There are places to fish in Barnsley to suit anglers of all ages and abilities, and with varying fishing skills and techniques. Whether you like to fish in a reservoir or commercial water, canal or river, an urban site or somewhere more remote, there will be water in Barnsley that appeals to you.

Where you can fish

You can fish at the following locations in the borough:

• Athersley Memorial Lake
• Bolton Brickyard Ponds
• Dearne Valley Park
• Elsecar Reservoir
• Milton Ponds
• Netherwood Park
• Royston Canal
• Smithies Reservoir
• Thurnscoe Reservoir
• Worsbrough Canal
• Worsbrough Reservoir

You can’t fish at night on any of the sites unless the club holding the fishing rights gives you written permission.

The fishing rights on some rivers and other waters are privately owned and you’re not allowed to fish there unless you get permission from the owner. Fishing tackle shops also have lots of knowledge about the local waters and can give you advice on where to fish. 

Fish you might catch

You can expect to catch a wide variety of fish in our waters including:

• perch, roach and rudd from smaller ponds and canals
• bream, tench and carp from larger waters and commercial fisheries
• chub, pike and barbel from rivers

Any fish you catch should be returned to the water safely and quickly to prevent distress.

You can ask at the site about which methods and techniques work best on the waters you intend to fish.

Before you go fishing

Adults and children over the age of 12 must have a rod fishing licence. You can get one of these in a post office or online at GOV.UK. You can buy a rod licence for one day, eight days or a full season. A full season licence expires on 31 March no matter what date you buy it.

Children under 12 don’t need a licence, but may be asked for proof of their age.

As well as a licence, you must buy a day ticket or a season ticket for each water you fish.

Day charges

Charges for the different water areas are set by the fishing clubs and will vary depending on where you want to fish. They usually range between £1.50 and £6 a day. Some clubs also sell season tickets which may be used at other waters also run by that club.