Shropshire Union Canal – Nantwich Stretch

Fishery guide · Cheshire

Shropshire Union Canal – Nantwich Stretch

A cracking Shropshire Union Canal stretch around Nantwich, running from bridges 90 to 93. It mixes narrow canal, wider water and a sizeable basin, with bream, perch and a good spread of everyday canal species on the books.

“7.9/10 — A varied canal with carp, tench, bream, perch, pike and plenty of other listed species.”

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The lowdown

The Shropshire Union Canal around Nantwich is a proper mixed canal venue, running between bridges 90 and 93 on the outskirts of town. It’s managed and ticketed through Prince Albert Angling Society, with a season-permit setup rather than timed day-ticket sessions. Handy if you fancy keeping things flexible and moving between swims.

  • 2 lakes: Shropshire Union Canal bridges 90–93 stretch, Large basin within the bridges 90–93 section
  • Fish: carp, tench, perch, roach, bream, pike, rudd, eel
  • Tickets from: Season permit — any age, Shropshire Union Canal bridges 90–93 — £15
  • Find it: Nantwich · CW5 5LD

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Shropshire Union Canal – Nantwich Stretch

Nantwich · CW5 5LD

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The full rundown on Shropshire Union Canal – Nantwich Stretch

The Shropshire Union Canal around Nantwich is a proper mixed canal venue, running between bridges 90 and 93 on the outskirts of town. It’s managed and ticketed through Prince Albert Angling Society, with a season-permit setup rather than timed day-ticket sessions. Handy if you fancy keeping things flexible and moving between swims.

There’s a bit more variety here than a standard narrow canal slog. The documented stretch includes traditional narrow canal, a wider section and a large basin, so you’re not stuck fishing one uniform-looking trench. The basin gives you a broader bit of water to explore, while the narrower sections offer the usual canal features — towpath edges, far-bank cover and plenty of margins to investigate.

The species list is a cracking one. Carp, tench, perch, roach, bream, hybrids, pike, rudd, eels and gudgeon are all listed. The basin is reported to contain a significant head of bream, and specimen perch are reported from the area too. That gives you plenty of options, whether you fancy a float session, a bit of feeder work or a predator approach when conditions line up.

Boats navigate the canal, so timing is worth thinking about. Early doors and the last knockings may be advantageous, before or after the main boat activity. On a new canal stretch, it pays to spend a few minutes watching the water before clipping up. Check the margins, look for movement and note where the towpath line changes. A light float setup, small feeder kit and a few different hooklength options would give you room to adapt without lugging the whole tackle shop.

Access is helped by multiple entry points, with roadside parking available along Marsh Lane and Taylor Drive. The nearby Canal and River Trust listing gives the towpath as always open. Fishing is generally available year-round unless the controlling club states otherwise, but night-fishing permission isn’t published for this specific section. That’s definitely one to check with the club before planning a cheeky overnighter.

The season permit is £15 for any age and covers the Shropshire Union Canal bridges 90–93 section, running from 1 January to 31 December. No separate day-ticket price, opening-hour schedule or fishery-specific booking calendar is published. Carry the required Environment Agency rod licence where applicable, as the permit information doesn’t state that it’s included. Nearby facilities around Nantwich include water, pump-out, toilets and showers near Bridge 92, with Nantwich Basin End, Chester Road, Acton, Nantwich, CW5 8LB listed as the location.

Straight from anglers online

Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.

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Shropshire Union Canal – Nantwich Stretch FAQs

How much is the permit?

The published season permit is £15 for any age and covers the Shropshire Union Canal bridges 90–93 section.

Where does the fishing stretch run?

The documented section runs between bridges 90 and 93 near Nantwich.

Can I book a timed session?

No fishery-specific booking calendar is published. The official route is a season permit rather than timed session booking.

Are there toilets and showers nearby?

Yes. Water, pump-out, toilets and showers are listed near Bridge 92.

Where's the nearest tackle shop?

We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Shropshire Union Canal – Nantwich Stretch. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Nantwich.

Do I need to bring food?

We haven't seen any food on site, so bring your own grub and drinks. A flask and a stove (where allowed) make a long day much better.

Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?

Yes — roadside parking along marsh lane and taylor drive. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.

What's the postcode for the sat nav?

CW5 5LD.

How much is a ticket?

Season permit — any age, Shropshire Union Canal bridges 90–93: £15. Prices last checked 2026-10-09 — they can change, so check before you go.

Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?

Shropshire Union Canal – Nantwich Stretch isn't day-ticket water — Shropshire Union Canal bridges 90–93 stretch, Large basin within the bridges 90–93 section are members or syndicate only.

What fish are in there?

Across the lakes you'll find carp, tench, perch, roach, bream, pike, rudd, eel. See each lake tab for which fish live where.

How many lakes are there?

2 — Shropshire Union Canal bridges 90–93 stretch (Not published), Large basin within the bridges 90–93 section (Not published).

Is night fishing allowed?

It depends — No night-fishing permission is published for this specific section.

Can I bring my dog?

Not covered in the rules we've checked. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.

Are bait boats allowed?

We haven't seen a bait-boat rule listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.

Do I need barbless hooks?

Most UK fisheries prefer barbless or micro-barbed hooks — ask on arrival if unsure.

Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?

Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.

Is it suitable for disabled anglers?

We haven't seen disabled access listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.

Do I need a rod licence?

Yes — anyone 13 or over fishing in England and Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence (or Natural Resources Wales in Wales), on top of your fishery ticket.

When's the best time of year to fish here?

Late spring through autumn is prime for most species. Check our live weather edge for this venue before you go — it updates daily.

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