Pool and River Fishing in North Herefordshire

If you’re looking for pool and river fishing in North Herefordshire then Pearl Lake, Arrow Bank and Rockbridge Country Holiday Parks have surely got what you’re looking for. There’s an ancient ice age lake, a recently created carp pool and two historic rivers with all the challenges you could need. If you’re looking to fish Discover Parks, you’ll need a current EA rod licence.

Fishing at Pearl Lake 

Pearl Lake was created from a kettle hole – a depression in the ground left behind when a block of a ice breaks off a glacier. Originally called  the New Decoy Pool, Pearl Lake wasn’t mapped before 1774, but was likely to be have been enlarged by workers on the Bateman Estate to attract wildfowl and ducks which were then shot for the table at the ‘Big House’.  

The 15 acre lake sits in an idyllic and peaceful location at Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park.  It’s set amongst some dense woodland, particularly on its western side and is a proper carp anglers paradise. Both mirror and common carp are here in numbers and various sizes (up to 25lbs in 2025), but there’s also great tench (5-10lbs) fishing, with bream and perch in lesser numbers.

Fish facts

Carp are prized for their size, strength, and cunning nature. They thrive in still waters and can grow to impressive weights. Patience, stealth, and well-chosen bait—like sweetcorn or boilies—are key to success. Hooking a big carp offers an unforgettable test of skill and endurance.

Tench are elegant, olive-green fish known for their fighting spirit and preference for quiet, weedy lakes. They’re most active on warm, still mornings. A delicate float setup with maggots, worms, or sweetcorn can tempt them.

Perch are aggressive predators recognised by their striking stripes and spiny fins. Light spinning tackle and small soft plastics work brilliantly. They offer fast-paced sport and are ideal for lure enthusiasts.

Bream are classic coarse fish, often shoaling in deep, slow-moving waters. Their bronze flanks and high backs make them easy to spot when netted. Groundbaiting is vital—sweet, fine mixes with maggots or caster.

Fun fact – around the edge of Pearl Lake you’ll see hundreds of swan mussels. These native molluscs filter debris from the lake and feed on small organisms.

Where to fish on Pearl Lake

The swims are varied– some are open while others are hidden away in the woods surrounded by weeping willows, rhododendron bushes or great gnarled oak trees that must be 500 years old. These places are ideal for anglers who like to quietly stalk their fish!

Do your research

Pearl Lake Holiday Home owner Rob Heath, from Nantwich, has been fishing in the lake since 2019. He says that understanding the lake is key to good catching. “You need a bit of patience to find out where the best clean spots are to cast. The lake has some Canadian pond weed so work with the weed to find the best areas.

“Ideally the best places to fish are clear spots close to the weed. The weed is full of natural food and is also a hiding place for the fish so plenty can congregate there. Once your bait is presenting and not caught in weed, it’s a case of wating. I use sweetcorn and boilies for bait. You should get some tench with that or play the longer game if you’re waiting for larger carp.”

Pick your spot

Understanding where the fish are comes with experience of the lake. Rob says during the season, fish feeding times change – sometimes it’s all day, others it’s just in the morning and evening: “Don’t be afraid to fish in the margins or around the lily pads.”

“If you’re new to Pearl Lake, make sure you speak to anglers on park, then can give you good tips. We have half a dozen dedicated carp fishers but could do with a few more! The more bait going in the bigger the fish will grow,” says Rob Heath.

Building for the future

Discover Parks has an ongoing carp stocking programme at Pearl Lake which has yielded some excellent results for anglers over the 2025 season.

Fishing at Arrow Bank (Jennifer’s Pool)

Jennifer’s Pool is a fairly new addition to the Discover Parks fishing portfolio. Situated in a peaceful area at Arrow Bank Country Holiday Park it’s just under an acre and is populated with mirror and common carp. There are also one or two roach.

There are 14 pegs around the pool and they’re allotted on a first come first serve basis. Regular anglers say that pegs 1 and 2 often offer up the most fish. (Heads up – these pegs are on the left as you go in by the gate). Carp in the pool are smaller than at Pearl Lake having been introduced as stockies when the pool was established in 2023. Stockies are carefully bred to grow on and build the pools population. Our anglers have been watching the stockies mature into larger specimens – one of the joys of modern carp fishing.

Good days, bad days

On a good day, regular Jennifer’s Pool angler and Arrow Bank homeowner, Tony Bunn says he’ll catch around 5 fish, but on a really good day it could be as many as 10. The carp currently weigh in between 4 and 8lbs.

Fishing on the River Arrow at Arrow Bank

There’s no denying it, as the picture above shows so well, the River Arrow as it passes through Arrow Bank Country Holiday Park is absolutely idyllic. Babbling over the rocky bed, there are small beaches accessed by the wooded banks. Overhanging trees can make casting a challenge, but the rewards for patience can be amazing. There’s wild brown trout, grayling, chub and dace to be caught.

Conditions can change quickly if there’s rain upstream in the hills of Powys. Waters can rise and colour fast so reading the river is key. Fishing on the Arrow Bank stretch of the river is more about enjoying the connection to water and the countryside as much as it is about landing big fish!

Fishing on the River Lugg at Rockbridge

The River Lugg (Afon Llugwy in Welsh as Presteigne in in Powys!) is a tributary of the River Wye. It borders the touring site at Rockbridge Country Holiday Park and there are some ideal stretches for fishing. It’s not too fast flowing so fishing can be quite a serene experience.

The river bed is mainly gravel so there are opportunities for fly fishing. Similar to the Arrow, the Lugg is home to brown trout and grayling. The Lugg holds its flow well even in dry spells meaning it’s a reliable choice for anglers whatever time of the year.