Think commercial fishery you automatically think of big bags of carp and F1’s fishing on an ornate pond or snake lake. However, many anglers don’t realise that some fisheries actually run their own river or canal stretches, many of which rarely see a rod and line. These stretches may not appeal to everyone but what they do offer is easy access to those who love running water; most of which can be fished on a cheaper day-ticket than you would pay to fish the lakes on the same complex. What’s more, you’ll probably have the whole river to enjoy yourself.
A1 Pits, South Muskham, Notts
A cracking section of the River Trent run by the fishery which is renowned for its barbel and bream sport. A classic feeder venue.
07970 209433, Sat Nav: NG23 6EQ
Barston Lakes, Solihull, W Mids
This stretch of Rover Blythe varies between shallow, fast-running stretches to slow moving lengths with deeper holes where an angler can stay for much of the day. There are pike, chub, perch and trout and eels as well as roach.
01675 444890, Sat Nav: B92 0LB
Bax Farm Fishery, Sittingbourne, Kent
A small un-named chalk stream is split into three sections and has some nice fish including carp to around 20lb, chub, tench, roach, bream, rudd and is over 30 feet wide.
01795 520887, Sat Nav: ME9 9BU
Billingford Lakes, Norwich, Norfolk
A 1 mile stretch of fast flowing Wensum ranges in depth from 2ft-6ft. Chub in the 3-5lb range are the top species here. Also to be found is dace, trout, pike, roach and barbel.
01362 788111, Sat Nav: NR20 4RF
Birkwood Farm Fisheries, Wakefield, W Yorks
This four lake complex has recently opened up their own section of the River Calder stocked with trout, chub, gudgeon, roach, rudd, perch and barbel.
01924 892251, Sat Nav: WF6 2JE
Bluebell Lakes, Oundle, Northants
This section of the River Nene runs right next to the lakes and contains everything from small silverfish to big barbel and carp.
01832 226042, Sat Nav: PE8 5HP
Broadlands Fishery, Southampton, Hants
Two rivers meet on the complex, the Test and the Blackwater. Both hold a variety of coarse fish from roach to pike and chub as well as grayling.
023 8086 9881, Sat Nav: SO40 2RX
Catterick Lakes, Scorton, N Yorks
A quality section of the River Swale containing mainly roach, chub and barbel but there are also perch and grayling to target.
07816 200590, Sat Nav: DL10 7LF
Cosgrove Park, Milton Keynes, Bucks
River Great Ouse, The River Tove and the Grand Union Canal are all within the park to go with its 13 lakes which can be fished by booking a touring caravan pitch. A great angling holiday venue.
01908 563360, Sat Nav: MK19 7JP
Docklow Pools, Leominster, Hereford
Two beautiful stretches of the rivers Wye and Teme offering anglers staying on site or with yearly memberships the opportunity to target big fish like barbel to over 12lb, chub as well as roach and bream to double-figures. A venue often visited by our very own Dave Harrell.
01568 760256, Sat Nav: HR6 0RU
Hacketts Lakes, Nottingham, Notts
The tiny Polser Brook, a River Trent tributary, runs through the complex. When the weather cools big bags of roach can be caught using a whip or waggler.
07798 702 053, Sat Nav: NG12 2LD
Hallcroft Fishery, Retford, Notts
A fast flowing stretch of the River Idle containing barbell to 8lb, chub to 4lb, dace and gudgeon amongst other species. Available on a day-ticket you can fish a stick float or ledger with baits like meat and maggot.
01777 710448, Sat Nav: DN22 7RA
Hall Lane Fishery, Bispham, Lancs
The River Douglas which is around 3m deep, contains mainly chub and dace. Ideal venue for trotting a float with baits like bread.
07766 141388, Sat Nav: L40 3SD
Larford Lakes, Stourport, Worcs
80 pegs of River Severn fishing, offering 50lb-plus bags of barbel to 10lb, chub and bream with both feeder and float tactics are equally effective.
01299 829373, Sat Nav: DY13 0SQ
Lea Valley Park, Broxbourne, Herts
The Hertford and Ware Joint Angling Club run Lea Navigation runs through the park and available on a day ticket. This year bream nets over 50lb have fallen to feeder and red maggot or corn tactics.
07907 212035, Sat Nav: EN2 9HG
Manor Farm Fishing, Biggleswade, Beds
A meandering, 3-5ft deep stretch of the River Ivel which is renowned for its big fish from barbel to specimen perch, eels, chub and roach.
01767 317835, Sat Nav: SG18 9BB
Manor Farm Leisure, Evesham, Worcs
Two sections of the Warwickshire Avon which are prolific specimen barbel spots. Every year at least 50 double –figure fish are caught on these stretches. Its so good AT’s own Martin Bowler once called it: ‘Britain’s best barbel river’
01386 870039, Sat Nav: WR11 8PA
Monk Lakes, Marden, Kent
2000m of the River Beult which you can fish day or night. The fishing is challenging but rewarding with quality perch, chub, roach, carp, tench, bream and pike to go at.
01622 833332, Sat Nav: TN12 9BS
Tunnel Barn Farm Fisheries, Shrewley, Warks
One of the most popular fisheries in the Midlands but few people know that it also runs a 2.5 mile section of the Grand Union Canal from the tunnel at Shrewley up to Rowington. Silverfish along with carp and bream to 6lb are abundant.
01926 842188, Sat Nav: CV35 7AN
Shiplate Farm Fishery, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
A challenging 0.5 mile stretch of the River Axe on site which is known to produce bags of bream over 150lb.
07895 852162, Sat Nav: BS24 0NY