Bristol Water Fisheries

Chew Valley Lake

stillwater

Chew Valley Lake is a fishing beat on the water at Bristol Water Fisheries. Day tickets from £30.

Pricing and season

Indicative prices only. This calendar does not show whether a beat is bookable or already booked out, and other prices may apply. Always confirm availability and the final price with the booking provider before you travel.

Price calendar

October 2026

1£30

2£30

3£30

4£30

5£30

6£30

7£30

8£30

9£30

10£30

11£30

12£30

13£30

14£30

November 2026

Day tickets

2 fishBank, All Waters Sporting/C+R (2 fish)

5 Mar – 14 Oct

£30

per day

Per person. Barbless flies only. Catch and release is allowed until you take your limit. Concession £28. Winter prices apply after 14 October. Valid at Chew Valley Lake, Blagdon Lake and Barrow Tanks.

4 fishBank, All Waters Half day (4 fish)

5 Mar – 14 Oct

£30

per ½ day

Per person. Catch and release is allowed until you take your limit. Junior ticket £18. Winter prices apply after 14 October. Valid at Chew Valley Lake, Blagdon Lake and Barrow Tanks.

8 fishBank, All Waters Full (8 fish)

5 Mar – 14 Oct

£36

per day

Per person. Catch and release is allowed until you take your limit. Concession £34. Winter prices apply after 14 October. Valid at Chew Valley Lake, Blagdon Lake and Barrow Tanks.

4 fishBoat, Half day (4 fish)

5 Mar – 14 Oct

£42

per ½ day

Per person, boat and permit. Chew boats go out with an engine, fuel included. Catch and release is allowed until you take your limit. Junior ticket £25. Winter prices apply after 14 October.

2 fishBoat, Sporting/C+R (2 fish)

5 Mar – 14 Oct

£55

per day

Per person, boat and permit. Barbless flies only. Chew boats go out with an engine, fuel included. Catch and release is allowed until you take your limit. Concession £53. Winter prices apply after 14 October.

8 fishBoat, Full (8 fish)

5 Mar – 14 Oct

£62

per day

Per person, boat and permit. Chew boats go out with an engine, fuel included. Catch and release is allowed until you take your limit. Concession £60. Winter prices apply after 14 October.

Season & syndicate rods

300 fishSeason ticket, All Waters Full (300 fish)

25 Feb – 30 Nov

£1100

per season

Per person, 300 fish over the season. Valid at Chew Valley Lake, Blagdon Lake and Barrow Tanks. Concession £1,035. Other season tickets are sold too: five day Mon to Fri (225 fish) £890, weekend (125 fish) £470, monthly (50 fish) £210, junior (100 fish) £300, and lower limit tickets (200 or 125 fish) from £755. Season ticket holders get money off boat permits.

Fishing details

Chew Valley Lake at a glance

Rods: –
Difficulty: –
Length: –
Water type: stillwater

Fishing methods

Fly Only

Fly methods

Dry Fly Emerger Nymph Streamer

Wading allowed

Bank fishing only

Double bank

Chew Valley Lake is a large, fairly shallow reservoir near Chew Stoke, opened in 1956. The upper River Chew enters at Herriots End, and the deepest water is by the dam. It is a fly fishing water, stocked with rainbow trout, and the lake records are 22lb 7oz for a brown trout and 14lb 9oz for a rainbow.

Both boat and bank fishing are sold here. Boats come with an engine, and bank anglers fish from spots around the shore including Walley Bank, North Shore and Herriots End. Woodford Lodge runs the tackle shop, with more than 400 fly patterns, and is where to ask about boats.

A full ticket lets you take eight fish, a half day four, and a cheaper Sporting ticket two fish on barbless flies. An All Waters season ticket covers Chew, Blagdon and Barrow Tanks together.

Stocking and fish species

none stocking · Stocked with rainbow trout reared at Bristol Water’s own fish farm at Ubley.

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rules and policies

Catch & release

EA rod licence required

Dogs allowed

Ghillie available

Ghillie required

Season: 5 Mar to 30 Nov

Fishing rules for Chew Valley Lake

Fly fishing for trout. Barbless flies only on the Sporting ticket. All brown trout must be returned after 14 October.

Where Chew Valley Lake is

Exact location is hidden at the owner's request. at Bristol Water Fisheries.

Approximate location

The fishery and river

Fishery

Bristol Water Fisheries

from £21 for 4 fish 3 beats

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

Chew Valley Lake FAQs

Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Chew Valley Lake, from tickets to tactics.

01How many rods are allowed on Chew Valley Lake at any one time?

The rod limit for Chew Valley Lake is listed on the beat page — check before booking, as limits vary by season and fishery preference. Contact Bristol Water Fisheries directly if you need to confirm current availability.

02What species can I expect to catch on Chew Valley Lake?

Chew Valley Lake holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.

03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?

Wading is permitted on Chew Valley Lake, though bank fishing is also possible on most sections.

04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?

No ghillie service is listed for Chew Valley Lake at Bristol Water Fisheries — contact the provider directly if you'd like informal guidance on your first visit.

05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?

Parking details for Chew Valley Lake are shown on the beat page, including a map pin where one is provided. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.

06What tackle should I bring?

Chew Valley Lake permits the following fly methods: dry_fly, emerger, nymph, streamer. The fly recommendations section on the Chew Valley Lake page suggests the most effective patterns month by month.

07What happens if conditions are poor on the day I've booked?

River conditions can change quickly, especially after rain. Contact the provider as early as possible if you're concerned about Chew Valley Lake at Bristol Water Fisheries — many are happy to offer an alternative date if the river is unfishable. Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary by provider; check the notes on the booking page or ask when you book.

08Are dogs allowed on the beat?

Dogs are not listed as permitted on Chew Valley Lake. Check the Beat Rules section on the page or contact the provider before bringing a dog, as policies can vary by season and stretch of the .