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Lower Stour

The Lower Stour runs from Iford to Tuckton, with fishing rights managed by Ringwood & District Anglers Association. It’s a lowland Dorset river reach heading towards Christchurch Harbour, with day tickets available and a cracking spread of named coarse species.

Run by Ringwood & District Anglers Association · checked 12 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Iford Bridge gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open River Ready

The lowdown

  • This is the association’s Lower Stour water, running from the Iford area down towards Tuckton and Christchurch Harbour.
  • The named fish list includes barbel, bream, chub, carp, roach, perch and pike. Dace and eels are also mentioned, along with various sea-fish species.
  • Coarse fishing runs from 16 June to 14 March. Trout and salmon fishing are stated to be in season.
  • Normal fishing hours are sunrise to two hours after sunset. Fancy staying later? You’ll need the river-bank night permit.
  • A club key is required, so don’t rock up without sorting that bit first. Day tickets are available for the Lower Stour.
  • There’s no stated peg count or total fishable length, so expect to find your swim rather than working from a numbered-peg plan.
  • The rules are nicely clear: all fish go back, no bivvies, and you can’t remain more than 24 hours in the same swim.
  • Boat fishing is available to members, but trolling is banned. No boats, canoes or kayaks are allowed above Iford Bridge, while boat fishing below Tuckton Bridge needs the relevant permit.
  • Access and parking points listed include Iford Road, Old Bridge Road, the Recreation Ground on Iford Lane, Meridians off Stour Road and the Bowls Club on Barrack Road, subject to permission.
  • Watch the overhead powerlines. The association recommends keeping at least 20 metres away. Dogs are fine, but must be kept on leads.

Methods: The facts don’t specify a preferred approach, so match your tackle to the named coarse species and the river conditions. Trotting, feeder work or a well-placed leger would be sensible starting points where the flow and swim allow.

Access & tickets

Standard day ticket

Two rods and a full day.

£14 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

OAP, disabled-angler and junior day ticket

Two rods and a full day.

£10 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Standard one-week ticket

Two rods.

£80 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Arrange membership or ask about guest tickets through Ringwood & District Anglers Association, and make sure you have the required club key. Public day tickets aren’t advertised here; the club’s ordinary day-ticket offering is restricted to Throop and Lower Stour.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, chub, eel

Key rules

  • Day tickets cannot be used during the closed season.
  • A club key is required.
  • No bivvies are allowed.
  • Anglers may remain no longer than 24 hours in the same swim.
  • All fish must be returned to the water.
  • Dogs are allowed on leads.
  • Members may fish from a boat, but trolling is prohibited.
  • No fishing from canoes or kayaks above Iford Bridge, and no boats are allowed above Iford Bridge.
  • Boat fishing below Tuckton Bridge requires the relevant permit.
  • Stay at least 20 metres from overhead powerlines.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

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