The Best Norfolk Broads Fishing Spots

I’ve fished in and around the Norfolk broads for many years, I’ve gained enough knowledge and understand of where and how to catch fish in almost any condition. Fishing isn’t always easy, and had my fair share of very slow days when the day just passes by with little to no action on the rod. I’m going to help you understand some of the best Norfolk broads fishing spots.

I’m hoping you get some inspiration and some insight in to some of the less fished areas of Norfolk river systems, as well as some popular spots.

Barton Broad

Barton Broad is an excellent Norfolk Broads Fishing Spots of around 150 acres, Barton Broad is supplied with water from the tidal River Ant, which runs through the middle of the broad and has clear markers for easy navigation. As it flows out of Barton, the River Ant goes past Pleasure Hill Island, which serves as a navigational landmark on both sides. 

A wide breakwater leads to the Old Gay Staithe via the western passage. Cox’s Boatyard has a small fee for using its slipway, and it’s recommended to contact them for current pricing. Fishing is excellent further down the breakwater near Neatishead village, especially when the weather is mild during winter. The roach and Rudd fish often leave the river to avoid the salt tides that may enter high up the River Ant and join the Bream shoals. The most effective method for fishing in this particular area is through the use of casters and maggots. 

At the northern point of the broad, there is a dyke that leads to Barton Turf Staithe, where the River Ant flows into it. Fishing on the broad is exclusively done via boat, and visitors are advised to have mud weights available before they leave the slipway. As far as I recall, there are no boat rental services in this location, and individuals must launch their own vessel from Cox’s slipway. 

My recommendation would be to take a cautious approach when starting your swim so as not to startle the fish residing here, which could result in slower fishing. While it is possible to return to the area, my personal experience has shown that keeping noise to a minimum tends to improve the fishing outcome. Additionally, I suggest avoiding parking your boat directly beside your intended fishing spot, instead opting to park at a safe distance for casting as appropriate. 

In order to reduce the burden of mud rich in Phosphorus, dredging was initiated in the mid-1990s under the project name Clearwater 2000. This extensive dredging endeavour was undertaken by several organizations such as the Broads Authority, Environmental Trust of the Soap and Detergent Industry Association, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, English Nature, and Anglian Water. The project was finished in the year 2001 and involved the transplantation of lilies and the removal of a significant amount of sediment from the Broads up to a depth of 6 feet. 

You can catch bream, tench, and roach from various spots across this extensive waterway. Eels are known to be abundant, so it’s normal to catch a few while fishing. If you’re not experiencing the expected amount of catches, don’t hesitate to switch to a different location with bait. 

The majority of fish in this area weigh only a few ounces to approximately four pounds. Although it is possible to catch larger fish, the best chance of success is during night fishing. I have heard of some friends who fished through the night and caught bream weighing over ten pounds, and altogether caught over 250 pounds of fish. Tench can also be found near the reed island and can grow to a decent size, but are frequently caught along with other fish during the warmer months. 

Pike fishing can be very difficult on the broad itself, given they’re not really shoal fish. For Pike fishing, head over to Neatishead Dyke and particularly around cox’s Boatyard and up the River Ant all the way to Wayford Bridge.

What baits work on Barton Broad.

• Maggot and caster for the Bream and Roach
• Worm work well for the Tench and bigger Bream, in the early morning and evening.
• For feeder fishing, light Cereal Groundbait fed little and often. Cast every 10 mins.
• Pike fishing, dead bait is king
• Float fishing on the deck is the by far the best method on the broad itself.

Bridge Broad (West), Wroxham

The western edge of Bridge Broad is not so common Norfolk broad fishing spots which spans two acres and is separated from the eastern end, is known as Little Bridge Broad due to its irregular shape. It has numerous hidden corners and an average depth of 5 feet, making it a prime location for catching roach and hybrids. During winter, pike fishing is especially fruitful due to the abundance of smaller fish present in this area. 

Boat access to the area is only possible through the River Bure, located a short distance upstream (on the southern bank) from Wroxham Bridge, and just beyond the railway bridge. Visitors are encouraged to explore various rental options available in Wroxham for fishing dinghies, as tips and guidance are readily provided by all companies. Those who own their own boats should speak to Landamores and pay a small fee to use their slipway. 

What baits work on Bridge Broad.

• Float fish with maggots and caster
• You can feeder fish, the best if some dedicated roach groundbait with cage feeder. Maggot feeder works well
• Pike fishing with dead bait, or small soft plastics for the smaller Jack Pike

Decoy Broads, Woodbastwick

The Norwich and District Angling Association has authority over a vast stretch of water that spans an area of more than 30 acres, and only boat fishing members are permitted to access it. The membership fee is reasonably priced and offers exclusive access to some of the finest fishing grounds on the Norfolk Broads. If you wish to hire a boat, it is advisable to get in touch with the angling association for current rates. The last time I hired one, it cost me less than £10 for the entire day. 

In the middle of the expansive, shallow body of water, there exists a profound cavity surrounded by extensive lily pads. The bed of the water body is primarily composed of muddy sediment. The water’s hue tends to vary as it receives a direct inflow from the River Bure, which sustains the water body. 

The Decoy area boasts a good population of Bream weighing between 1-5lbs. As there are large groups of fish here, it is advisable to use a bed of particles such as hemp and casters. The Roach population is abundant and some can grow up to 2lbs. Therefore, it is best to use light fishing gear for best sport. The water here always seems to have great colour in it. If you are targeting Perch, you can try drop-shotting worm it, or legering worms can be just as productive. The Tench which can be found in this area weigh about 5lbs being a good catch. News of specimen sizes of bream and tench being caught yearly here. 

I know a fair few of you are wondering about the pike, and yes! There’s plenty of those. Pike have been caught here to over 30lbs and plenty of smaller jacks to keep you occupied. I hooked a pike once fishing for bream, It was probably around 20lb and has eaten my catch before it bit through my line after around a 20-min fight on 3lb line. It’s a very popular Norfolk broads fishing spot

What bait works at Decoy Broad

• For bream, a bed of hemp and casters fishing worm over the top
• Roach is 100% maggot, feeding casters
• Tench is worm, although maggot does work, but it’s keeping it in the water long enough
• If you want eels, anything! They’ll literally take anything
• Perch I find a nice sized worm drop shotted
• Pike dead baiting smelt for the bigger ones, or live baiting a roach

Hickling Broad and Heigham Sound

The combined size of Hicking Broad and Heigham Sound is approximately 700 acres. These two bodies of water are connected by Whiteslea, and boats can traverse between them using Deep Dyke. The entire expanse is interconnected with the River Thurne’s coloured and tidal waters. Therefore, the further north one journeys, the more pristine and transparent the water appears. 

Fishing enthusiasts would do well to seek out locations far from the busy waterway and the relentless waves it generates near the numerous reed-filled bays and inlets. However, at night, the boating channel can become lively as bream traverse it to move between different areas. It really does turn in to a fantastic Norfolk broads fishing spot

Depth other than in the boating channel seldom exceeds 4 feet and there are large patches of lilies, not always apparent, whenever the broad is coloured by algae bloom. Hickling, the largest of all the broads, contains vast quantities of roach from a couple of ounces up to a pound with an ever-increasing number of beautiful Rudd. There are also some cracking perch to around 4lb, and tench coming out at over 7lb are not uncommon. The pike here can grow to over 30lbs biggest known caught was 42lb caught back in 2010. There’s plenty of smaller jack pike to get through before you get close to pike of that size.

The bream in this stretch can go large, they average between 4-6lb, having over 100lbs of bream in a day is not uncommon. One of the largest hauls of bream reported by a local boat hire company claims a group of 4 anglers fishing over 3 days and through some nights caught over 1000lbs between them up to around 8lbs. The bream of that size can be difficult to locate when the surface is ruffled so that bubbles and the odd rolling fish are not evident. The fish can be scared off by heavy groundbaiting, which seems to go against what you’d expect from bream fishing. Try fishing from distance and using a catapult to feed.

When the sun goes down, it appears that the traditional form of catching bream is more successful. If you prefer using a float, try fishing over a bed of sweet bream groundbait, or use a cage feeder. The best spots for night fishing are along the western shoreline near Catfield Dyke, and at the southern end near the entrance of Deep Dyke.
Inside Deep Dyke itself, abundant bream can be found after sunset as they travel from Heigham Sound. By placing regular groundbait with a bread flake or a lobworm on the hook, you can achieve impressive bream hauls, which may include some hybrid catches weighing between 2-3lbs. It is a truly wonderful Norfolk broads fishing spots.

Over the years, I have had some truly enjoyable sessions in the evenings at this location. The bream tend to stop feeding suddenly and leave the Dyke when dawn arrives, which signals the arrival of roach until boats start passing by. The area where Deep Dyke meets Heigham Sound is also known for its bream and roach population. Fishing close to the boat, between the marker posts and the reed island, can prove fruitful at times. Furthermore, the channel itself is known to be a productive fishing spot during quiet periods, especially at night. 

Travelling further south towards the bottom of the Sound where it funnels into Candle Dyke, depth is slightly better and some good roach bags are taken all along this reach during the autumn, right the way down, past the old eel set to the junction with the River Thurne. Bream fishing again here is brilliant at night, even through the winter months they seem to shoal up well in this area of the river. In winter months pike to over 30lb have come out as well as numerous 20s and plenty of Jack Pike.

At the beginning of Candle Dyke and along certain areas of Deep Dyke, there is limited bank fishing available. The surrounding environment consists mostly of marshland filled with reeds and vegetation, which perfectly captures the essence of a typical Norfolk Broad landscape. Fishing in this area can only be done by boat. To fully appreciate the location, I recommend beginning at Martham Ferry and paddling through Thurne up to Candle Dyke, then into Heigham Sound. Alternatively, you can rent a boat from the northernmost point of Hickling to reach Martham Ferry, which would take around an hour. It is highly advisable to plan ahead and secure boat rental well in advance before embarking on a fishing trip. 

What baits work on Hickling Broad

• Maggots and cage feeder work well on bigger strecthes of the broad
• Float fishing for shallower parts up to around 6ft with Lob Worm and maggots
• Ledgering Dead bait smelt seems to have caught the bigger Pike

Horsey MERE

Covering approximately 100 acres and situated at the highest point of Heigham Sound, Horsey Mere is a nature reserve that is connected to the tidal waters of the River Thurne by means of Meadow Dyke. Moreover, Waxham Cut is a section of the aforementioned dyke that enters into the reserve at its northernmost end and is partially sourced from Horsey. 

The fishing at Horsey is similar to that found at Hickling Broad, with typically shallow waters that can become quite clear in the summer months due to abundant weed growth. The area is home to a variety of fish species, including Roach, Rudd, Perch, and bream, with some specimens weighing between 6-7lbs. On occasion, bream weighing over ten pounds have been caught in this part of the broads. Horsey has long been known for its impressive Pike population, with the largest recorded weighing in at 40lbs, caught with a dead roach a decade ago. Another Pike of the same size was also caught in 1994, again using a dead roach. 

Pike fishing has slowed in the last decade, but in recent years it started to pick up yet again. Pike over 30lb get caught fairly often and many in the 20s are also caught, mostly dead baiting. I’ve not had much luck lure fishing Horsey Mere.

Horsey Hall had authority over fishing, permitting anglers to fish by boat from June 16 to October 31. However, there is a significant break in fishing to allow for the preservation of wildfowl, with the mere reopening to anglers from March 1 until the end of the season. It is important to note that using live baiting is forbidden on this portion of water. Additionally, boat rental services are not available at Horsey Mere; if you wish to fish there, you must take the lengthy journey through Meadow Dyke from either Martham or Hickling. It’s one of the most famous Norfolk broads fishing spots for local pike angling

What baits work at Horsey Mere

• It’s mostly fished by pike angers and dead bait roach has proven effective
• I’ve had perch dropshotting in the staithe with worm
• Small roach on maggots and casters
• For the bream and tench, log worms seems to produce with a sweet bream groundbait

The Trinity Broads

The Broads Authority manages five broads, with the three biggest being Rollesby Broad, Ormesby Broad, and Filby Broad, while the remaining two are Lily Broad and Ormesby Little Broad, which are considerably smaller. These are referred to as the trinity broads and offer a unique fishing experience. It’s one of the Norfolk broads fishing spots I’ve spent the most time on

Little Ormesby

Out of the five broads, this one is located furthest north and is surrounded by reeds. The middle section of the water is fairly deep, but at the junction of the extended east section, the depth reaches approximately 9 feet near the water tower, which is a popular spot for winter piking. However, the depth in the east section shallow off to between 3 and 4 feet. Along the reedy banks of the broad, there are large tench that can be caught. Additionally, there are some breams that weigh over 8lb each that can be found in schools. Many Rudd, including specimens that weigh over 2lb, populate this location. There are many pikes that exceed 20lb, as well as smaller jacks. After October, and when there is a good wind, people often catch bigger pikes by using static or twitched dead baits in cold, clear water conditions, while free-swimming or paternostered live baits are used to catch the larger fish. 

In order to fish this broad, you must speak to the Norwich and District Pike Club, who hire out rowing boats for a perfect price. If you’re planning on fishing this more regularly, you can become a member and purchase a season ticket, you can then take out a boat for no additional fee. They do have a couple other boat around some areas of the broads, I’m not 100% sure on them locations, but I know one use to be at Surlingham.

Just one point to mention, anglers can’t launch their own boats to fish this group of broads unless they’re electric outboard motors.

Rollesby Broad

This wide reed-fringed sheet of water varies from 3 feet deep in the margins, where specimen tench tend to be located, to over 10 feet deep through the middle channel at the road end. Mixed catches of roach, rudd, hybrids and bream are taken on light float tackle, baiting with maggots, casters or bread flake in conjunction with a bed of groundbait. Tench have to be caught tipping 10lb, with bream coming in around 8lb. I know there’s bigger fish out there that have probably never been caught.

Pike fishing gets better during October when the temperature starts to fall and numerous pike running in to high double figures are far more likely. There are a fair few specimens pushing mid-twenties. Fish the reed beds early on and the deeper water once winter really takes hold. It can be productive on all methods of predator fishing but as normal, dead baiting brings in the bigger Pike. The most productive baits seem to be Smelt and Brown Trout. I find this particular broad, wherever you spot signs of roach, there’s normally always plenty of pike close by.

Lilly Broad

This is a lovely intimate little broad averaging between just 3 and 5 ft, After rowing down Rollesby’s eastern shoreline or coming across the bottom end of Great Ormesby ‘lily’ is reached and once inside, there is a definite feeling of friendliness. The southern bank is mostly Aldercar, and the best areas are through the middle or along the reed lined margins of the northern shore. Good stocks of roach to about 1lb, bream to around 4-5lb and a few tench up to around 4lb have been caught. As in most of the trinity broads, a good head of pike go well in the 20s. 

Even in the strongest of winds, calm water can always be found and float fishing with maggots or casters of a carpet of loose feed produces some good mixed catches, especially  when the water holds a fair bit of colour.

Great Ormesby Broad

This broad often has a nickname of eel’s foot. You used to be able to hire small boats out from the restaurant on eel’s foot, but that was taken over a few years back and can no longer hire the boats. It does merge with Rollesby broads so can be got at, it was just easier when the boats were available at eels foots.

The best fishing is the southern end where it merges with Rollesby Broad and off Jerusalem Bay, halfway down the eastern shore. Bream fishing here is fantastic, going to over 10lbs, but loads are between 4-6lbs. The tall reeds cover most of the shorelines and tench can be caught to over 7lb with roach and rudd up to about 2lb can be found. There are regular reports of people fishing through the day in to the evening of catching bags of bream up to about 150lbs. Pike are also abundant and go up to around 20lbs. Pike can be caught on all means of predator fishing. For all other fish, maggots for the roach and rudd and worm for bream and tench. This location is one of the best Norfolk broads fishing spots for bream fishing

Filby Broad

This is the most southerly of the trinity broads. In windy conditions, this broad softens has the most colour. There is no boat shed on the broads and anglers must row beneath the A1064 roach bridge. Filby broad is heavily reed-fringed all the way around. It gets pretty deep around 100 yards directly out from the road bridge. It is majority fished for the pike, and fish up to around 30lb are regularly caught. Lure fishing here is generally more productive. The roach and rudd to around a 1lb can be had, as well as some decent bream to over 10lb and tench around 7lb. Eels as well have been known to get up to around 6/7lb, which are not uncommon.

What baits work on the Trinity Broads

• Maggots work the best for roach float fished
• Worm on the feeder during the day for bream and float fish over groundbait and hemp in the evenings
• Worm for the tench throughout the day in the margins
• Pike can be had on both lures and dead baiting anything can produce. Live baiting in the margins also works well

Martham North Broad, Somerton

Somerton boasts two private broads that are relatively small and separated by the River Thurne. These ponds are owned by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and are shallow, very clear of vegetation, and strictly off-limits to anglers. However, during the months of October through February, the NWT has conducted experimental Pike fishing by permitting limited numbers of anglers to fish for this species. 

Only a maximum of two boats are permitted per day and fishing can only be done on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Booking these permits in advance is necessary by requesting an application form from the NWT. After submitting the form, you can opt to pay a small fee and select your desired dates. The process can be a bit tedious, and I haven’t gone fishing there for quite some time. It’s possible that the regulations may have changed in recent years, so it’s advisable to check with the NWT. 

If you get over the effort of actually getting to this area, the pike fishing is brilliant. Numerous fish over 30lb get caught here regularly. The broads did have some rules to abide by, no live baiting and no artificial lures can be used. You can be only dead bait and use two rods only. Another rule to follow is that you must tie up to mooring stakes only, you can just freely fish.

This broad was one of the most complex places to fish, so my advice either check out the NWT for information or just pass all together.

What bait works on Martham North Broad

• Dead bait only! I couldn’t tell you what works now as it’s been around 10 years since I fished it.

Ranworth Broad (Inluding Malthouse)

Ranworth Broad, a vast 100-acre body of water, receives its water from the River Bure which is affected by tides. The broad is divided into two parts: “Inner” and “Outer”, which are separated by stakes and a gate to protect the Inner section, a wildlife sanctuary, which is the larger of the two parts. The Inner section is generally shallow and uniformly about 5 feet deep, and it has a pleasant hue. Only boat fishing is allowed, and it is regulated by the Norwich and District Angling Association. Boats are provided by the association. 

Fishing is permitted only from 16th June to 30th September when the inner broad yields a variety of fish such as roach and bream weighing up to 4 pounds, along with some splendid hybrids amidst picturesque surroundings. During the rest of the year, the inner section is inaccessible to anglers, while the outer region which connects the bure to the broad via a long dyke – called malthouse Broad – is also recognized for its excellent fishing opportunities. Pike fishing is popular here, with pike reaching around 20lbs

Fishing is free from the staithe and from the dyke. The bure itself can be good fishing but is often ruined by regular boat traffic. Early mornings and late nights can be productive, bringing out the bigger bream. Best fished over some groundbait with both worm or maggots

What bait works on Ranworth and Malhouse Broad

• For pike, dead baiting roach, slightly propped off the bottom
• Maggot feeder during the days for bream and roach
• Evenings times, float fishing with sweet bream groundbait and hemp.

Rockland Broad

The Rockland Broad is another undervalued Norfolk broads fishing spots that spans more than 40 acres and is entirely enclosed by marshland. This area is also surrounded by tall reeds of the Norfolk “house thatching” variety. The southern end of the broad is located near the road and the New Inn, where Rockland Beck flows in from Poringland. Meanwhile, at the northern end of the area, there are two separate navigable channels known as Fleet and Short Dyke which lead into the tidal River Yare. 

The tide typically fluctuates about 3 feet, and sometimes it can reach such a low point that boats may be left stranded. Those planning to anchor for extended periods should exercise caution. The prime fishing spots are typically found in or near the deep channels used by boats. 

Being very weedy with huge expanses of water lilies in summer, the broad is a feeding ground for fish that come up from the yare on the flood tide, like roach and bream. At this period, fishing is normally at its best. Good-sized bream are common here and always in for a chance for a specimen over 10lbs with roach as well-being caught up to 2lb. Fishing like this can be had in the dykes leading into the yare and especially in the fast waters of the yare itself.

Tench lives in the weed beds and if you’re fortunate, could bag a brace. The tench here are not at all that common, but they do average around 6lb so worth targetting them. The eels around here are common, and I’ve seen then come out at over 6lb. You’ll get the odd flounder as well in amongst the other fish. Other fish you’ll find are perch, although they don’t go big, they’ve come out around 2lb every season.

Pike are perhaps the favourite quarry of Rockland fishers, and one generally needs to wait until the end of September for the weeds to rot and vanish and for the water to clear a little before pike fishing comes consistent. Working surface lures can be productive in the warmer months, but most wait until the weed has cleared and opt for dead baiting instead. The average pike size here is actually pretty good, coming in the mid-teens as well as the larger ones getting close to 30lb.

Most methods of pike fishing work well on Rockland Mere, although live baiting seems to work the best, bringing out the larger fish. Light to medium tackle is recommended, especially if you’re spinning around the margins for the small jacks. Just be careful of the lilies, they’re really tough, and I’ve lost many spinners to these.

If you have your own boat, there’s a slipway in the broad, there’s a small charge to this. Hiring a boat can’t be done here but upriver in Brundall and boat on down to Rockland Broad

What baits work on Rockland Broad

• Corn seems to bring out the bigger bream in the evenings as well as the odd tench
• If fishing is slow, use maggot either on a float or feeder fish a mggot feeder
• Evening times, float fishing for the tench with worm
• Pike fishing, will take most of the dead baits often used

Salhouse Broad

Salhouse Broad can be a little tricky to get to and, situated on the southern bank of River Bure and lying between Wroxham and Woodbastwick, is accessible through two entry dykes. Anglers can navigate their boats through these dykes for a fee that must be paid to the warden. Additionally, there is a charge for bank fishing, unless one arrives by boat from either Wroxham or Horning. To reach Salhouse Broad via road, visitors must use the village of Salhouse, which requires a long walk in the final stage of the route. In my opinion, the effort may not be worth it for the fishing experience. 

Depths averages around 5 feet and there is some general fun fishing to be had on light float tackle with roach up to around 1lb, hybrids and bream have been known to go in to double figures (but rare) plus the odd perch to 2lb and tench to double figures (rare). I’ll say this now, there is some Carp in these waters up to around 30lbs, I know of a small group of anglers that fished for these for years and only had a couple. There’s a good head of pike here to over 20lbs caught in every way possible. I’ve never fished this for pike, but I’ve caught many just fishing for the roach and bream. Because of the location, which means a fair row from Wroxham, Salhouse Broad is comparatively little fished, especially in the winter. I think it’s a tough water but can be a very productive Norfolk broads fishing spots

What baits work on Salhouse Broad

• Maggots and worm for the bream, roach, tench and perch float fished.
• Cage feeder with casters and sweet groundbait, worm on the hook
• For the carp, lots and lots of time, not further advice as I’ve never fished for them

South Walsham Broad

South Walsham Broad is similar to Ranworth, in as much as it also has an inner and outer sections. The inner part, substantially larger than the outer, is private and barred to anglers. The outer section is fairly shallow and fishing is almost entirely from boats.

The majority of the riverbank is under private ownership, with the exception of the Fleet Dyke and the village staithe on the right bank, accessible to anglers for fishing and boat launching. Depths of the Dyke range from 4 to 7 feet, providing great fishing opportunities. It connects with the River Bure, where fishing is also good but depths are much greater. Unfortunately, during summer months, boat traffic can make fishing challenging. However, catching exceptional fish is possible during evening sessions along this stretch. 

Fish to be had here are plenty of bream averaging around 2lb up to about 5lb, roach to around 1lb, perch to 2lbs and the odd nice tench, I’ve had one here around 5lbs fishing a maggot feeder against the margins late evening. If you’re in to pike fishing, dead baiting slightly off the bottom produces the bigger fish. pike up to about 20lb are common. It’s one of my favourite Norfolk broads fishing spots in the evening

What baits work on South Walsham Broad

• Maggot feeder during the day, as groundbait tends to get disturbed by the boat traffic
• Evening time, float fishing worm over bream groundbait and hemp
• For the pike, small soft plastics and dead baiting propped up produce

Surlingham Broad, Surlingham

Another under fished Norfolk broads fishing spots is located on the southern bank of the River Yare, between Postwick and Strumpshaw, is Surlingham Broad. It directly faces Brundall, which can be found on the north bank. Over time, silting has caused the broad to significantly decrease in size. It is said that the area was once ten times larger than its current 18 acres, and during ebb tides, much of the broad becomes maze-like mud flats. Despite this, the two connecting dykes allow good-sized roach to enter the broad, reaching around 1lb, and the occasional bream at around 3lb during flood tide. Angling is a promising activity here and pike fishing proves to be rewarding, with pike caught weighing up to 20lbs each year. 

There has been a shortage of dredging activities at the entry points of the dykes leading to the broad from the Yare. These areas are particularly productive for catching a variety of fish, especially along the downstream dyke. Fishing at night can be highly fruitful with some anglers managing to catch over 100lb of fish during a single trip. 

The nearest slipway if you have your own boat is Coldham Hall. If you wish to hire a boat, brundall if the closest option.

What baits work on Surlingham Broad

• Dead maggots and casters work well on the float for bream and roach
• Evening times, worm on the the float fished over groundbait and casters
• Pike fishing, dead baiting with a roach produces the better fish

Womack Water

The Womack Water is an appealing and slender fishing spot that extends for approximately three-fourths of a mile, branching out from the northern bank of the River Thurne, approximately one and a half miles upstream from the Thurne Mouth. This area is, essentially, a lengthy series of coves, entrances, and a landmass containing the remaining section of the former Womack Broad situated near the public wharf at the northwestern edge. The spot allows boats to hitch at no cost. 

Fishing from the banks is permitted without charge beyond the staithe, as well as along the half mile stretch that commences at the country sailing club and runs all the way to the Thurne junction. The water possesses a mild current and the colour is consistently vibrant, with the depth ranging between 3 and 5 feet and containing occasional pockets such as the island and boat dykes. 

Sport can be patchy, but there are many ‘bream flats’ present with better sized fish up to around 4lb. Roach, like most of the Norfolk broads, are widespread and can reach about 1lb and a half. You’ll find a very small number of tench topping around 3/4lb, with the odd bigger one coming in closer to 7lb. There’s not many pike in Womack so don’t expect too many bites, if you do manage to hook one, it’s likely to be between 8-12lb.

Night fishing seems to be the best way to fish, you can only really target the bream here. Feeder fishing with bread crumb with bread punch seems to draw out the bigger fish. Winter fishing can be good, with a decent bag of roach and bream, maggot and caster is the ideal winter bait to produce. Womack water can be difficult fishing but a rewarding Norfolk broads fishing spots.

What baits work at Womack Water

• Feeder fishing with a small cage feeder and bread crumb and bread punch
• Maggot feeder for the roach all year around
• For the pike, dead baiting has produced but it’s tough going for anything

Wroxham Broad

 The Norfolk Broads Yacht Club resides at Wroxham Broad which is supplied with water from the River Bure and spans over an area of 100 acres, making it the most favoured location for fishing enthusiasts. It is advisable to steer clear of the deep centre of the broad during yacht races, as it may not be the ideal spot for anglers. 

There is little bankside fishing close to the moorings of the yacht club but the visitor would do well to go afloat and explore the countless weedy bays and inlets in the shallow water at either the nortern or wouthern end of the broad.

Wroxham Broad holds an insane head of quality roach up to about 3lb and bags of roach up to around 30bs + are not uncommon on a full day here. It fishes well most of the year, but really comes to life during the summer. The bream are a little trickier to find, but when you do, be expected to catch a few around the 4lb mark. They do get close to 10lb and a few come out each year in different locations. Perch fishing can be productive and I find drop shotting the most fun. I’ve only ever caught perch here around 1lb and a half, but I’ve seen perch close to 4lb come out this broad. Pike up to 30lb get caught every single year near both, entranced to the broad. Dead baiting a roach works the best, as these pike are constantly stalking the large shoals of the roach.

Boats can be hired right throughout Wroxham and taken down the bure into the broad via either two connecting dykes. The first of these is at its junction where the water is fairly deep, quiver tip lob worm fishing can attract some nice perch pretty constantly. Wroxham broad is probably the most popular Norfolk broads fishing spots, but not a lot of people know how to fish it properly

Whats baits work at Wroxham Broad

• For bream, standard cage feeder tactics with maggots and casters
• Roach, float fishing maggots, but you’ll catch these on anything
• For perch, in the tighter areas, drop shot worm, open areas quiver tip lob worm
• Pike fishing is dead bait a dead roach

Conclusion

Fishing some of the Norfolk broads takes a lot of time, and catching these coarse fish has taken many years of trial and error, (a lot of error) and dedication. It doesn’t matter too much what fishing tackle you have or having the perfect fishing equipment for the job. Just get out on the bank and keep practising, and eventually you’ll have the confidence and experience to make the most out of your fishing sessions on the Norfolk broads.

There’s plenty of free fishing and fishing platforms to be had, just make sure you have the correct fishing licence and if you’re confused and need some advice, every fishing tackle shop along the broads can offer some great advice and can point you in the right direction. Let us know how you get on with our guide to the Norfolk broads fishing Spots