Can you fish at Burnmoor Tarn?

Yes, Burnmoor Tarn has a genuine wild brown trout fishery and a historical angling tradition. The National Trust owns it, and it's known for being remote enough that you'll likely fish in complete solitude—catching anything feels properly earned rather than guaranteed.

Why is Burnmoor Tarn called a tarn when it's so big?

It's one of those Lake District naming quirks—at 23.9 hectares, Burnmoor is actually larger than several bodies of water officially called lakes. Despite being the largest tarn in the national park and reaching 13 metres deep, it's stuck with "tarn" status whilst smaller places get to call themselves lakes.

How do I get to Burnmoor Tarn?

The most direct route is the old corpse road that runs between Wasdale Head and Boot in Eskdale. You'll need to make a deliberate effort—it's about a mile across moorland and isn't on the way to anywhere popular, which is exactly why it stays so quiet.

Think the Lakes Are Special? Meet the Tarns

Burnmoor Tarn: When a Tarn Has Better Fishing Rights Than Most Lakes

Sitting at 253 metres between Wasdale and Eskdale, it's nearly a kilometre long and deep enough for brown trout that see fewer anglers than Windermere's pike. It's also on nobody's route to anywhere, which keeps it quieter than bodies of water a tenth the size.

27 August 20267 min read