Woodend
Self Catering Holiday Cottages

Devoke Water

Just a 10 minute walk from Woodend lies Devoke Water. It is the largest, and one of the highest, tarns in the Lake District, and lies on the Fell, half a mile to the west of the road between Ulpha and Eskdale. It is at an altitude of 770 feet (223m), has a depth of 46 feet, and is almost a mile in length.

It is a paradise for fishermen and close enough for a short walk or forms the start of a circular walk which runs back along the fell road towards the Woodend Gate returning back down the road to the cottages.

Within twenty minutes walking you can be at the top of Devoke Seat where, on a clear day, you have a 360 degree panoramic view that includes Devoke Water, the Langdales, the coast and the Isle of Man.

On the higher ground of Water and Rough Crag to the north there are lovely views up Eskdale and the Scafell range.

Devoke Water itself houses brown trout and perch for the fisherman with fishing rights held by Millom Anglers and licences are available.

As well as offering excellent walking Devoke Water has a number of ancient bronze age settlements.

However for the walker it is the peaceful surroundings and great views which attract – something unusual on such a large expanse of water.

Over the years there have been many disputes regarding the right to fish in Devoke Water. In 1605 the Stanleys went to the extreme lengths of making the tenants at Woodend sign an agreement that prevented them from fishing the streams that ran into the tarn; regardless of the fact that these were actually on Ulpha Land.

During the mid eighteenth century the Stanley family employed a fisherman from Dalegarth, who would in turn charge locals 2 shillings for the right to fish in here. They were so concerned about fish stocks that the tarn was closely watched during the spawning season. It looks as though their biggest issue was with the residents from Ulpha. The bailiff, Henry Hartley was known to break the rods of any Ulpha residents he caught fishing the tarn; once again this was done regardless of the fact that they were fishing on Ulpha land at the south side of the tarn.

The fishing rights are held by Millom Angling Association a day pass can be obtained locally that enables you to fish on two still waters, Devoke water and a nearby reservoir as well as seven sections of nearby river.

Tickets can be purchased on a daily or weekly basis which covers all the waters costing £20 per day £80 per week.

Fishing Permits can be purchased online by clicking here
Fishing Permits

or at
Broughton Information Centre
email broughtontic@btconnect.com

As well as Devoke Water, the Millom and District Angling Association Day Permit also covers a number of river fisheries.

Generally, these are smallish, spate rivers where the fishing, mainly for salmon and sea trout, will very much depend upon river conditions.

Fishing Permits can be purchased online by clicking here
Fishing Permits

Salmon - 1st February until 31st October
Sea Trout - 1st April until 30th September
Brown Trout - 15th March until 30th September

Devoke Water

It takes about ten minutes to walk to Devoke Water if accessed through the farm

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