River Derwent
River Derwent
- Boat Ramps
- 1
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 16
The River Derwent is one of England's most celebrated fishing rivers, with multiple distinct waterways sharing the name flowing through Cumbria, Derbyshire, and Yorkshire. The Cumbrian Derwent rises beneath Scafell Pike, flows through Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake, passes through the rolling countryside of the Derwent Valley and the town of Cockermouth, and ultimately enters the Irish Sea at Workington — a journey through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Lake District National Park. The Derbyshire Derwent flows for 66 miles through rural Derbyshire, passing through Chatsworth Park and the village of Matlock Bath before continuing south. The Yorkshire Derwent runs for approximately 100 miles from its source at Lilla Rig on Fylingdales Moor, through the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, the Vale of Pickering, and the Vale of York before joining the River Ouse. Together, these rivers offer an extraordinary diversity of fishing experiences, from wild salmon and sea trout runs in Cumbria to classic chalk-stream-style trout and grayling fishing in Derbyshire and coarse fishing in Yorkshire.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at River Derwent and what's needed to catch them.
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on River Derwent. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on River Derwent
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
England licenses and regulations
England Boating Regulations
Canal & River Trust is the navigation authority for most inland canals and rivers in England and Wales, covering boat licences, registration, and rules of navigation. For coastal/sea boating the national Maritime & Coastguard Agency guidance applies instead.
England Fishing License
An Environment Agency rod fishing licence is required to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England. Buy a short-term or annual licence online via GOV.UK; junior licences are free but must be registered.
England Fishing Regulations
The official Environment Agency freshwater rod-fishing byelaws for England: close seasons, size and catch limits, permitted baits and methods, and rod limits. These apply in addition to holding a rod licence.
England Stream Access Laws
Closest official page on public access to land and water in England. Note there is no general public right to fish - fishing rights are privately owned, so you need the owner's or club's permission or a permit even where access on foot exists.
Take River Derwent with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around River Derwent to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for River Derwent to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish River Derwent and check the forecast before you go.
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