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Fishing advice and guides

Straightforward advice for planning a fishing trip, understanding venue rules, choosing bait and avoiding the mistakes that can turn a promising session into an expensive picnic beside a lake.

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Latest guides

Practical fishing advice

Browse our practical guides covering fly fishing, day ticket fishing, UK fishing rules and bait choices for targeting bigger carp.

Carp fishing Carp baits including boilies, pellets, particles and sweetcorn

Best baits for catching big carp

Compare boilies, pellets, tiger nuts, sweetcorn, particles and natural baits, with seasonal advice and practical feeding strategies.

Read the carp bait guide

Carp fishing Step-by-step carp fishing knot illustrations

Essential fishing knots for carp fishing

Learn four useful carp-fishing knots with clear step-by-step diagrams: the Palomar, Uni, Locked Half Blood and Figure of Eight Loop.

Learn the carp fishing knots

Fly fishing Examples of dry flies, nymphs, emergers and streamers

Fly fishing flies: types, patterns and when to use them

Understand dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, buzzers, emergers and lures, with an illustrated guide to classic British patterns and fly anatomy.

Read the fly fishing guide

Before you travel Day ticket fishing equipment, checklist and fishing permit

Day ticket fishing advice

Check bookings, payment, bait restrictions, hooks, landing nets, facilities and the equipment worth packing before visiting a new fishery.

Read the day ticket guide

Rules and licences

Fishing licences and laws

Understand rod licences, day tickets, fishery permits, close seasons and the different rules across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Read the licences guide

Plan your session

Find somewhere to put the advice into practice

Search the Fishing Lakes UK directory by location, species, access and available facilities.

Start exploring

More guides planned

Building the Fishing Lakes UK advice library

The advice section will continue to grow with useful guides for beginners, returning anglers and experienced carp fishers.

Winter carp fishing Locating fish, reducing feed and choosing cold-water baits.

Surface fishing for carp Safe tackle, feeding strategies and recognising confident fish.

Fishing lake checklist A practical packing list for short sessions and full days.

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