Cosgrove Park — River Great Ouse

The lowdown

• This is proper river fishing, not a tidy little lake job. The Great Ouse runs through the park alongside the River Tove and Grand Union Canal, giving you a few different bits of water to explore.
• The park describes a variety of locations and opportunities, so mobile fishing is the way to go. Don’t glue yourself to one swim all day if it’s quiet.
• Have a good look at overhanging trees, bends, deeper holes and shallow runs. Those are the obvious fish-holding features and well worth rotating between.
• The flow and depth will vary, especially after rain. The river can flood the park after heavy weather, so keep an eye on conditions before heading out.
• There are some cracking fish reported around here. The park mentions big barbel in the Great Ouse and Tove, plus chub over 8lb from the Great Ouse.
• Roach are reported approaching 2lb, while perch can reach about 3lb. Chub, roach, bream, perch and pike are all named for the Great Ouse around the site.
• Float fishing, ledgering and feeder fishing are all effective approaches. Trotting a float through a run could be bob on when the river has a bit of colour.
• Bait-wise, bread, hemp, maggots, casters, wheat and sweetcorn can all do the business. Keep it simple and change tack if the swim isn’t producing.
• Take care on the banks. They can be steep and slippery when wet, and the rivers are more hazardous than still waters. Vehicles can enter during office hours, but don’t drive onto the grass.
• The statutory coarse-fishing close season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. Outside that, fishing is tied to eligible park users rather than a standalone public day ticket.
• We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Stay mobile and work the features. Float fishing, ledgering and feeder fishing are all on the menu, with bread, hemp, maggots, casters, wheat and sweetcorn worth trying.

Access & tickets

Fishing access is handled by Cosgrove Park for eligible guests and residents, with fishing included in site fees. The published address is Main Street, Cosgrove, Milton Keynes, MK19 7JP.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, roach, bream, perch, pike

Key rules

• Fishing is available to Cosgrove Park guests and residents as part of the site facilities.
• Fishing is included in site fees for eligible park users.
• There is no advertised standalone public day ticket for the river.
• The statutory coarse-fishing close season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• A valid rod licence is required where applicable.
• Children under 13 do not need a rod licence, but supervising adults assisting them must hold a valid fishing permit.
• Take care on steep, slippery banks, particularly in wet conditions.
• Do not drive vehicles onto the grass.

River level

Where it is