South Yorkshire offers 33 mapped fishing waters on PiscaMaps, including 25 rivers, 8 stillwaters. Species found across South Yorkshire's waters include Roach, Perch, Pike, Chub, Trout, Gudgeon, Bream, Tench.
The Yorkshire EA region covers all rivers draining to the Humber estuary. The Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe, Aire, Calder, Derwent and Don are outstanding game and coarse fisheries. Yorkshire rivers are famed for barbel, grayling, wild brown trout and increasingly for chub and bream in the lower reaches.
A valid Environment Agency (EA) rod licence is required to fish all rivers, canals and most stillwaters in South Yorkshire. Licences are available from gov.uk. Club membership or a day ticket is required on most waters in addition to the rod licence.
Click a river for species information, close season dates, access notes and a location map.
29 species recorded across South Yorkshire's rivers, lakes:
| Roach | 20 waters |
| Perch | 17 waters |
| Pike | 12 waters |
| Chub | 12 waters |
| Trout | 11 waters |
| Gudgeon | 8 waters |
| Bream | 8 waters |
| Tench | 8 waters |
| Rudd | 6 waters |
| Eel | 6 waters |
| Dace | 6 waters |
| Grayling | 5 waters |
Carp are a popular target across South Yorkshire's waters — always use a landing net and unhooking mat and return fish promptly.
Barbel fishing is well regarded in South Yorkshire's rivers, particularly through summer and autumn when water temperatures are higher.
Brown trout are present in South Yorkshire's rivers — many are catch-and-release only and may be subject to game fishing close seasons (typically 1 October to 14 March).
Salmon are present in some of South Yorkshire's rivers. A migratory salmonid licence is required in addition to the standard rod licence.
View all rivers, stillwaters and canals across South Yorkshire on the interactive map. Filter by species, water type and access.