Norfolk Broads
The Broads system drains through six main rivers — the Bure, Ant, Thurne, Yare, Chet and Waveney, plus the Wensum flowing through the heart of Norwich into the Yare — most of them tidal in their lower reaches, linked to a network of open broads including Hickling, Barton, Wroxham, Salhouse and Rockland. Nearly all of it is accessible with no more than a rod licence: this is genuinely public water in a way much of English coarse fishing isn't, with free bank fishing along long stretches of every main river.
Pike are the headline act — the Thurne system in particular, running from Hickling Broad through Potter Heigham to Martham, has a long-standing reputation as one of England's great big-pike waters, having produced multiple British-record-class fish over the decades. But the Broads are a genuine mixed fishery beyond the pike: the Wensum is rated one of England's finest big-roach rivers and holds excellent chub, while bream to specimen weights and tench to 6lb turn up throughout the system.
Rivers
River Thurne
Linked to Hickling Broad and Horsey Mere, running through Potter Heigham and Martham to join the Bure. The most celebrated pike water on the Broads, with a long history of huge fish — Derrick Amies's 42lb 2oz fish from Dungeon Corner in 1986 was a British record at the time. Also good bream and roach, especially between Thurne Mouth and Ant Mouth where the water always carries some colour.
Pike · BreamRiver Wensum
A small, winding river (its name means "winding" in Old English) flowing through Fakenham and Norwich to join the Yare. Protected as a Special Area of Conservation, and rated one of England's best big-roach rivers with excellent chub too.
Roach · ChubRiver Ant
The only Broads river that actually feeds a broad — Barton Broad, a premier bream and pike fishery. Free fishing for over two miles at Ludham Bridge for pike, bream, perch, roach and rudd.
Bream · PikeRiver Bure
Deep and tidal in its lower reaches, clear and tranquil upstream near Melton Constable — genuinely underfished upper water, where a local specialist landed three chub over 7lb in 2017.
Chub · PikeRiver Yare
A powerful river running from Norwich to Breydon Water and Great Yarmouth — strong roach and bream fishing, occasional flounder and mullet in its tidal lower reaches, and one of the better spots for river carp to specimen weight.
Roach · BreamBroads
Hickling Broad & Horsey Mere
Part of the Thurne system and the epicentre of the Broads' big-pike reputation, with numerous 40lb-plus fish taken over the years. Best fished by boat, deadbaiting smelt or sardine through the colder months.
South Walsham Broad
Known for some of the biggest bream on the Broads, with fish into double figures possible — best fished at night with a big bait over groundbait.
Malthouse Broad
A reliable tench water, alongside the more usual bream and roach found throughout the system.
Eels
A tradition dating to the Middle Ages
The Broads have a genuinely deep eel-fishing history — conical willow "bucks" were strung across rivers as weirs from medieval times, and the Grade II-listed Eel Sett at Potter Heigham is one of the only surviving examples of the small huts where eel catchers kept their nets and spent the night. The last working sett, at Candle Dyke near Hickling, is still owned by the Broads Society. Eels remain present throughout the system today, though numbers are well down on historic levels as the species is now classed as critically endangered.
EelsGeneral guide only — the connecting rivers follow the standard English coarse close season (15 March–15 June), though the broads themselves are often classed as stillwaters and may remain open; always check current Environment Agency byelaws. Always confirm permits and any local rules before fishing private stretches.
Check today's conditions for the Norfolk Broads →