Trent and Mersey Canal – Middlewich Stretch

The Trent and Mersey Canal – Middlewich Stretch is a proper club-controlled canal run by Middlewich Joint Anglers. It starts at Kings Lock in Middlewich and runs north-west to Bridge 147 at Hassall Green, near the former Romping Donkey pub. So, there’s a fair bit of water to think about, rather than one small lake with every angler squeezed round the same few pegs.

• 1 lake: Trent and Mersey Canal – Kings Lock to Bridge 147
• Fish: carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd
• Tickets from: Night permit — £90; cash-only
• Find it: Middlewich · CW10 0JJ

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

The Trent and Mersey Canal – Middlewich Stretch is a proper club-controlled canal run by Middlewich Joint Anglers. It starts at Kings Lock in Middlewich and runs north-west to Bridge 147 at Hassall Green, near the former Romping Donkey pub. So, there’s a fair bit of water to think about, rather than one small lake with every angler squeezed round the same few pegs.

This is towpath-side fishing, with all the usual canal carry-on. Walkers can pass close by, boats can move through, and a quiet-looking swim can change in a heartbeat. Nothing too dramatic, but you’ll want to keep your gear tidy, stay aware of what’s happening behind and in front of you, and be ready to adapt when the towpath or channel gets busy.

The fishing is mainly mixed coarse, and the reported species list is a decent one. Roach, rudd, perch, bream and tench are all on the cards, with the stretch able to provide bags of silver fish. Carp are also reported, while pike add another string to the bow. It’s the sort of canal where a simple approach can still keep you busy, especially if the fish are on the munch.

There’s room for different styles here. Float fishing is an obvious shout for roach, rudd and perch, while feeder or leger tactics should suit the broader mixed-fishing brief. Carp anglers have opportunities too, although no stock figures, fish weights or specific carp claims are published. If it’s your first visit, take a couple of options rather than boxing yourself into one plan. A float rod, feeder gear and enough tackle to cover changing conditions would be a sensible starting point.

As with any new canal stretch, have a proper look before committing. Watch for signs of fish, note where the towpath is quieter, and pay attention to how boats and walkers affect the swim. Ask the club what areas are fishing well, whether any sections have local quirks, and which bait or method is proving popular. Checking access and parking arrangements before loading the barrow is also a smart move, as no on-site parking, toilets, café or tackle shop facilities are confirmed on the official pages.

Daytime anglers without a night permit may fish from sunrise until before sunset. Night fishing needs a Middlewich Joint Anglers night permit, and the published price is £90, cash-only. Photo ID and the old permit are required when buying one. Night members must book before fishing by text, between 8am and 6pm, up to three days ahead, with requests handled first-come, first-served. A quick check with the club before setting off is bob on, especially if you’re planning a longer session.

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 proper mixed-coarse canal run from Kings Lock in Middlewich up to Bridge 147 at Hassall Green. Expect silver-fish sport, carp chances and a bit of towpath-and-boat-traffic reality.”

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.