🇬🇧 Fishing in Windermere

England's largest lake — pike, perch and Arctic char in the Lake District

Windermere is England's largest lake by surface area and one of the most-visited waters in the Lake District. It holds big pike, plenty of perch, and its own native Arctic char population. Popular for both boat fishing and shore fishing around its many bays.

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Weather at Windermere

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Best fishing times today

Day length: 14h 36m

Dawn04:18

Sunrise04:58

Sunset19:34

Dusk20:14

Bite windows today

Dawn03:48 – 05:58Excellent
Morning05:58 – 12:16Good
Midday12:16 – 16:34Calm
Afternoon16:34 – 18:34Good
Dusk18:34 – 20:44Excellent
Night20:44 – 03:48Good

Moon: 51% · waxing↑ 15:02

Area

14.7 km²

Region

England — Lake District

Geography & facts

Windermere sits in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, north-west England. At around 17 km long and roughly 14.7 km², it's England's (though not the UK's) largest natural lake.

How to fish

Pike fishing by trolling or large lures works year-round, best in autumn and winter. Perch are often taken on jigs or worm near reeds and jetties. Arctic char are fished at depth, mainly in early spring and late autumn.

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Fish species

Pike Perch Arctic char Brown trout

Gear & tips for pike

Rod

Spinning rod 2.4–2.7 m, casting weight 20–60 g (BFS for smaller lures, XH for trophy pike 40–120 g)

Westin W3 Powerlure

Abu Garcia Veritas

Shimano Beastmaster

St. Croix Mojo Bass

13 Fishing Omen Black

Savage Gear MPP2

Reel

Spinning reel 3000–5000 or a baitcaster (200-size)

Shimano Stradic 4000

Daiwa BG 4000

Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast (baitcast)

Shimano Curado DC

Mainline

Braid 0.20–0.35 mm (30–50 lb)

Leader

Wire leader 30–40 lb or fluorocarbon 0.70–1.0 mm (40–80 lb), 40–80 cm

Hook

Trebles #2 to 4/0, single hooks 3/0–6/0 for jerkbaits

Weight

Jig head 15–60 g

Lures / bait

Large soft-plastic shads 12–25 cm (Savage Gear 4Play, Westin Shad Teez, Strike Pro Pig Shad, Headbanger Shad)
Jerkbaits (Westin Swim, Savage Gear 3D Roach Jerkster, Strike Pro Buster Jerk)
Crankbaits 12–20 cm (Rapala Super Shad Rap, Salmo Slider)
Spinnerbaits 20–40 g
Spoons 18–40 g (Abu Atom, Falkfish Thor)
Large jerk/swim baits (Rapala X-Rap Magnum, Westin Swim 15 cm)
Bladed jigs / chatterbaits 20–40 g

Find spinning gear at Sportfish

Season

March–May (pre- and post-spawn), Sept–November (autumn feeding before winter). Many Swedish waters close in March/April — check local regulations.

Time of day

Mid-morning through lunch and late afternoon; overcast days fish all day.

Tip

Spring: shallow bays 0.5–2 m, slow retrieve. Summer: work the thermocline at 3–6 m with faster lures. Autumn: go bigger, chase baitfish schools. A fish-finder helps enormously. Catch & release is recommended for pike over 80 cm.

Full guide

The right gear makes the difference

Sportfish is one of the UK's leading fishing tackle retailers, with a wide range of rods, reels, lures and fly-tying gear. We recommend them if you're looking to upgrade your setup.

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Licence & rules

England requires an Environment Agency rod fishing licence for freshwater fishing, including Windermere (free for under-13s). On top of that, a local permit or day ticket from the Lake District National Park Authority or local clubs is usually needed.

Full international rules overview →

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