May is one of the most exciting months to fish in the UK. As waters warm and fish become more active after the long winter and spawning season, anglers across the country enjoy some of the most productive fishing of the year.
In this guide, we’ll break down which fish are biting this May in the UK, where to target them, and what tactics work best for each species.
🐟 1. Carp – Surface Action Begins
- Activity Level: 🔥 High
- Where to Fish: Urban ponds, day-ticket lakes, estate lakes
- Best Regions: Kent, Essex, West Midlands
- Top Baits: Bread on surface, sweetcorn, scopex boilies
- Tips: Try floating baits in the midday sun; early mornings also produce when fishing the margins.
May is prime time to catch carp near the surface — pack your bread and stay mobile!
🐊 2. Pike – Post-Spawn Predators
- Activity Level: ⚠️ Aggressive
- Where to Fish: Canals, deep lakes, river backwaters
- Best Regions: Norfolk, Fens, Scottish lochs
- Top Lures: Soft jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, paddle tails
- Tips: Focus on shallow edges with cover – pike are feeding up post-spawn and are extremely reactive to flashy movement.
🎯 3. Perch – Consistent Bites in Canals & Rivers
- Activity Level: 🔄 Stable
- Where to Fish: Grand Union Canal, River Lea, Midlands canals
- Best Baits: Worms, drop-shot lures, micro-jigs
- Tips: Fish around structures – moorings, lock gates, bridges. Use light gear for maximum action.
Drop-shotting small lures near cover is deadly in May.
🐓 4. Bream – Shoaling Up
- Activity Level: 📈 Increasing
- Where to Fish: Slow rivers, deep stillwaters, reservoirs
- Best Regions: River Trent, River Severn, Fenland drains
- Top Baits: Method feeder with corn or pellet, groundbait mixes
- Tips: Fish late afternoon for best feeding activity. Use fine rigs and feed consistently.
🐟 5. Roach & Rudd – Excellent Float Fishing Targets
- Activity Level: ⚡ Active
- Where to Fish: Farm ponds, canals, rivers
- Best Baits: Maggots, bread punch, hemp
- Tips: Perfect for beginner-friendly sessions. Use light float tackle and small hooks.
🎣 Bonus: Trout Season Still Going Strong
- Activity Level: 🌤️ Weather-dependent
- Where to Fish: Chalk streams, stocked fisheries, Scottish burns
- Top Baits: Dry flies, small Mepps, nymphs
- Tips: Fish early mornings or evenings. Target rising fish with dry fly on calm days.
📋 General May Fishing Tips (UK)
- ✅ Watch the Weather: Fish are most active before pressure drops or right after light rain.
- ✅ Fish Early or Late: May sun can reduce mid-day feeding – dawn and dusk are peak times.
- ✅ Stay Mobile: Don’t blank in one spot – if there’s no bite in 30 minutes, move!
- ✅ Match the Hatch: Use natural baits or imitations that reflect what’s in the water now (worms, insects, small fish).
📌 Final Thoughts
May in the UK is full of life, and the fishing reflects that. Whether you’re after hard-fighting carp or light-tackle perch, there’s no better time to hit your local venue.
Keep checking our weekly reports for specific regional bite updates, and make the most of the spring fishing window before summer heat slows things down.
🎣 Tight lines and tight rigs!
