Walsall Angling Association Waters

Fancy a straightforward day on the bank without a load of faff? Walsall Arboretum is near Walsall town centre, with the fishing waters centred on Hatherton Lake. It’s listed as a mixed coarse fishery, making it a handy-looking option for a local session rather than a full-on trek into the sticks.

• 1 lake: Hatherton Lake
• Fish: carp, roach, perch, bream, pike
• Tickets from: Adult day permit — £5
• Find it: Walsall · WS1 2AB

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

Fancy a straightforward day on the bank without a load of faff? Walsall Arboretum is near Walsall town centre, with the fishing waters centred on Hatherton Lake. It’s listed as a mixed coarse fishery, making it a handy-looking option for a local session rather than a full-on trek into the sticks. There’s car parking, toilets and listed disabled access too, which all helps when you’re planning a proper day out or just squeezing in a few hours.

Hatherton Lake is the principal water named for the fishery. Historic descriptions also mention a smaller lake to the north, but the fishery listing names one water, so it’s best to plan around Hatherton Lake rather than expecting a sprawling complex with loads of separate lakes and pegs. On a first visit, have a wander before tackling up if you can. Look for comfortable access, likely fish-holding features and a swim where you can fish without getting in the way of park users.

There’s a decent mix of species reported here, with carp, roach, perch, bream and pike all on the list. That opens up a few different approaches. A light float setup could be the ticket when you fancy roach, perch or bream, while a more patient plan may suit anyone hoping for carp. Pike are also present, so check the current rules and any tackle requirements before you head down if that’s your target. A sensible bait selection and a couple of backup rigs should cover most eventualities without filling the car with every bit of kit you own.

A £5 adult day permit is reportedly bought on the bank before fishing, and Walsall Council lists £5 day tickets for its local fishing sites, including Walsall Arboretum Lake. You’ll also need an Environment Agency rod licence. There’s no online booking system listed, so it looks like a simple turn-up-and-sort-your-ticket kind of session. Still, it’s worth checking the current arrangements before travelling, especially if you’re making a special trip or planning around a particular day.

The big rule is catch and release. Every fish must be returned to the water, so bring suitable unhooking kit and handle everything carefully. Anglers must also remove litter, damaged tackle and unused bait. That’s especially important on a park water, where keeping the swim tidy protects the fishery and makes things bob on for everyone. Be considerate to park users and local residents as well. Keep bankside clutter under control and give people space when they’re passing.

Fishing is reported as available year-round, subject to seasonal restrictions, but official opening hours and closed-season dates aren’t published. No night-fishing permission is listed either, so treat it as a daytime venue unless the association confirms something different. Pack a tidy, versatile setup, check the latest restrictions before setting off and be ready to adapt once you’ve seen the water. For a fiver, Walsall Arboretum could suit anglers after an accessible mixed coarse session close to town, with enough species to keep the day interesting.

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 — “Walsall Angling Association’s waters at Walsall Arboretum centre on Hatherton Lake, a mixed coarse venue near Walsall town centre. It’s a £5 adult day-ticket fishery with carp, roach, perch, bream and pike reported, plus catch-and-release rules.”

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.