Fishing might not be the first hobby that comes to mind when you think of things to do in Liverpool. Yet, a resurgence of fishing in and around the city makes this a great activity that’s becoming easier to carry out in different places.
The Resurgence of Fishing as a Hobby
We can see evidence of the current popularity of fishing on TV shows such as Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. This programme shows comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse travelling around the country to find the best fishing spots while talking about life, and it’s proved to be such a success that two more seasons were announced this year.
Another place where the hobby can be found in the list of slingo bingo online games. This is a cross between bingo and slots with a big selection of different titles based on a variety of themes. Among the most popular titles are Slingone Fishin’ and Fishin’ Frenzy Prize Lines, both of which use images such as fish and anglers to create the right atmosphere.
Some of the Places to Go Fishing in Liverpool
The major reason why fishing is now so accessible around the River Mersey is that the Mersey Basin Campaign and other organisations have worked hard to clean up the water. Once described as the most polluted river in Western Europe, the success of the sustained clean-up operation has seen fish, including salmon, returning to the Mersey. Five different types of shark have been detected here recently as well.
One of the best places to start fishing here is at St Helen’s Canal, with the Pilkington Glass factory section one of the favourite spots among locals. It’s not the quietest place to go fishing due to its relatively central location, but there’s a fascinating history here about how hot water pumped out by the nearby factory made the fish grow bigger and even led to tropical species living in the water. For this reason, it’s still known as The Hotties even though hot water is no longer pumped in.
It’s also worth knowing that there are many angling lakes around the city, with free fishing permits on the majority of them. Liverpool City Council lists options such as Calderstones Park, Larkhill Park, and Newsham Park as places where you just need to apply online for a permit and make sure that you have an annual rod licence issued by the Environment Agency.
Birkenhead Docks is a good spot for catching some whiting, while Liverpool Marina is renowned for the variety of flatfish, silver eels, and cod that can be caught here. Otterspool Prom gives you the chance to reel in similar types of catch to the Marina. Further afield, Seaforth Rocks adds dogfish and thornback rays to the possible catches, although you’ll need to be careful as some parts of this area require fishing permits.
It’s easy to see why fishing has become such a well-loved hobby in and around Liverpool. There are plenty of places to do this and it’s one of the most accessible pastimes for anyone looking to spend some time outdoors and enjoy some great scenery while relaxing.