River Great Ouse – Sharnbrook

The lowdown

• There’s a fair bit to get your bearings around here. The club describes its river stretch as running from the viaduct north of Sharnbrook Mill, through the pit complex and Bletsoe, down to Radwell Bridge.
• This isn’t one samey bit of river. Wide and narrow sections sit alongside shallow and deep water, so don’t treat every swim as a carbon copy. That variety is the big feature to keep in mind.
• Barbel and chub are the main draw in the club’s description. If either is your thing, they’re the named highlights here — rather than a promise that any particular peg will do the business.
• It’s not all about those two, either. The club also names perch, carp, bream and silver fish, giving the stretch a broader appeal if you fancy something other than a barbel-or-chub session.
• Fancy staying after dark? Night fishing is permitted on the river stretch. Keep the shelter choice bob on, though: bivvies aren’t allowed on these riverbanks, while umbrellas with or without storm sides are fine.
• For sections G and upper FR, the map points you towards Sharnbrook Mill Theatre car park, MK44 1NP. Display your club parking permit, and leave the grass alone — parking on it is prohibited.
• For sections ER and lower FR, use the Moor End Lane approach at Radwell, MK43 7HY. Parking is also available within the pit complex, but seasonal restrictions apply and there’s no bankside parking.
• A little access housekeeping saves faff: lock the pit-complex gate after use, and never use the railway viaducts to cross the river. Bringing a junior member? They must have an adult with them on this water.

Methods: The club highlights barbel and chub fishing, but doesn’t specify particular methods here. With shallow, deep, wide and narrow sections, let the swim shape your approach rather than treating the whole stretch alike.

Access & tickets

Apply for annual Vauxhall Angling Club membership through Clubmate via the club’s membership page. Have a head-and-shoulders photo, your full address and rod-licence number ready.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, perch, carp, bream

Key rules

• No bivvies on Sharnbrook riverbanks; umbrellas with or without storm sides are allowed.
• Display your club parking permit. No bankside parking or parking on the grass at Sharnbrook Mill; observe seasonal parking restrictions.
• Lock the pit-complex access gate after use. Do not cross the river using railway viaducts.
• Do not remove fish from club waters or transfer them between waters.
• Specimen anglers must use a suitable unhooking mat.
• Keepnets must hold no more than 50 lb of fish. Where keepnets are allowed, keep carp and silver fish separate.
• Junior members must be accompanied by an adult on this water.
• Clear litter within ten metres of your chosen swim. Metal bait tins are prohibited.

River level

Where it is