October Fishing in Wales: Fish Species to Target This Autumn

Autumn fishing in Wales offers a wealth of opportunities, from hard-fighting river grayling, stillwater rainbow trout, to pike, perch, carp and a variety of sea fish.

As the leaves turn and temperatures fall, October is a month when anglers can enjoy some excellent sport across Wales, with plenty of options in both freshwater and saltwater.

October is a month of changing conditions, shorter days and cooler water, but it can also be one of the most rewarding times of year to go fishing in Wales.

Rivers are beginning to settle into their autumn rhythms, stillwaters can produce some excellent sport and the Welsh coastline offers opportunities for a wide variety of species.

Whether you enjoy fly fishing, coarse fishing or casting from the shore, there is plenty to target.

Grayling – the lady of the Welsh autumn rivers

For many anglers, October marks the beginning of the prime grayling season. Often called ‘the lady of the stream’ by anglers grayling thrive in the cool, oxygen-rich waters of a good number of Welsh rivers and provide exciting sport throughout autumn and winter.

The River Dee, upper Wye, River Severn, Taff, Rhymney and several of their tributaries offer opportunities for grayling fishing, with some excellent fish present in suitable stretches.

Fly fishing with small nymphs, spiders and occasionally dry flies can be highly effective, particularly when fish are feeding steadily in clear water.

Trotting with a float and maggots or other permitted baits can also be productive, where regulations allow.

October is an especially appealing time to explore the upper reaches of Welsh rivers such as the Wye and Irfon, when autumn colours, crisp mornings and active fish combine to make for memorable days on the water. The Fishing Passport has lots of grayling options.

Wild Brown trout – the final days of the stillwater season

While the river season closed on 30th Septmber, Mid-October brings the close of the brown trout season on many Welsh wild trout stillwaters, with the 17th of October the last opportunity to target natural brown trout in wild upland waters.

Examples include Aberystwyth Angling Club, Elan Valley, Talybont Reservoir, Ogwen Valley and most of the Cambrian Angling Association.

Please note: Some NRW ‘named’ upland lakes are already closed, or may have closed due to club rules, so always check with the permit issuer and the bylaws.

Pike – autumn predators come into their own

October is an exciting month for pike anglers, as cooling water and the changing seasons bring renewed opportunities to target these freshwater predators. A good number of Welsh lakes, reservoirs, canals and some rivers hold pike, with larger waters offering the chance of a memorable fish, for example Llangorse lake, Bala, Pontsticill Reservoir, Trawsfynydd and Brenig.

Deadbaiting, lure fishing and, where suitable, fly fishing can all produce results. Try areas around weedbeds, drop-offs, submerged features and the margins where prey fish gather. As the water cools, pike may become increasingly active, although conditions and feeding patterns vary considerably between venues.

Perch – colourful autumn sport

Perch are another excellent target in October. Their striking colours and willingness to attack small lures make them a popular choice for anglers who enjoy active fishing, while larger specimens can provide a real challenge.

A good number of Welsh reservoirs, lakes, canals and fisheries offer perch fishing. Lure anglers can try small soft plastics, spinners and jigs, working them around structures, submerged weed and deeper margins. Float fishing with worms and other permitted baits can also be effective.

Autumn is a particularly enjoyable time to search for perch, with fish often feeding around shoals of smaller prey fish. A light spinning outfit and a selection of small lures are all that is needed for an enjoyable day exploring new waters.

Carp, tench, bream and other coarse fish – stillwater opportunities

Although the days are getting shorter, October can still offer productive coarse fishing, particularly on well-stocked lakes and commercial fisheries. Carp remain a popular target, with fish often feeding during warmer spells and ahead of colder weather.

Boilies, pellets, sweetcorn and other familiar carp baits can all be worth trying, with feeding strategies adjusted to suit the temperature and activity of the fish. Shorter sessions during the warmest part of the day can be rewarding, particularly when conditions are settled.

Roach, bream, rudd and perch are also worth targeting on stillwaters and canals. Feeder fishing, waggler fishing and pole fishing can all produce excellent sport, depending on the venue. Tench become less predictable as the water cools, but may still be caught early in the month, particularly during mild weather.

Barbel and Chub – coarse river fishing magic

River species worth considering in autumn include chub, barbel and dace in our coarse fishing rivers, particularly where local conditions and the fishery rules allow. The Wye and Severn systems are well known for their coarse fishing, and autumn can be a rewarding time to explore them.

Salmon and sea trout – the last chance on game rivers

For migratory game anglers, October brings the final opportunities of the season for salmon and sea trout on Welsh rivers.

Autumn running fish and changing river levels can create opportunities, although catches are highly dependent on rainfall, water conditions and the individual catchment.

Most Welsh rivers close on 17^th October for salmon and sea trout.

Some North Wales rivers have salmon seasons extending to 31st October, including the Conwy, Ogwen and lower Seiont.

Most river fisheries have additional restrictions on methods and permitted baits, and anglers should pay particular attention to the catch-and-release rules and the need for barbless hooks.

All salmon caught in Welsh rivers must be returned, and additional release requirements apply to sea trout. Check the current NRW byelaws and local fishery rules before fishing.

Sea fishing – bass, rays, whiting and more

October is an appealing month for sea anglers, with the possibility of a changing mix of summer and winter species. Bass remain an important target, particularly around estuaries, rocky ground and surf beaches, while the first colder-weather species may begin to appear as sea temperatures fall.

Bass can be caught on lures, bait and fly, with estuaries and shallow coastal marks offering opportunities when conditions are suitable. Soft plastics, surface lures and shallow-diving plugs can all be worth carrying, especially when fishing around tidal features and baitfish.

As autumn progresses, codling and whiting may begin to feature more regularly in catches, alongside dabs and other flatfish. Beach fishing with suitable bottom rigs and baits such as lugworm, ragworm and squid can be productive when tides and weather align. Rocky marks and deeper water can also offer pollack, wrasse and bull huss.

The Welsh coastline provides a huge range of options, from the beaches and estuaries of South Wales to the rocky shores of Pembrokeshire, the Lleyn Peninsula and Anglesey. Always check tides, swell, access and local restrictions, particularly when fishing exposed coastal marks.

Rainbow trout – stocked fisheries remain open

For anglers who prefer stillwater fly fishing, October can be a good month to visit stocked rainbow trout fisheries. Unlike wild brown trout, rainbow trout have no statutory close season in Welsh stillwaters, although individual fisheries can set their own opening dates and rules.

Reservoirs and purpose-built trout fisheries can offer excellent sport as temperatures fall. Fishing methods vary with the venue, but floating lines, intermediate lines and a selection of traditional trout patterns, nymphs and lures provide a useful starting point.

Autumn can also be a particularly attractive time to visit the larger Welsh reservoirs, with dramatic scenery, quieter banks and the opportunity to combine a day’s fishing with a visit to some of Wales’s most beautiful landscapes.

Have fun and buy your licence!

Before setting out, check the relevant NRW fishing byelaws, the fishery’s own rules and ensure you have a day ticket or club permit for the venue.

A valid rod licence is required for freshwater fishing in Wales for all anglers aged 13 and over.