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.
Sywell is a very public place to fish - anglers must always fish conscientiously. Please read the rules below carefully, as failure to adhere to them may result in losing your ticket
Fish
Tench to over 12lb have been caught in recent years with many double figure fish caught every season.
The water is also famous for pike fishing.
Fish over 30lb have been caught in the past but a 20lb fish is now a more realistic target.
The reservoir can become very weedy at times - some areas can be unfishable.
All forms of pike fishing (including lures) are only permitted from 1 October to 31 March. This is to protect the pike when they are at their most vulnerable.
Season tickets
Fishing at Sywell is for season ticket holders only - no day tickets are available.
Collect your season ticket from the park by making an appointment in advance. Email [email protected] or phone 0300 126 5935 to arrange this.
Bring a passport photo, cash payment and your EA rod licence.
All tickets include car parking.
| Ticket type | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full season ticket | 1 April to 31 March | £100 |
| Half season ticket | 1 April to 30 September 1 October to 31 March | £50 |
| Concession (full season ticket only) | 1 April to 31 March | £50 |
| Under 16s | 1 April to 31 March | Free - but a season ticket still needs to be collected |
Members of the Tenchfishers group are entitled to a 20% discount on season tickets (on production of a valid green membership card) in recognition of their significant contributions to the angling at Sywell.
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 that they can access the parks with any equipment.
- 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 02 April 2025