Fishing at Sywell Country Park
The fishing at Sywell is on a 67-acre (28-hectare) lake built in Edwardian times and opened in 1906 as a water supply reservoir for Rushden and Higham Ferrers.
Although no longer supplying drinking water, Sywell is now recognised as one of the leading tench fisheries in the country. Tench to over 12lb have been caught, although the average is around the 7lb mark.
The fishery also contains pike to over 30lb, roach to over 2lbs and a large number of perch and rudd.
Getting a ticket
Day tickets will only be available for purchase until 31st March 2025. From 1st April 2025, fishing at Sywell will be by season ticket only.
Fishing is available on day tickets, concession,12 month season tickets and winter pike permits.
Tickets must be purchased before you start fishing. Day tickets are available (cash payment only) at any time on a self-serve basis from the Rangers Office near the lower main entrance.
The lower car park is open 24 hours a day or fishermen can park in the upper car park and walk down to the ranger's office at any time.
Purchase and display a valid ticket for the duration of your stay, car parking charges apply at all times.
For season tickets and pike permits, contact the Rangers' office by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 126 5935.
| Ticket type | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Day ticket | Dawn to dusk | £5 |
| Half day ticket | Half day | £4 |
| Concession ticket for Blue Badge holders and senior citizens | Dawn to dusk | £3 |
| Age 12 to 16 | Dawn to dusk | £4 |
| Under 12 years old | Dawn to dusk | Free |
| Season ticket | 36 hour maximum stay, longer by arrangement | £100 |
| Concession season ticket for Blue Badge and senior citizens | 36 hour maximum stay, longer by arrangement | £50 |
| Winter Pike Permit | 1 October to 31 March | £50 |
| Concession Winter ticket | 1 October to 31 March | £25 |
Members of the Tenchfishers group are entitled to a 10% discount on season tickets (on production of a valid green membership card).
Access for disabled users
Disabled users can use a RADAR key to open pedestrian gates around the reservoir when vehicle access gates are locked so they can access the parks with any equipment.
Tackle and techniques
There are good fishing spots all around the reservoir including the ever popular dam wall. Both surfaced and mown paths provide easy access to swims.
Weed growth can be prolific later in the season so early season is best for lighter line fishing. Waggler and feeder fishing are both successful methods for the tench. Static, drifting and wobbled dead baits and lures can all take their share of the specimen pike.
- all fish must be returned alive
- all anglers must have and carry a valid EA rod licence and season ticket
- anglers must show their permit and rod licence when requested by a Park Ranger, Environment Agency Officer, or the police
- anglers under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- boats and bait boats are not allowed
- tents are not allowed, drab-colored bivvies and brollies are allowed, but must not block paths
- anglers are responsible for cleaning up all litter from their swim
- only barbless hooks are allowed (maximum size 8 for tench fishing), semi-barbed trebles are allowed for pike fishing
- fixed leads are not allowed, only semi-fixed or sliding leads are permitted
- maximum lead/feeder size is 1 ounce for tench fishing, no braided reel lines are allowed
- every angler must carry an unhooking mat and a landing net (minimum 30 inches in size)
- every angler must carry forceps, anglers fishing for pike with deadbait must have forceps at least 12 inches long
- keepnets are not allowed, sacks and pike tubes can be used for short periods, but must be securely tethered in water deep enough to sustain the fish - only 1 fish per sack
- maximum of 3 rods allowed, during weedy conditions at certain times of the year, anglers may be asked to only use 2 rods
- predator fishing is only allowed from October 1 to March 31, no deadbaiting or lure fishing outside of these dates
- live baiting is not allowed
- all pike rigs must have a wire trace
- pike gags are not allowed
- keep the volume of bite alarms to a minimum
- no BBQs or music are allowed
- do not fish in any fenced-off areas, including temporary electric fencing for livestock
- open water swimming takes place at the reservoir, do not fish near the dam or the meadow at the eastern end when swimming is taking place
- anglers may rake their swims but must leave all weed at the water’s edge to allow fish fry or invertebrates to return to the reservoir
- no swimming or paddling, anglers wishing to wade must wear waders
- night fishing is allowed with a maximum of 2 nights per session
The council:
- maintains the right to ban any fishing method or bait it deems to be causing harm to fish or wildlife
- reserves the right to use any area of the lakes for its own purposes (such as pond dipping or conservation tasks) and to reserve the areas of bank
- maintains the right to suspend all fishing and access to the park or certain areas of the park in extreme circumstances such as a risk to public safety
- reserve the right hold angling events at the reservoir, including the Tenchfishers’ annual fundraiser for the tench stocks, no other anglers are allowed during this weekend
Further information
For further information, please call the Rangers office on 0300 126 5935 or email [email protected].
Last updated 18 February 2025