Dorset
Places to fish in Dorset
Last updated: 2 weeks ago
Fishing Marks in Dorset
Abbotsbury Beach
A classic section of Chesil’s steep shingle, Abbotsbury Beach offers fast access to deep water close in. It fishes well through the year: summer brings mackerel, garfish and scad in clear water, plus smoothhounds and rays to crab or fish baits; autumn into winter produces whiting, pouting, dogfish and the...
Alum Chine
Alum Chine is a wide, sandy section of Bournemouth’s Poole Bay between Durley and Branksome Chines. It’s a clean-ground beach backed by a promenade and wooden groynes, with easy, year-round access and facilities close by. Fishing is best on a flooding tide into and after dusk when bathers thin out....
Anvil Point
Prominent rocky headland by the lighthouse at Durlston, offering deep, kelpy water close in and strong tidal flow. Best in settled weather with a flooding tide, especially dawn/dusk through late spring to autumn for pollack, wrasse, mackerel and garfish; winter can see whiting and pouting after dark. Access is via...
Arish Mell
A secluded shingle cove within the Lulworth Firing Ranges between Mupe Bay and Worbarrow Bay. Mixed ground: clean sand in the centre with kelp-covered rock and boulders at both ends. Deepens fairly quickly and fishes best on a flooding tide into dusk. Access is restricted to range-open days and the...
Avon Beach
A gently shelving sandy/shingle beach in Christchurch Bay between Friars Cliff and Mudeford Quay. Avon Beach offers easy access, parking and facilities, making it popular. Fishing is best on a flooding tide into dusk and after dark when anglers can reach the outer sand bars. Expect winter whiting and dogfish,...
Baiter Park
A flat, easily accessed harbour shoreline inside Poole Harbour with firm paths, slipways and patches of shingle over mud and sand. Shallow for long distances at low water, with gullies and channel edges that fish best on the flood and around high tide. Classic winter flounder venue and a reliable...
Fishing in Dorset
Summary
Dorset’s south-coast shoreline runs from Lyme Regis to Christchurch, mixing high Jurassic cliffs, the famous Chesil shingle bank, rocky headlands around Portland and Purbeck, and wide, sandy bays into Poole and Bournemouth with two large estuarine systems (Poole and Christchurch Harbours). It’s a top UK sea-angling destination thanks to variety: summer bream, bass and mackerel; smoothhounds and rays from surf and shingle; prolific wrasse and pollack on the rocks; plus sheltered harbour options year-round.
Location and Access
• West Dorset (Lyme Regis to West Bay):
- Small harbours and mixed ground. Lyme’s Cobb offers mackerel, garfish and wrasse in summer; flounder and pollack possible. West Bay gives access to rougher ground and the start of Chesil; good for bass after a blow and general summer species.
• Chesil Beach (West Bay/Abbotsbury/Cogden/West Bexington/Chesil Cove):
- Iconic steep shingle with deep water close in. Summer black bream, mackerel, scad, gurnard, plaice, sole; smoothhounds and rays after dark; winter whiting and pout. Distance casting helps but fish often patrol the surf line in colour. Extremely hazardous in swell.
• Portland & Portland Bill:
- Rock ledges, kelp gullies and fast tides. Pollack, wrasse, bass, conger; occasional tope/smoothhound encounters. Lure and float fishing excel in clear water; ledger for conger/rays at night. The Portland tidal race is dangerous—choose marks with care.
• Weymouth Bay & Portland Harbour:
- Friendly access with piers and sheltered water. Stone Pier and Pleasure Pier produce mackerel, gar, wrasse, pout, bass; autumn squid under lights. Portland Harbour holds bass, flounder, gilthead bream and mullet in season; good LRF venue.
• Purbeck Coast (Ringstead, Durdle Door/Lulworth, Kimmeridge, Swanage/Durlston):
- Rock and reef interspersed with small coves. Kimmeridge ledges and Durlston produce wrasse, pollack, gar, and summer bream; bass in surfy coves after onshore blows. Swanage Pier is a classic beginner mark (variety plus squid in autumn). Some coves within MoD ranges (Worbarrow, Mupe) open only when ranges are not firing.
• Poole Bay & Bournemouth (Studland, Sandbanks, Boscombe/Branksome):
- Long sandy beaches and groynes with clear-water summer fishing: plaice in spring, bream and mackerel June–September, rays on evening tides, bass on onshore surf. Studland and Sandbanks can be very productive on the flood with crab/sandeel.
• Poole Harbour & Christchurch/Mudeford:
- Huge sheltered estuaries with channels, mudflats and banks. Spring plaice, summer gilthead bream and bass (especially on crabs), autumn flounder; mullet throughout warmer months. The Run at Mudeford is powerful—great for mackerel/gar on the flood and bass at dusk, but treat with utmost caution.
Seasons & Species
Spring (Mar–May)
- Plaice: Poole Bay banks, Christchurch Harbour mouth, Sandbanks; best on sunny neaps with long snoods and beads.
- Bass: First fish after spring blows; estuary channels on crabs, surf beaches on sandeel/peeler.
- Smoothhound: Arrive late spring on crab baits, especially around Chesil/Portland and Poole Bay.
- Mullet: Thick- and thin-lips show in harbours as temps rise.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
- Mackerel & scad: Abundant along Chesil, Weymouth/Swanage piers, headlands in clear water.
- Black bream: Peak June–Sept on reefs/clean patches (Chesil, Purbeck). Small hooks, squid/worm.
- Wrasse (ballan/corkwing): Portland/Purbeck reefs on crab/worm/lures.
- Bass: Surf beaches after onshore winds; lures at dawn/dusk; harbours on the flood.
- Rays (thornback/undulate): Evening/night over sand/mixed ground; release undulates.
- Smoothhound: Strong through July on peeler/crab cart.
- Garfish: Float tactics off piers/ledges.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
- Bass: Prime time—big fish in surf and estuaries; lures and big baits.
- Squid & cuttle: Oct–Dec from Weymouth and Swanage piers after dark on egi jigs.
- Plaice/sole: Late runs from clean ground and harbour mouths at night.
- Bream: Fades by late Oct but still around in settled spells.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Whiting, pout, dogfish: Chesil, piers, open beaches on night tides.
- Flounder: Poole/Christchurch systems on ragworm; variable year to year.
- Occasional codling after strong easterlies, but increasingly scarce.
Notes
- Gilthead bream now regular in Poole/Christchurch May–Oct.
- Undulate ray are present across Dorset—photograph and release.
- Check current bass retention rules (bag limits, size, and dates change).
Methods & Tackle
• Beach/shingle (Chesil/Poole Bay):
- Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–5/0) for bass/rays/hounds; clipped-down up-and-over for distance; 2–3 hook flappers size 2–1 for general species; wishbone rigs for plaice.
- Leads: 4–6 oz grip leads on shingle/surf; plain leads for slow drifts over sand.
- Lines: 15–18 lb mainline with 60 lb shock leader for casting; heavier leaders (80 lb) for rays/conger.
• Rocks/ledges (Portland/Purbeck):
- Lures: 20–40 g metals, slim minnows and soft plastics for bass/pollack; weedless softs around kelp.
- Float: Rag/sandeel/strip for gar, mackerel, pollack.
- Bottom: 30–50 lb braid, abrasion-resistant leaders; rotten-bottom link over rough ground.
• Piers/harbours (Weymouth/Swanage/Poole):
- LRF: 1–7 g rods, small metals/isome for wrasse, blennies, scad, mini species.
- Float and sabikis for mackerel/scad; small bream rigs near reefy patches.
- Squid: Size 2.5–3.0 egi jigs at dusk/after dark autumn–early winter.
• Estuaries (Poole/Christchurch):
- Ledgering with running rigs for plaice/flounder (size 2–4 hooks, long fluorocarbon snoods, beads/spoons).
- Gilthead/bass: crab baits on strong size 1–2/0 hooks; simple running ledger or pulley.
- Lures for bass: weightless/weedless soft plastics over shallow flats and channels on flooding tide.
• Baits: Ragworm, lugworm, peeler/hard crab, squid, mackerel strip, sandeel; live sandeel/whitelings for bass/pollack where available. • Presentation: Scale down hook size and snood diameter in clear water for bream/plaice; upsize and use strong mono (25–30 lb snoods) for rays/hounds. Night sessions often outfish days.
Tides and Conditions
• Prevailing winds SW–W bring swell to Chesil and West Dorset; light E–SE gives clear water and calmer seas for bream, mackerel, wrasse and lure fishing. • Onshore winds and stirred water switch on bass along Chesil, Purbeck coves and Poole Bay surf beaches—especially on a building tide and at dusk/dawn. • Big spring tides increase tide run at Portland Bill, St Aldhelm’s/St Albans and Mudeford Run—great for predators but hazardous. Neaps can suit bream/plaice and finesse lure work. • Poole and Christchurch Harbours fish best on moving water—often last 2 hours of flood and first of ebb in main channels; avoid peak ebb at narrow entrances for safety. • Clarity matters: clear = better for lures, bream, wrasse; coloured = better for bass/rays. After a blow, wait for dropping swell but retaining colour. • Unsafe conditions: any significant swell on Chesil (even 2–3 ft can be dangerous on the steep bank), strong wind-over-tide at Portland Bill and exposed ledges, and spring-tide surges at harbour mouths. If in doubt, do not fish.
Safety & Acccess
• Chesil Beach: Steep shingle with severe undertow—keep back from the water’s edge, never turn your back on waves, and avoid in any meaningful swell. Pack light; the shingle is hard going. • Cliffs/ledges (Portland/Purbeck): Unstable edges and falling rock. Wear grippy footwear and a personal flotation device; use a headtorch with spare batteries; avoid solo sessions on remote ledges. • Tide races: Portland Bill, St Aldhelm’s/St Albans and Mudeford Run are powerful—choose benign tides and conditions; be prepared to relocate if swell or wind-over-tide builds. • Harbours/estuaries: Deep, fast channels with soft mud—keep to paths and firm ground; be aware of boat traffic and no-fishing zones near ferry berths (Poole/Weymouth). • MoD ranges (Lulworth/Tyneham): Access to Worbarrow, Mupe and some cliffs is restricted during live firing. Check MoD opening times and obey signage. • Parking/access: Popular car parks at West Bexington, Cogden, Abbotsbury, Ferrybridge, Chesil Cove, Kimmeridge, Durdle Door, Swanage, Sandbanks and Hengistbury—pay-and-display common. Respect residents, gates and farm access. • Regulations: Southern IFCA byelaws apply; some nursery areas (e.g., Poole/Christchurch) have specific rules. Check current bass, wrasse (local conservation), and ray guidance; practice catch-and-release where appropriate.
Tips
• On Chesil, a gentle swell with coloured water at dusk is prime for bass—fish big sandeel or whole squid on a pulley pennel close to the surf line. • For spring plaice off Sandbanks/Poole Bay, use long fluorocarbon snoods (3–4 ft), size 2–1 hooks, minimal bait (rag/shellfish) and bright beads/spoons. • Black bream like clear water and small baits—use size 4–2 hooks with squid belly strips; keep leads just heavy enough to hold. • Portland wrasse love hard crab—present on a simple paternoster with a rotten-bottom link to save gear over kelp. • Squid fishing on Weymouth/Swanage piers is best an hour after dusk on a flooding tide; work jigs slowly under the lights. • In Poole/Christchurch, the first push of flood often triggers bass—crab or weedless soft plastics along channel edges. • When mackerel are scarce, swap from heavy feathers to single sabiki/float with small slivers of fish—less splash, more bites in clear water. • Night fishing transforms Dorset marks: sole, rays and hounds move tight in—scale your light/visibility and stay organised. • Check MoD range times before planning Purbeck coves (Worbarrow/Mupe); access can be superb when open and quiet. • Carry a long-handled drop net on piers/rocks—landing wrasse, bream and squid safely saves fish and tackle.
Nearby
• Devon (East Devon): Mixed beaches and reefs of Lyme Bay continue west—plaice in spring, bass and wrasse in summer. • Hampshire: Sandy bays and piers around the Solent—rays, bream and bass; ferries and strong tides near entrances. • Isle of Wight (by ferry): Steep beaches and tide races—codling in cold snaps, bream and bass in summer. • Somerset (northwest inland border): Leads to the Bristol Channel further north—huge tides and muddy estuaries, noted for rays and codling in season.
FAQs
• Do I need a licence to sea fish in Dorset?
- No rod licence is required for sea fish, but you do need one if targeting salmon/trout/eels in estuaries/rivers. Check local byelaws and bass regulations.
• Is night fishing allowed?
- Generally yes from beaches and many rock marks. Some piers have restricted hours—check Weymouth/Swanage/Poole guidance before travelling.
• Where’s best for beginners?
- Weymouth and Swanage piers, sheltered sections of Chesil in calm weather (near car parks), and Poole Bay beaches offer easy access and mixed species.
• When is the best time for mackerel?
- Typically June to September on calm, clear days—dawn and dusk are most reliable along Chesil and the piers/headlands.
• Can I keep bass or rays?
- Rules change. Check current bag limits, sizes and seasons. Undulate rays should be released; many anglers also release large breeding bass and wrasse for conservation.
Summary Table
| Area/Region | Access | Best species | Best methods | Prime season | Key safety notes | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Dorset (Lyme–West Bay) | Harbours, promenades, short walks | Mackerel, wrasse, bass, plaice | Float/lure, light ledger, sabikis | May–Sep | Swell on open beaches; harbour rules | Parking, tackle/bait in Lyme/Bridport |
| Chesil Beach (incl. Abbotsbury–Bexington–Cove) | Multiple car parks, long shingle walks | Bream, bass, rays, smoothhound, mackerel, sole, whiting (winter) | Pulley pennel, clipped rigs, feathers | May–Oct (winter for whiting) | Steep shingle, undertow; avoid in swell | Toilets/refreshments at main car parks |
| Portland & Bill | Rock ledges, longer walks/scrambles | Pollack, wrasse, bass, conger | Lures, float, strong bottom gear | May–Oct | Tide races, swell, loose rock | Limited parking; no facilities on ledges |
| Weymouth Bay & Portland Harbour | Piers, seawalls, sheltered harbour | Mixed species, squid, mullet, bass | LRF/float/sabikis, egi, light ledger | Jun–Nov (squid Oct–Dec) | Pier rules, boat traffic | Shops, food, toilets nearby |
| Purbeck (Kimmeridge–Swanage/Durlston) | Ledges, pier, coastal paths | Wrasse, pollack, bream, gar, bass, squid | Float/lure, small baits, egi | Jun–Sep (squid Oct–Nov) | Cliff edges, MoD range closures | Car parks; pier facilities |
| Poole Bay (Studland–Bournemouth) | Beach access, groynes, promenades | Plaice, bream, rays, bass, mackerel | Long snoods for plaice, pulley for rays, lures | Apr–Oct | Rip currents in surf, swimmers/boards | Ample parking, amenities |
| Poole & Christchurch Harbours | Quays, paths, banks (check byelaws) | Plaice, gilthead, bass, flounder, mullet | Running ledgers, crab baits, light lures | Apr–Oct (flounder into winter) | Fast tidal streams, soft mud, boat traffic | Cafes, bait shops in towns |