St Ives Fish Preservation and Angling Society Great Ouse sections — A-D, Chub Stream and Meadow Lane

The lowdown

• This is a spread of named club sections rather than one single continuous peg run: A, B, C, D, Chub Stream and Meadow Lane.
• The river winds through the built-up historic setting of St Ives, so expect town, bridge and riverside-quay character mixed with quieter edges.
• The society describes the water as excellent for roach and bream. Historical club-match reports also mention perch, tench, skimmers, eels, dace and rudd.
• A Section is reached from Meadow Lane in Hemingford Grey. Park before the first gate and keep the farm access completely clear.
• B Section is accessed around the Dolphin Hotel car park. Parking there costs £1 per day, while free bridge parking may be available if there is room.
• C and D Sections, plus Chub Stream, are accessed from St Ives town. Do not block farmers’ access near the Priory Road gate.
• Meadow Lane goes through the St Ives Lakes Fishery complex. It involves a long walk, so the society recommends keeping your tackle light. Bob on for a mobile approach.
• For a session, think sensible river gear: trotting and light float work for roach, dace and rudd, with feeder or float tactics where the flow and swim suit. The crease, steadier glides and quieter edges are the obvious bits to explore.
• The close season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. All fishing is catch-and-release, and fish must stay in a regulation keepnet while you are fishing.
• It is strictly fair rod and line only, with a maximum of two rods. Sort your ticket before travelling, as both day tickets and memberships must be bought in advance.

Methods: Light float gear and trotting should be bang on for the roach, dace and rudd, while a feeder or more static approach could suit bream, tench and skimmers where the swim allows. Keep it mobile on Meadow Lane, where the walk is long.

Access & tickets

Day tickets and memberships must be purchased in advance from St Ives Fish Preservation and Angling Society. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is also required for anglers over 12.

Fish the club names

roach, bream, perch, tench, eel, rudd

Named by St Ives Fish Preservation and Angling Society across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• Only fair rod and line fishing is allowed.
• A maximum of two rods may be used at one time.
• The close season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Catch and release applies to all club waters. Fish must not be killed or removed.
• Fish must be retained in a regulation keepnet while fishing; buckets are not allowed.
• Remove litter from the swims you fish.
• Lighting fires, swimming, cutting trees or branches and camping on the banks are forbidden.
• Do not disturb wildlife or nests.

River level

Where it is