. Around 168 acres, over 2.5 miles long and built way back in 1797, it’s a reservoir with plenty of room to spread out. The lake sits roughly 2 miles north of Leek, Staffordshire, and the walk around it is approximately 5.5 miles. So, definitely more “plan the day” than “nip round a tiny pool”.

The eastern shoreline has approximately 140 marked fishing pegs, giving bank anglers a fair few options. Reserved pegs are marked with notices, and organised matches are held occasionally, so it’s worth checking what’s going on before you load the barrow. On a new venue this size, a quick word with the Ranger or fishery team can save a lot of faff. Ask which areas are available, whether any pegs are reserved and what’s been fishing well lately.

The fishery lists bream, roach, carp, perch and pike. That’s a handy mix for a general coarse session, whether you fancy building a net of roach and perch or settling in for bream and carp. The key thing to remember is that pike fishing is currently prohibited. Keep the approach sensible for a large reservoir: bring a few options, watch the water for signs of fish and don’t be afraid to adjust if the first swim isn’t doing it.

Bank fishing is available all year, with no close season, from dawn until dusk. The £7.50 day ticket covers two rods from 08:30 to 17:30, while the £12.50 ticket covers four rods over the same hours. Under-16s can fish two rods for £5.00. Day tickets are sold through the fishery website, so it’s worth sorting that before setting off. You’ll also need a valid Environment Agency rod licence.

Boat fishing is available too. The £5.00 boat-fishing ticket covers fishing from your own boat from 08:30 to 17:00, while a hired electric boat costs £30 per day. Own boats may be launched subject to availability and the relevant launch fee. Only electric motors are permitted, boats must be no more than 22 feet long, and anyone on the water needs a life jacket or buoyancy aid. Night fishing is only allowed by prior arrangement with the Ranger, so that’s one to get nailed down in advance.

There’s useful kit around Dam Head, with public toilets and changing rooms available from 09:00 to 17:00, plus a lakeside cafe typically open from 10:00 to 16:00. Dam Head car parking costs £5 per day and closes at 17:30, while North End and Rudyard Station offer free parking. Swimming isn’t allowed, and the lake is also used for boating, canoeing, paddleboarding and sailing, so keep your eyes peeled around the water. For a smooth session, pack for a full day, check the access details, bring a couple of tactics and have a cheeky brew when the cafe’s open.

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

• Our read

  Checked Sept '26 — “Rudyard Lake is a huge, year-round Staffordshire reservoir with plenty of marked bank pegs, boat options and a proper mix of coarse species. Pike fishing is currently prohibited, and night fishing needs prior arrangement with the Ranger.”

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.