Fishing at Selset Reservoir, County Durham, England

• Overview

  Set in County Durham, Selset Reservoir is an England water. Everything around it is mixed woodland. It measures some 269 acres, and wind has room to build across it. Shoreline length is close to 4.5 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. By elevation it is in the upper part of our England listings. The town to know is Barnard Castle, 9.4 miles out. Kirkby Stephen is 11 miles away, with Stanhope at 12 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Selset Reservoir

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Reported across County Durham: brown trout, rainbow trout and European eel. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. Selset Reservoir fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 14°C, the coldest about 2°C. The season stretches long at both ends here. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. It sets the rhythm of the year at Selset Reservoir. Water colour tells you more than the air temperature does.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. National rules still apply whatever the bank status. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. The nearest alternative is Grassholme Reservoir, 1.8 miles out. Check the current arrangement for Selset Reservoir.