Macclesfield Canal – Congleton Stretch

The Congleton Anglers Society Macclesfield Canal – Buglawton stretch runs from Bridge 68 on Buxton Road to Bridge 66 towards Macclesfield. Bridge 68 is also known as Buxton Road Bridge, so that’s the landmark to aim for when getting your bearings. Walk under Bridge 68, then the fishery section is to the left. Nice and simple once you’re there.

• 1 lake: Macclesfield Canal – Buglawton stretch
• Fish: perch, roach, rudd, tench, carp, barbel, bream
• Tickets from: Senior/veteran society rate reported for 2024 — £35
• Find it: Congleton · CW12 3PH

Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.

The Congleton Anglers Society Macclesfield Canal – Buglawton stretch runs from Bridge 68 on Buxton Road to Bridge 66 towards Macclesfield. Bridge 68 is also known as Buxton Road Bridge, so that’s the landmark to aim for when getting your bearings. Walk under Bridge 68, then the fishery section is to the left. Nice and simple once you’re there.

This is proper canal fishing rather than a lake session, with roughly 0.5 kilometres of water and around 30 pegs. The towpath gives access along the stretch, so there’s room to have a wander, look at a few swims and pick the one that gives you the best signs. Give yourself a bit of time before setting up. Canal fish can be tucked in tight, out in the track, or sitting in cover you might miss at first glance.

Perch are the main attraction, with roach, gudgeon and ruffe also present. Tench turn up too, while occasional carp, barbel and bream add a cheeky bit of variety. It’s coarse fishing water, but the fishery isn’t described as stocked, so go in with a flexible head rather than expecting a guaranteed bag of lumps. A light float or feeder approach could be a sensible starting point, then tweak things once you’ve seen how the swim looks.

For a new canal stretch, keep the first visit mobile. Have a look along the margins, check for depth changes and watch for any signs of fish before committing to one peg. Bring a few options in the tackle bag, such as float gear, light feeder kit and bait that lets you search at different depths. Perch, roach, gudgeon and ruffe may keep a session busy, while the occasional larger fish means it’s worth having tackle that won’t fold if something better comes along.

Access is via Buxton Road and steps down to the towpath. There’s no parking immediately beside the canal, with St Johns Road and Pirie Road suggested as parking areas. There’s also extra parking on the road immediately left when turning into St Johns Road. Don’t block residents’ driveways. It’s a small bit of etiquette, but it matters. Bridge 66 is an accommodation bridge with no public right of way across it, so stick with the towpath for moving along the stretch.

The main thing to sort before setting off is the club position. This water is linked with Congleton Anglers Society membership rather than a published standalone day ticket. No opening times, ordinary booking process, closed-season schedule or night-fishing policy are published for the stretch. Check current membership, permits, night access and rules with the club before travelling, using karlrogers1968@outlook.com. Then it’s just a case of packing sensibly, respecting the towpath and seeing what the canal serves up.

Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.

Videos linked by the fishery

• Our read

  Checked Sept '26 — “A compact, club-controlled canal stretch in Buglawton, running between Bridges 68 and 66 with roughly 30 pegs. It’s a proper coarse-fishing bit of water, with perch leading the way and a mixed supporting cast.”

This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.