River Great Ouse – Radwell

The lowdown

• The railway bridge is the handy dividing line here. Above it, the river is deeper and slower; below it, things turn shallower and weedier. That’s the main difference to keep in mind when choosing your swim.
• Fancy the deeper side of the stretch? Look above the bridge. The club describes slower water here too, so don’t picture the whole mile as one uniform bit of river. There’s a clear change in character.
• Below the bridge, weed is a bigger part of the picture. Streamer weed and bankside rushes provide fish-holding cover, giving this shallower section its own appeal. Those features are worth keeping firmly in mind when weighing up a swim.
• The named fish make a cracking mixed-river line-up: roach, barbel, chub, perch, dace, pike, bream and gudgeon. There’s no need to dress that up with catch promises — it’s a varied list in its own right.
• Verulam describes both banks as generally lightly fished. Worth noting, though: the opposite bank belongs to another angling club. Quiet-looking water across the river isn’t an invitation to wander over and set up there.
• Getting in means a locked gate followed by a short walk. Vehicles can reach parking near the railway bridge when ground conditions permit. Keep that condition in mind rather than banking on driving right down every time.
• The fishing season runs from June 16 to March 14 inclusive. Pike have a tighter window, October 31 to March 14, and they’re excluded from night fishing. Other night fishing is allowed without booking.
• This is working countryside, so mind the crops and respect livestock. Have your compulsory mat ready and a suitably sized landing net available too. A little preparation keeps the practical side bob on before you settle into a peg.

Methods: Let the contrasting water guide your approach: deeper and slower above the bridge, shallower and weedier below. Streamer weed and bankside rushes are the named fish-holding features to bear in mind when choosing a swim.

Access & tickets

Apply through Verulam Angling Club’s 2026–27 new-member form; the published membership season is June 16, 2026 to June 15, 2027, subject to availability. Members arranging guest tickets online must allow at least 48 hours for processing, payment and membership verification; more than one guest ticket per member is permitted on the Great Ouse.

Fish the club names

roach, barbel, chub, perch, pike, bream

Key rules

• Fishing is permitted from June 16 to March 14 inclusive; pike fishing only from October 31 to March 14.
• Night fishing is permitted without booking, but pike fishing at night is excluded.
• An unhooking mat measuring at least 36 × 18 inches and 1 inch thick is compulsory and must be ready for use at all times.
• A suitably sized landing net must always be available. Keepnets are allowed.
• Two rods may be used, positioned no more than two metres apart.
• Avoid damaging crops and respect livestock.
• Members remain responsible for their guests and must ensure they know the rules.
• Fishery-specific rules apply alongside the general club rules.

River level

Where it is