For anglers in Wales, the upcoming month promises an exceptional chance to get outdoors, cast a line, and enjoy what should be a productive autumn season – finally thanks to some decent weather!

With long-term Met Office forecasts confidently predicting ‘high pressure’ and mild, settled weather throughout November, Wales’ diverse waters — both freshwater and coastal — are set to offer some of the best conditions we’ve experienced in the last few years; for a wide range of species.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to the scene, this is one November you won’t want to miss!

Freshwater Fishing: Carp, Grayling, and Pike

Stillwaters across Wales are well primed for carp this autumn, which are more active in stable, mild temperatures, especially in the larger bodies of water and syndicate lakes, where they’ll be feeding hard to prepare for winter.

Dry weather will allow Welsh carpers to enjoy overnight sessions, so they can target specimen carp, which on some of our venues regularly top the 30lb barrier. Below: Gethin Hicks with a 34lb 2oz White Springs carp

For river anglers, grayling season is in full swing, with river flows now steady and stable enough for fly fishing – we have already seen bumper catches on the Dee, Taff, Rhymney and the Wye. We should have a good few weeks to enjoy our grayling rivers at their very best.

Anglers who enjoy trotting maggots and worms for grayling will also find the current conditions much to their liking. Chub and barbel are also there to be caught on rivers such as the Wye. Below: Chub and Grayling from Caerphilly Angling Club water.

Pike, meanwhile, are on the prowl in the lakes and stillwaters — especially during these cooler mornings. There’s no better time to try your hand at lure fishing for a strike, while the fish are still active and on the hunt.

We have already heard of some cracking pike coming from our reservoirs and lakes. Below: Will Millard with a Llyn Ebyr pike, caught on a lure. Look our for a video soon!

Fisheries: Silver Fish, Trout, and More

Wales’ small fisheries are also seeing a surge in activity thanks to the mild, settled weather. For those interested in silver fish such as roach, rudd and skimmer bream, now is the time to head out to local ponds and small stillwaters where these species are still feeding actively.

Trout fishing, in our stillwaters and reservoirs that are stocked with rainbows, is also set to be superb. Water temperatures have fallen to an optimum for trout, and the stable conditions will encourage fish to feed hard, even off the surface, as we have seen on some of our venues such as Llyn Clywedog, where calmer weather has triggered huge buzzer hatches. Below: A dry fly caught rainbow from Clywedog.

Sea Fishing: Bass and Early Cod

On the coast, autumn is typically known for its excellent bass fishing and the first runs of cod. The mild temperatures mean coastal waters will be warmer than usual, creating favorable conditions for bass fishing. Bass can be found all around Welsh coasts, especially in estuaries, along storm beaches and on rock marks with gullies and a good tide rip nearby. Lure fishing can be very productive, as is fly fishing in calm conditions, and of course with various baits.

Early cod are also starting to appear, with reports of good fish in the Bristol Channel already. Summer species such as mackerel, rays and even smooth-hounds are still being caught, as well as the arrival of whiting. With the mild weather they will be around for sometime yet. Below: cod and bass from the Welsh coast this week.

A Rare Opportunity: Perfect Autumn Conditions

Wales’ autumn weather can be unpredictable, with wind, rain – and yet more rain – typically curtailing fishing days. But with this rare period of mild, settled weather, anglers are getting an ideal chance to capitalize on their autumn fishing.

Whether you’re chasing sea fish along the coast, casting into the fisheries for coarse fish, or enjoying the peaceful calm of a local reservoir, this autumn in Wales is shaping up to be a memorable one.

Main Image credit: Adam Fisher Angling Dreams