County Durham
Balderhead Reservoir
From March · £10 Season 22 Mar to 30 Sept
Day tickets
Buy a ticket for a single day, with rates and dates further down.
Stillwater
Bank fishing only.
About Balderhead Reservoir
Balderhead Reservoir is a wild brown trout reservoir in Baldersdale, near Barnard Castle. Waterside Parks describes it as one of four of the best wild brown trout fisheries in the UK for any method. The trout are native fish, descended from the upland brownies that lived in the streams before the dams were built, and the fishery says there is no best place to fish, so keep moving.
The car park is on the north east side of the reservoir, about 4.5 miles from Romaldkirk by the Balderhead road through Hunderthwaite.
The 2026 season runs from 22 March to 30 September. A day permit is £10 (£8 concessions) with a catch limit of 12 fish a visit, and up to two children under 17 fish free with a paying parent or guardian. The £105 Fantastic Four season permit also covers Blackton, Selset and Cow Green. Permits are booked online, at the Grassholme visitor centre or by phone. The sat nav postcode is DL12 9UX.
How you can fish here
- Methods
- Any Method
Pricing and season
Indicative prices. They don't show whether a day is still free and other rates may apply, so confirm availability and the final price with whoever you book through before you travel.
Tickets
Day tickets
- Wild brown trout day permit Day ticket · 22 Mar to 30 Sep 2026 price. Concessions £8. Catch limit 12 fish a visit. Up to two children under 17 fish free when one parent or guardian buys a standard day permit.
- £10 per day
Season and syndicate rods
- Fantastic Four season permit Season rod · 22 Mar to 30 Sep 2026 price. The Fantastic Four season permit covers Balderhead, Blackton, Selset and Cow Green as often as you like. It is sold at the Grassholme visitor centre or by phone from 20 March, and no concession rate is listed.
- £105 per season
Day tickets and booking
- WP Waterside Parks Day tickets
Day tickets
Day permits are booked on Bookwhen, at the Grassholme visitor centre (+44 1833 641121) or by phone. Card payment in advance by phone.
View fishing agent
Prices by date
Fishing details
- Water type
- Stillwater
- Lake
- 1
- Boat fishing
- Bank only
Stocking and fish species
Rules and policies
Fishing rules for Balderhead Reservoir
Wild brown trout, any method. Catch limit 12 fish a visit. Do not enter the water for any reason, and no swimming or water sports. Follow the Check, Clean, Dry procedure. You need an Environment Agency rod licence, bought online at gov.uk before you fish. Up to two children under 17 fish free when one parent or guardian buys a standard day permit.
Where you'll fish
Location
Approximate locationExact location is hidden at the owner's request..
FishingBeats is an independent guide with no affiliation to the fisheries we list. Listings are editorial and unpaid, and are not supplied or approved by the fishery. See our listings policy. Listing details are compiled by FishingBeats and may change or contain mistakes. Some services, such as tuition, ghillies, or accommodation, may only apply to certain packages and not to standard day tickets. Always confirm pricing, fishing details, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.
FAQ
Balderhead Reservoir FAQs
Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Balderhead Reservoir, from tickets to tactics.
01How many rods are allowed on Balderhead Reservoir at any one time?
02What species can I expect to catch on Balderhead Reservoir?
03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?
04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?
05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?
06What tackle should I bring?
07What happens if conditions are poor on the day I've booked?
08Are dogs allowed on the beat?
Worth a read
£10 per rod
Out of season, from March
