Fishing in North Norfolk

The Broads, north Norfolk inland waterways and the coast provide some fabulous opportunities for those experienced in fishing as well as fishing novices. Just make sure you have the correct licence and permissions in place before you go and that it’s not the coarse fishing or pike closed season. You can see the freshwater rod fishing rules here. See our round up of best places to go fishing in north Norfolk and also see suggestions in the North Norfolk Fishing Guide.

The North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust has spent years working towards restoring the former working canal. The banks and landing jetty at Ebridge Mill provide great spots for anglers. The waterways are used for canoeing and regular trips run by the trust but there are still plenty of quiet places to drop in a line for rudd, roach, pike, tench, perch and bream. The multi-use fishing here is great for beginners as it’s free (with a licence plus by kind permission of the owner). In advance of your visit, make sure you check the rules.

Local lake fishing. There is coarse fishing for bream, carp, tench and roach available at the National Trust Blickling Estate lake where the fishing season runs from June through to March each year. You can also head to the National Trust's Felbrigg Hall lake. Gunthorpe Hall lake is great for fishing for pike, perch, carp and tench. You can fish dawn until dusk by prior arrangement by calling 01263 861373.

Beach fishing is free with a valid fishing licence. Catch bass, tope and cod off-shore from Wells to the shingle bank at Cley and Salthouse beach (good for skate and thornbacks). There’s good night fishing at Weybourne, Sheringham and West Runton to Cromer, plus mackerel in summer. In late Autumn/Winter, expect to see cod, whiting and codling along from Cromer to Overstand, Mundesley and Trimingham. Walcott and Bacton provide good sea fishing all year. See British Sea Fishing. 

River fishing. There are free fishing rivers in Norfolk; and there are four locations along the River Ant – a public staithe at the bottom of Barton Turf village; banks near Ludham Bridge; Stalham Staithe beside Staithe Road, near the A149 and Irstead Staithe near Irstead church.

The River Bure has three locations - South Walsham Broad from Fleet lane South Walsham; Coltishall Common by The Rising Sun pub; Wroxham Broad just before Wroxham sailing club down Avenues Road. The River Hitch runs from North and South Beach in Heacham and there is fishing along all the way down the footpaths. The River Thurne has spots from Martham Ferry, provided you don’t fish from frontages of private property. Check that the bank is free for fishing - some are owned by fisheries and may require a permit or membership.

Beginners' Guide to Angling

Fisheries officer for the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Trust, Tom Webster, gives some top tips for angling novices and the points out the benefits of being outdoors. Download our guide to identify any fish you may catch.

Pick an area away from the commercial lakes and spots where the serious anglers go. The North Walsham and Dilham Canal is perfect as it’s a multi-use area and the experienced anglers tend to avoid it. Ebridge Mill has plenty of parking and a clear bank for learning to cast. You just need a basic rod and reel from your local angling store, plus some bait. You might even be able to pick some older tackle up second hand. Start by fishing with a light set-up with fine line and small hook and fish with maggots to catch some of the smaller fish - roach, rudd and smaller perch.

If you want to try for the bigger perch try a slightly heavier line and hook with a juicy worm. You don’t need to cast out far; just off the bottom near the bank where it’s shallow. Perch will give an obvious bite so youngsters can catch them fairly easily. BUT be careful when removing the hook as their fins are a very spiky. Fishing with youngsters is great with children to get outdoors and it’s a chance to point out some of the other wildlife along rivers, Broads and canals. Expect to see heron, deer, water voles, swans regularly and you might be lucky enough to see an otter or kingfisher.