Updated: May 2025
Wondering when is the best time to catch your target species in the UK? This 2025 fishing calendar breaks down each month by fish activity, seasonal patterns, and top tips – from pike and carp to trout and bream.
Whether you’re a coarse, game, or predator angler, this guide helps you plan every session more effectively.
🧭 January – Cold Waters, Big Pike
- 🎯 Active species: Pike, perch (limited), grayling (fly)
- ✅ Best tactic: Dead baiting for pike in deep lakes or canals
- 📍 Where: Norfolk Broads, Fen drains, midlands canals
- Note: Cold water slows fish down, so go deep and slow.
🌧️ February – Still Slow, But Rewarding
- 🎯 Active species: Pike, chub, grayling
- ✅ Tip: Small rivers warm faster – try trotting maggots for chub
- Weather sensitive month – pick mild windows for better activity.
🌼 March – Pre-Spawn Predators
- 🎯 Active species: Pike (before close season), perch, trout
- ✅ Top method: Lures and spinners near shallows
- ⚠️ Reminder: Coarse fish close season starts March 15th on rivers
🌸 April – Trout Rise, Stillwaters Open
- 🎯 Active species: Trout (fly), perch, bream (early)
- ✅ Fly tip: Use dry flies like March Brown or buzzers
- Canals and stillwaters are prime during this transition month.
🌿 May – Carp & Bream Wake Up
- 🎯 Active species: Carp, bream, tench, roach
- ✅ Tactic: Method feeder with pellets for bream & tench
- Shallower venues heat up fast – great for surface carp
🌞 June – Full Activation
- 🎯 Active species: Carp, tench, perch, roach
- ✅ Tip: Try dawn or dusk to avoid mid-day heat
- 🆓 Rivers reopen June 16 – massive bite increase post-close season
🌊 July – Warm Water Frenzy
- 🎯 Active species: Carp, tench, catfish
- ✅ Surface baits: Bread, dog biscuits for carp
- Be aware of oxygen drops during heatwaves – early AM sessions are better.
🌻 August – Holiday Bites
- 🎯 Active species: Carp, zander (canals), perch
- ✅ Try urban canals: Great summer bites near bridges
- Family-friendly month, many public spots are free and active.
🍂 September – Predator Season Begins
- 🎯 Active species: Pike, perch, chub
- ✅ Lures & spinners back in action
- Watch temperature drops – triggers feeding before colder months.
🍁 October – Prime Pike Time
- 🎯 Active species: Pike, zander, perch
- ✅ Tip: Target windy banks in large reservoirs
- Aggressive feeding before winter slowdown – big lure season.
🌫️ November – Slow But Strategic
- 🎯 Active species: Pike, grayling, perch
- ✅ Best in canals/lakes: Use deadbaits and go deep
- Short days = time your session carefully (late morning to early afternoon)
❄️ December – Winter Lunkers
- 🎯 Active species: Pike, grayling
- ✅ Tip: Static dead bait rigs for big pike
- Fewer bites but higher quality – time for patience & persistence
🧠 Bonus Tip: Track Weather & Pressure
Fish activity in the UK is strongly linked to air pressure and temperature. Use a fishing weather app to plan better days – especially around pressure drops before storms.
📌 Final Thoughts
This UK fishing calendar for 2025 helps you know what to target each month, improve success rates, and enjoy every season.
🎣 Save or print this guide – and come back every month for bite-specific reports.
