Stibbington Fishery, River Nene

River level

The lowdown

• This is a fairly open section of the main river, with the upper limit west of the A1 and the lower limit at Castor Weir.
• Access is via Nene Valley Railway at Wansford Station, postcode PE8 6LR. Park on the road, not in the station car park. The station has a shop and café, handy for a brew.
• Cross the railway bridge, then use the steps down to the bank. Respect the disabled parking spaces near the bridge, and expect it to get busy during railway special events.
• Upstream, there’s a fenced barrier roughly 10 metres from the water. Use the access gates — don’t be tempted to climb the barbed wire.
• The downstream section is fenced for about 250 metres before opening out. Livestock, including longhorn cattle, graze the meadows, so keep gates shut and give them space.
• The railway bridge is deep and is a prime silver-fish spot, especially through winter. It looks the sort of swim worth spending time on when the river’s got a bit of colour.
• There’s a large bream shoal around the downstream pylons. Chub are spread throughout, with five-pound fish fairly common and six-pounders showing each season.
• Pike over 20 lb are regularly caught, while perch to around 4 lb are present. The holder describes it as very mixed, with most river species possible apart from barbel.
• Fishing can continue below Castor Weir into further P&DAA-controlled water when roving. There’s no stated total length or peg count, so this is more about exploring the water than ticking off numbered swims.

Methods: The stretch suits silver-fish fishing around the railway bridge, working the bream area near the pylons, and roving for chub or pike. Fishing below Castor Weir is also possible when roving through further P&DAA-controlled water.

Access & tickets

Day tickets are available online through Peterborough & District Angling Association. The 2026 adult advance ticket is £5, senior is £3 for anglers aged 65 and over, and juniors under 18 are free; booking on the day adds a £2 surcharge. Annual night permits need to be arranged by contacting the association directly.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd, chub, crucian, eel, zander, trout, catfish

Key rules

• An Environment Agency rod licence is required.
• River fishing is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Live freshwater bait is prohibited.
• All fish must be returned alive.
• Use access gates and do not climb the barbed-wire fencing.
• Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
• Night fishing is not permitted; normal hours are one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.

Where it is