Joining Fishing and Boating Holidays

For those who want both a real boating vacation and some fishing, you can. Some locations are ideal, while others will frustrate you in both boating and fishing. Here are some places that actually work.

Right Options in the UK

Norfolk Broads. You can hire a boat for the week, fish whenever you like, and cruise around at your leisure. Pike and perch are frequent catches, and you do not need a license for the Broads. The boats are slow enough that you can troll a lure and go in between pubs. Don’t expect big catches, but it’s certainly a nice way to fish.

The Scottish Lochs are different. There are holiday cottages that include a boat for hire, and during your fishing pike, perch, and sometimes trout. There’s a loch you can stay at called Loch Awe, and Loch Lomond also has accommodation. The fishing improves compared to the Broads, but you’re not living on the boat which is a plus for some people.

Caledonian Canal offers you a chance to fish whilst cruising the Highlands. The canal links several lochs so you are given more variety. Loch Ness has pike and trout but catching those fish in such a deep water loch can be tricky. The smaller lochs are easier. Book with companies that allow fishing on their hire boats – not all do.

European Destinations

French canals are brilliant for those who want straight line cruising and the chance to fish. The Canal du Midi has carp and pike and cat fish. You are offered a French fishing permit, for about €30 that covers the majority of the waters. At least the food and wine is better than the UK, that makes up for slow fishing at times.

Netherlands waterways have great fishing. The boat hire companies around Friesland and Holland are used to anglers and so provide good storage for fishing equipment. Pike, perch and zander are very common. The downside to this is the countryside floors, they can be boring if you’re used to Scottish scenery.

Swedish archipelagos are beautiful but pricey. Renting boats in Stockholm and Gothenburg allows for island hopping and fishing for pike, perch, and sea trout. The fishing is incredible. However, the boat rentals are expensive for the world. Also, fishing gear must be brought or purchased since rentals don’t include it.

What Doesn’t Work Well

Mediterranean yacht charters are perfect in theory but not in reality. The boats are costly and fishing regulation changes from one to another country and is not enforced by the majority of charter companies. Also, fishing is not encouraged as hooks get stuck in the expensive boats.

Irish waterways are supposed to be great, but the possibilities are limited. The Shannon holds pike and coarse fish, but it seems like boat rental companies are more focused on non-fishing customers. You can make it work, but it’s more difficult than the Norfolk Broads.

Practical Considerations

Compacted fishing gear is essential as boats do not have space for full-sized rods and big tackle boxes. Travel rods and one small tackle box are more than sufficient.

Confirm any required licences ahead of your trip. An Environment Agency licence is required in the UK for rivers (excluding the Norfolk Broads). Every European country has its own regulations and the penalties for fishing without the right permits are steep.

Having no expectations for an amazing catch is wise. Moving about on a much noisy boat while fishing tends to be unproductive, not to mention you are likely to fish in areas you aren’t intentionally trying to fish.

For those unaccustomed to boats, narrow canal boats are much easier to navigate than large yachts or cruisers on wide, open water.

The best experiences are those where you are able to do each of your planned activities. You should be able to fish in the morning or evening while you are moored, and then have a cruise during the day. It is unusual to get both done easily when you are trying to do do both at the same time.