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Fishing near me | Best rivers for big roach

If you want to catch a big roach from flowing water, these are the best stretches to do so!

by Freddie Sandford |

Updated on24th October 2025 at 6.42am

Roach have to be one of the best species in the UK to catch. They can be found in lakes, rivers, canals and reservoirs, and they feed pretty much all year. They become a reliable target for anglers in the colder months, when they are at their peak weight and other larger species like barbel are a far tougher target.

Roach are no pushovers, however, especially big ones! Whilst they will have a go in even the very worst and coldest conditions, their feeding periods will become incredibly short on those days, so you have to take your chances.

With this in mind, rivers are a reliable spot to visit for a big roach, as anglers can time their trips around water levels and colour. Perhaps the best time to visit them is when they are fining down after a big flood, you want the water to have a touch of colour but not too much, and the pace needs to be comfortable for them. They will like slack water but anything boiling and swirling all over the place can make fishing difficult.

Here then are some of the best big roach stretches to target this season...

River Welland, Spalding, Lancashire

Controlled by Peterborough & District AA this stretch produces some spectacular bags of redfins on bread tactics. Punch and hempseed are a deadly combo.

Contact: Granz Angling, 01775 712206 Web: www.fishinginpeterborough.co.uk

CATCH YOURSELF A NETFUL OF REDFINS WITH ONE OF THE BEST FISHING POLES.

River Ribble, Preston, Lancashire

As temperatures drop, roach sport begins to hot up on the Ribble. Stick float tactics with hemp and casters will produce. There’s free fishing on the London Road stretch.

Contact: Wayne’s Tackle, 01772 729229

River Don, Sprotbrough, South Yorkshire

On this deep, slow-flowing Doncaster DAA stretch, pole and whip tactics work well, fishing maggots or casters over groundbait.
Contact: 01302 376689 Web: www.ddaa.co.uk/

River Wye, Hereford, Herefordshire

Big hauls of quality roach are on the cards in the winter months, with 2lb fish a real possibility. No river in the country can compete with the Wye in winter form.

Contact: Woody’s Angling Centre, 01432 344644

TACKLE THE RIVER USING ONE OF THE BEST SILVERFISH FLOAT RODS IN THIS BUYERS GUIDE.

River Severn, Stourport, Worcestershire

The Severn has been in great roach form this season, with fish well over 2lb showing. Birmingham AA offers superb fishing on the venue, and a club book is great value.

Contact: 01562 882116

River Trent, Bleasby, Nottinghamshire

The stretch at Bleasby is a haven for those in search of glistening nets of roach.
Great bags are possible on the feeder a blend of 2mm pellets and groundbait with a corn hookbait will select the better fish.

Contact: Matchman Supplies, 0115 9813834 Web: www.nottinghamanglers.co.uk

DISCOVER HOW TO CATCH BIG ROACH IN A RIVER ON THE FLOAT WITH THIS HELPFUL GUIDE.

River Ouse, Harrold, Buckinghamshire

Olney & Clifton FA’s stretch at Upper Harold has produced good nets of roach in recent weeks, with hemp and casters the baits to use.

Contact: 07980 439147 Web: www.olneycliftonfishing.co.uk

River Thames, Sandford, Oxfordshire

Sandford Meadow is well-known for roach, with pole and waggler tactics both successful. The excellent-value Littlemore AS controls the fishing.

Contact: Ace Tackle and Bait, 01865 372066 Web: www.littlemoreanglingsociety.co.uk

Hampshire Avon, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

No list of roach rivers would be complete without the iconic Hampshire Avon, and the day-ticket stretch at Fordingbridge is a banker for big redfins.

Contact: Riverside Kiosk, 07539 797510

YOU WILL PUT THE BEST SILVERFISH REELSTO WORK ON THESE VENUES.

River Frome, Wareham Quay, Dorset

One of the most well known spots for big roach, regularly producing fish to over 3lb, with 4lb fish caught in the past. Feeder and float tactics score well.

Throop Fishery, River Stour, Dorset

Whilst not in huge numbers, there are some very special roach lurking amongst the specimen chub at this famous fishery. Target the School Bridge area with bread to catch them.

Contact: 01425 475155 (Ringwood Tackle) Web: www.ringwoodfishing.co.uk

King’s Sedgemoor Drain, Somerset

This iconic South West match venue has been in great form, with 20lb roach bags winning recent matches. Bridgewater AA offers day tickets.

Contact: 01278 457755 Web: www.bridgwaterangling.co.uk

River Yare, Langley, Norfolk

Pole tactics can bring good nets of roach to a positive approach here, feeding hemp and casters.

Web: www.riveryarefishing.co.uk

THE BEST FISHING WHIPS CAN BE GREAT TOOLS FOR CATCHING ROACH ON THE RIVER.

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