Oakwood Park — River Stour

River level

The lowdown

• This is riverside-path fishing rather than a big car-park-and-pegs setup. The club doesn’t give a total length or peg count, so expect a more natural wander-and-find-a-swim sort of day.
• The fishable bank is the southern bank downstream of Canford Bridge. Keep the adjacent walkway and cycle path clear — no spreading tackle across the path.
• The club describes the water as producing large catches of roach and dace. Lovely stuff for a float rod, especially when the river has settled and the fish are on the munch.
• There are bigger possibilities too. Pike over 15 lb, perch and roach over 2 lb, plus chub over 6 lb are the club’s specimen indications.
• The river is prone to winter flooding. After heavy rain, levels can rise rapidly, so check River Stour levels before heading out in winter. Don’t get caught faffing about on a rising river.
• The national coarse-fish close season applies from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. Grayling count as coarse fish for those close-season rules.
• Game fishing opens for trout on 1 April and sea trout on 15 April. Fly fishing only applies in the early game-fishing period until 15 May; suitable lure spinning is allowed after that.
• Trout fishing ends on 15 October, while sea-trout fishing ends on 31 October. All salmon must go back, with Environment Agency salmon rules applying.
• Roadside parking is available in Oakley Lane, with an alternative entrance near Canford School. Dogs must be supervised, and bivvies, tents and fires are not allowed.

Methods: Float-fishing and trotting for the roach and dace look the natural starting point, with feeder work worth considering when the flow has a bit of colour. Pike, perch and the named game fish call for more specialised approaches within the licence rules.

Access & tickets

Access is available through WDAC membership, or with a club guest ticket. The official pages do not publish a separate Becketts day-ticket price; check the club’s current ticket arrangements before heading over.

Fish the club names

pike, perch, roach, chub, trout, rudd, chub, eel

Key rules

• Anglers over 12 must hold a current Environment Agency national rod licence.
• The national coarse-fish close season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Trout fishing is from 1 April to 15 October; sea-trout fishing is from 15 April to 31 October.
• Fly fishing only is allowed during the early game-fishing period until 15 May. Appropriate lure spinning is permitted after 15 May during the game-fishing season.
• All salmon must be returned and Environment Agency salmon rules apply.
• Barbless and micro-barbed hooks only. An unhooking mat and appropriately sized landing net must be available.
• Keepnets are prohibited except in recognised club matches, where knotless keepnets of at least 2.4 metres are required.
• No fish may be taken away except up to six small bait fish per angler per day for use on this water. No fish may be killed or frozen for later use as dead bait.
• Bivvies, tents and fires are prohibited. Traditional umbrellas are allowed only in inclement weather; purpose-designed cooking stoves are excluded from the fire ban.
• Dogs must be controlled, the walkway or cycle path must not be obstructed, and Oakwood Park and Purchases are closed during club matches unless officials agree otherwise.

Where it is