Eden Valley

The River Eden Catchment covers some 2,500 square kilometres; it is one of the most geologically and botanically diverse river catchments in the UK.
A giant horseshoe shaped band of limestone extends from the source above Kirkby Stephen, opening onto the Carlisle and Solway Plain in the North. The tributaries draining this limestone are some of the most productive in the Eden Catchment.

In the far west of the valley are the north eastern fells of the Lake District National Park, the Haweswater Reservoir (free fishing) and Ullswater (more free fishing), North of which are the Caldbeck Fells.

The Eastern flanks of Eden lie in the North Pennines, stretching northwards from the Yorkshire Dales National Park to Hadrian’s Wall.

The River Eden and tributaries is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a candidate Special Area of Conservation, home to European Otter (Lutra lutra), Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar), White Clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), Brook Lamprey (Lampetra planeri), River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis), Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), the Water-Crowfoots (Ranunculus sp.) and Alluvial Alder Woodland (Alnus sp.).

Close Season for Fishing on the River Eden and its Tributaries:

Salmon; Close Season
15th October – 14th January
Catch and Release: 15th January – 15th June

Migratory Trout; Close Season
1st October – 31st March

Brown Trout; Close Season
1st October – 14th March

Grayling; Close Season
15th March – 15th June