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Fishing in the Norfolk Broads

Visitors from miles around know the area well for it’s excellent fishing opportunities. Fishing in the Norfolk Broads is popular for many, and the area offers a great range of options for anglers of all experiences and ages. A great past time that can be enjoyed on your own, with friends or with your children, the Norfolk Broads offers 300sqkm of fishing waters and is one of the best-known and well-loved fishing spots in the country.

Set against beautiful backdrops and stunning scenery, fishing in the Norfolk Broads also offers anglers an idyllic location in which they can relax and enjoy their favourite sport.

Please remember that when fishing on the Norfolk Broads, the closed season applies to all the Broads and rivers from 15th March to 15th June inclusive.

When considering fishing in the Norfolk Broads, hiring one of our cruisers is a great option as you can fish from your boat and offers keen anglers access to more remote fishing spots inaccessible on foot. There are also places where you can moor up and fish, as well as some great fishing platforms.

If you are fishing in private waters you must ensure you have permission and/or the correct ticket. If you are fishing from your boat you should always wear a buoyancy aid and only do so whilst the cruiser is moored and stationary.

Fishing in the Norfolk Broads is also great for first timers. With 7 rivers and 63 Broads to fish in, the opportunities are almost endless. Naturally, the Broads is a well-loved fishing spot, and below you’ll find some handy tips and things you’ll need to get started. There’s also some information on which fish you can expect to find when fishing in the Norfolk Broads.

Fishing Tips

Pike fishing may be a little ambitious for beginners – Bream and Roach are good fish for beginners to catch.
Float fishing is the fastest and easiest way to catch Roach – ensure you weight your line enough that just the red tip of the float breaks water.
It is a good idea to always wet your hands before handling fish, and don’t use towels whether wet or dry as this can damage the protective slime on fish
Be careful not leave baited rods unattended. It can pose a threat to water birds and fish, and passing boats can also cause danger.
Try to only retain fish for a short time as and when necessary. It’s also a good idea not to over-crowd the net.
It’s a good idea to wear your buoyancy aid whilst near the water – you’re trying to catch the fish, not become one yourself!
Popular baits include maggots, casters, sweetcorn and worms. For pike fishing, deadbait is a popular choice.

What you will need

Rod – depending on what you want to catch, you may need a certain type
Reel
Feeders and floats – a variety for different current speeds
Hooks and unhooking devices
Nets – including a keepnet
Unhooking mat
A comfy seat!
Valid Environmental Agency Rod Licence (13+)

Roach

These are a favourite species for coarse anglers and are commonly found between 2 and 10oz. Float fishing or a stick float are recommended using bait such as casters, bread, maggots and sweetcorn.

Perch

These average 4-12oz and float or ledger fishing are recommended using worms, maggots, casters or small fish.

Carp

These can be found weighing between 10 and 20lb and can be caught using float, ledger or feeder. Baits include corn, meat, bread and pellets.

Pike

These are common around all rivers on the Broads where plenty of 20lb fish may be found. Float fishing using freshwater or sea fish baits and artificial lures.

Rudd

These arrange between 4 and 10oz and it is recommended to use float fishing with sweetcorn, casters, bread or maggots.

Tench

3-4lb fish are usually found on the Thurne and Trinity Broads. Float fishing using bread, maggots, casters, sweetcorn, worms, groundbait and hemp are usually recommended.

Bream

These are abundant on the Broads. Catches of over 100lb have been known. 2-4lb fish are commonplace. Float fishing and legering are recommended with baits of bread, maggots, casters, sweetcorn, worms and groundbait.