Stillwater · Volcanic · Lake District / West Cumbria, GB-ENG

Ennerdale Water

Panoramic view of Ennerdale Water lake with fells reflected in the still water

Ennerdale Water is the most remote of the main Lake District lakes and the one that most rewards a fly angler.

Fair · Trout
Minkie · 6-10
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Glassy and bright — hard work without a breeze. Hard work without breeze. Look for the dimples.
48% confidence
limited data
What moved it
  • WindSE 37 km/hFresh breeze
Today's fly
Minkie
Minkie6-10
Retrieve, sub-surface
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Fresh breeze
SE 37 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
Wave80 cm wave
Water temp17.3°C
Air temp18°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1003 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

Head to
Wind driftSE wind
North-western end

A southeasterly has held for 15 hours, running warmer than the water (19°C air against 17°C water). Expect fish at the north-western end — the bank it is blowing into — where the drift piles food, colour and warmth together. This reads the upper water, though — a bottom bait at range feels it far less than a floater or a fish in the margins. Treat it as a tiebreaker between good swims rather than an override — features and angling pressure usually count for more.

How to fish it · for Trout
When
May to September; evening sedge fishing excellent from late June. September can produce the best fish of the year as trout feed up before spawning.
Where
With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Minkie on the bob and Booby on the point.
The plan
Plan A

With limited drift, anchor or fish static from sheltered positions. Work Minkie on the bob and Booby on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Bank, sheltered shores

Strong wind makes boat fishing difficult — sheltered bank spots near lee shores will fish best.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 2 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Heather FlyHatch
2
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Claret DunHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • United Utilities fishing permit required
  • Available via unitedutilities.com/recreation
  • Boat hire available through permit system
  • Access via Bowness Knott car park (western end)
  • No vehicle access beyond car park on foot permit.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
63%
Cloud70%
Wind30%
Temp100%

A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 5
Gallery · 2
  1. Panoramic view of Ennerdale Water lake with fells reflected in the still water
    Ennerdale Water, West Cumbria
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

Ennerdale Water is the most remote of the main Lake District lakes and the one that most rewards a fly angler. United Utilities permit water in the far west of the national park — no road runs along the south shore and the valley is largely car-free, which means the wild brown trout have seen relatively few flies. The trout are genuine wild fish, typically 8–14 oz but with fish to 2lb+ present, in excellent condition from the volcanic catchment's clean, well-oxygenated water. Arctic charr are present in the lake but live deep and are not a fly fishing target. The fishing is loch-style — drift from a boat with teams of wet flies, or work the bankside shallows at dusk with sedge and dry fly. United Utilities issues day and season permits; boat hire is available through the permit system. The combination of remoteness, wild fish, and spectacular fell backdrop makes Ennerdale one of the best-kept secrets in English still-water fly fishing.

  • Volcanic
Water quality (WFD)
  • Ecology: Good
  • Chemical: Unknown
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (strong) are not ideal for this water.
  • Temperature (moderate) is in the sweet spot for autumn fishing.
  • Buzzer is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 15 March → 30 September
Related guides
Casting instructors near here
Booking & contacts