Ravensthorpe Reservoir closed as a trout fishery in April 2025, citing summer environmental conditions and declining ticket sales. The 41-hectare Northamptonshire reservoir has transitioned to a carp syndicate and winter predator fishery under Anglian Water management. It no longer operates as a day-ticket fly fishery. Stocked rainbow trout angling has ended; pike and perch in winter are the current offering for visiting anglers. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
Rules at a glance
- Day tickets
Spring pike — active and aggressive
Good wave on — drift country. Drift the windward shore. Wet flies on the wave.
Post-spawn pike are feeding hard in warming shallows. Fry are concentrated along margins and pike are following them. This is prime time for pike on the fly.
87% confidence in this read
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
SW 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
10°C
Cloud
Broken
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for pike
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for pike
When
Post-spawn pike are feeding hard in warming shallows. Fry are concentrated along margins and pike are following them. This is prime time for pike on the fly.
Where
Spring pike on the fly — the best time of year. Pike are aggressive post-spawn and actively hunting in warming shallows. Fish reed margins, lily pad edges, and shallow bays. Mix sinking and floating lines. Surface takes possible on calm mornings. Wire trace mandatory — 30cm minimum.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
The plan
Plan A
Spring pike on the fly — the best time of year. Pike are aggressive post-spawn and actively hunting in warming shallows. Fish reed margins, lily pad edges, and shallow bays. Mix sinking and floating lines. Surface takes possible on calm mornings. Wire trace mandatory — 30cm minimum.
Plan B
If fish refuse on top, drop to a buzzer under an indicator at different depths.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Either bank or boat
Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
5 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
The factors driving today's verdict
Why this score
- Hawthorn Fly is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Detail · next 12h
Precipitation
The reading most likely to move tomorrow's verdict
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Ravensthorpe Reservoir · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Ravensthorpe Reservoir, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedRavensthorpe Reservoir · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Ravensthorpe Reservoir closed as a trout fishery in April 2025, citing summer environmental conditions and declining ticket sales. The 41-hectare Northamptonshire reservoir has transitioned to a carp syndicate and winter predator fishery under Anglian Water management. It no longer operates as a day-ticket fly fishery. Stocked rainbow trout angling has ended; pike and perch in winter are the current offering for visiting anglers. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
- Reservoir
- Mixed
Ravensthorpe Reservoir · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Ravensthorpe Reservoir · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 April → 30 September
Ravensthorpe Reservoir · sources
Useful links
External · open in a new tab
Booking & contacts
Ravensthorpe Reservoir
Google Places
Ravensthorpe Reservoir closed as a trout fishery in April 2025, citing summer environmental conditions and declining ticket sales.
Species
Spring pike — active and aggressive
Good wave on — drift country. Drift the windward shore. Wet flies on the wave.
Post-spawn pike are feeding hard in warming shallows. Fry are concentrated along margins and pike are following them. This is prime time for pike on the fly.
87% confidence in this read
Conditions
Wind
SW 14 km/h
Gentle breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
10°C
Cloud
Broken
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
65%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
How to fish it · for pike
When
Post-spawn pike are feeding hard in warming shallows. Fry are concentrated along margins and pike are following them. This is prime time for pike on the fly.
Where
Spring pike on the fly — the best time of year. Pike are aggressive post-spawn and actively hunting in warming shallows. Fish reed margins, lily pad edges, and shallow bays. Mix sinking and floating lines. Surface takes possible on calm mornings. Wire trace mandatory — 30cm minimum.
Method
Method not yet authored.
Kit
Kit not yet authored.
The plan
Plan A
Spring pike on the fly — the best time of year. Pike are aggressive post-spawn and actively hunting in warming shallows. Fish reed margins, lily pad edges, and shallow bays. Mix sinking and floating lines. Surface takes possible on calm mornings. Wire trace mandatory — 30cm minimum.
Plan B
If fish refuse on top, drop to a buzzer under an indicator at different depths.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Either bank or boat
Good ripple suits both bank and boat. Bank: work inflows, dam walls, and points. Boat: broadside drift covering wind lanes.
Why this score
- Hawthorn Fly is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Reservoir BuzzerHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Daphnia SwarmHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Lake OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
Directions
About this water
Ravensthorpe Reservoir closed as a trout fishery in April 2025, citing summer environmental conditions and declining ticket sales. The 41-hectare Northamptonshire reservoir has transitioned to a carp syndicate and winter predator fishery under Anglian Water management. It no longer operates as a day-ticket fly fishery. Stocked rainbow trout angling has ended; pike and perch in winter are the current offering for visiting anglers. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
- Reservoir
- Mixed
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 April → 30 September
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Ravensthorpe Reservoir closed as a trout fishery in April 2025, citing summer environmental conditions and declining ticket sales. The 41-hectare Northamptonshire reservoir has transitioned to a carp syndicate and winter predator fishery under Anglian Water management. It no longer operates as a day-ticket fly fishery. Stocked rainbow trout angling has ended; pike and perch in winter are the current offering for visiting anglers. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
Other water nearby · 5
Booking & contacts