Fishery guide · Gloucestershire
Lydney Canal
Lydney Canal is a roughly one-mile coarse-fishing venue running from the River Severn into Lydney. It’s controlled by Lydney & District Angling Club, with pleasure, match and specimen fishing all advertised.
“6.5/10 — Pleasure, match and advertised specimen fishing give the venue a useful spread of angling options.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Lydney Canal is a proper bit of local angling history. It opened in 1813 as a commercial transport canal, carrying iron and coal from the Forest of Dean. These days, it runs inland from the River Severn to Lydney and forms part of the Lydney Harbour setup.
- 2 lakes: Lydney Canal, Lydney Lake
- Fish: carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike, eel
- Tickets from: Senior day ticket (2014 published price) — £6
- Find it: Lydney · GL15 4EN
Plan your session
Fishery map of Lydney Canal
Pick a pin or venue to see live bank-side conditions.
Community reported
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How busy was it?
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No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Fishery
Lydney Canal
We haven’t got permission to show venue photos here yet. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Lydney Canal
Lydney Canal is a proper bit of local angling history. It opened in 1813 as a commercial transport canal, carrying iron and coal from the Forest of Dean. These days, it runs inland from the River Severn to Lydney and forms part of the Lydney Harbour setup.
The fishing rights are controlled by Lydney & District Angling Club. The canal has been described as offering pleasure fishing and match fishing, while the club has also advertised specimen fishing. So there’s a bit of variety here, whether you fancy a quiet session or getting clipped up for a match.
The canal is approximately one mile long, which makes it a compact venue rather than a huge wander. Canal anglers will know the score: work the margins, check for depth changes and keep an eye on any cover or features. The exact pegs and swims to target aren’t detailed in the checked facts, so it’s best not to assume every section fishes the same.
Match weights at the club’s waters have regularly been reported above 40lb, while specimen carp at the club’s waters have been reported to reach about 30lb. Those figures refer to the club’s waters rather than being a canal-specific stock list, but they certainly suggest there can be some proper lumps in the wider venue group.
Lydney Lake is also controlled by the same club. It’s approximately 2 hectares and has reported carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike and eel. That gives members and ticket anglers a broader coarse-fishing option alongside the canal, with plenty of familiar species on the menu.
Historically, the canal and harbour were restored and enhanced during the early 2000s. The canal is also linked with the River Severn and Lydney Harbour, although harbour fishing is prohibited except by arrangement with Lydney Angling Club. Worth knowing before setting up anywhere near that end.
Day tickets and annual memberships have been available, with tickets listed from Forest Tackle in Lydney or the bank-side bailiff. Night fishing is reported as restricted to members. Check the current position before travelling, as no reliable current opening hours or fishing-season dates are listed.
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.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Lydney Canal FAQs
Are day tickets available?
Day tickets have been available from Forest Tackle in Lydney and from the bank-side bailiff.
Is there online booking?
No online booking system was found.
Is Lydney Canal a fly-fishing venue?
No. It is described as a coarse-fishing venue rather than a fly-only fishery.
Are current opening hours published?
No reliable current daily opening hours were found, and no reliable current fishing-season dates were found.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Lydney Canal. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Lydney.
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.
Are there toilets on site?
Not that we've seen listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
Yes — car park at the associated lydney lake venue. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
GL15 4EN.
How much is a ticket?
Senior day ticket (2014 published price): £6; Junior day ticket, under-16s (2014 published price): £4; Concessionary day ticket (2014 published price): £5; Senior annual membership (2014 published price): £27; Junior annual membership (2014 published price): £13; Concessionary annual membership (2014 published price): £15. Prices last checked 2026-10-08 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Day tickets are available on Lydney Canal, Lydney Lake. Busy weekends can fill up, so ring ahead if you've got your heart set on a swim.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike, eel. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
2 — Lydney Canal (Not published), Lydney Lake (Approximately 2 hectares).
Is night fishing allowed?
Yes, it's required — Night fishing is reported as restricted to members.
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?
Yes, it's required — Carp anglers must carry an unhooking mat.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Yes, it's required — Carp anglers must carry an unhooking mat.
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.
Anglers' photos
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Day ticket · turn up
Lydney Canal: a compact, roughly one-mile canal with pleasure, match and advertised specimen fishing.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp
Lydney Canal runs inland from the River Severn to Lydney and is controlled by Lydney & District Angling Club. It’s a coarse-fishing venue, not a fly-only water.
The canal has been described as offering pleasure and match fishing, with specimen fishing also advertised by the club. Exact pegs, swims and canal-specific species aren’t listed in the checked facts.
Lake photographs
A look around Lydney Canal
Lydney Canal
Lydney Canal
We’re checking the fishery’s Lydney Canal pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Pleasure anglers after a canal session
- Match anglers and members looking for a compact coarse venue
Maybe not for
- Anglers wanting confirmed canal-specific stock details or published current opening times
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Lydney Canal
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
trout
Fly fishing for the trout
Stocked lake trout cruise and feed up in the water, so you need to find the depth they're at. Start just under the surface and go deeper if nothing's happening.
- A 9ft 6–7 weight rod with a floating line covers most days; carry an intermediate or sinking line for cold or bright spells.
- Early season and cold days: lures like a Cat's Whisker, Blob or Damsel, pulled back in steady strips.
- Warmer days with fish rising: buzzers, Diawl Bachs or a dry fly fished slowly, or static under an indicator.
- Count your fly down (5, 10, 15 seconds) and change depth till you get a pull — then repeat that count.
- Use 6–8lb fluorocarbon tippet, and check the fishery's rules on catch-and-release, bag limits and barbless hooks before you start.
Venue rule: Bag limits and catch-and-release rules vary a lot on trout waters — ask at the lodge before your first cast.
Lydney Canal FAQs
How long is Lydney Canal?
It is approximately one mile long.
Who controls the fishing rights?
Lydney & District Angling Club controls the fishing rights.
What's the lake record on Lydney Canal?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Lydney Canal that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Lydney Canal?
carp.
How big is Lydney Canal and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. A compact, roughly one-mile canal with pleasure, match and advertised specimen fishing..
Which baits work well on Lydney Canal?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Lydney Canal further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Lydney Canal get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Lydney Canal?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Lydney Canal before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Lydney Canal?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Lydney Canal on a day ticket?
Yes — Lydney Canal is on the day ticket. Tickets: Senior day ticket (2014 published price) £6; Junior day ticket, under-16s (2014 published price) £4; Concessionary day ticket (2014 published price) £5; Senior annual membership (2014 published price) £27; Junior annual membership (2014 published price) £13; Concessionary annual membership (2014 published price) £15 (last checked 2026-10-08).
Is night fishing allowed on Lydney Canal?
Yes, it's required — Night fishing is reported as restricted to members.
Who does Lydney Canal suit?
Good for: Pleasure anglers after a canal session; Match anglers and members looking for a compact coarse venue. Less suited to: Anglers wanting confirmed canal-specific stock details or published current opening times.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Day ticket · turn up
Lydney Lake: a roughly 2-hectare club-controlled lake with a broad mix of coarse species.
- Size
- Approximately 2 hectares acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike, eel
Lydney Lake is controlled by Lydney & District Angling Club alongside the canal. It covers approximately 2 hectares and has a car park listed among its facilities.
Reported species include carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike and eel. That’s a decent spread, from mixed coarse fishing through to carp and predator sessions.
Reported species include carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike and eel.
Lake photographs
A look around Lydney Lake
Lydney Canal
Lydney Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Lydney Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Anglers wanting a mixed coarse session with several reported species
- Carp, pike and general pleasure anglers
Maybe not for
- Anyone looking for a large water with lots of published swim and feature detail
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Lydney Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
perch
Worm or small lure for the perch
Perch hang round cover, boats and drop-offs. A lobworm on a light float, or a small lure worked along the features, will find them.
- Fish lobworm under a float tight to cover.
- On lures, try a small drop shot or soft shad near features.
- Feed chopped worm to keep them in the swim.
Lydney Lake FAQs
How big is Lydney Lake?
It is approximately 2 hectares.
What species are reported at Lydney Lake?
Carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike and eel are reported.
What's the lake record on Lydney Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: Reported species include carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike and eel. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Lydney Lake?
carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike, eel. Reported species include carp, bream, roach, perch, tench, pike and eel.
Which baits work well on Lydney Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Lydney Lake further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Lydney Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Lydney Lake?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Lydney Canal before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Lydney Lake?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Lydney Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Lydney Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Senior day ticket (2014 published price) £6; Junior day ticket, under-16s (2014 published price) £4; Concessionary day ticket (2014 published price) £5; Senior annual membership (2014 published price) £27; Junior annual membership (2014 published price) £13; Concessionary annual membership (2014 published price) £15 (last checked 2026-10-08).
Is night fishing allowed on Lydney Lake?
Yes, it's required — Night fishing is reported as restricted to members.
Who does Lydney Lake suit?
Good for: Anglers wanting a mixed coarse session with several reported species; Carp, pike and general pleasure anglers. Less suited to: Anyone looking for a large water with lots of published swim and feature detail.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Venue Rule Checker
- Must
Is night fishing allowed?
Night fishing is reported as restricted to members.
- No
Can nuts be used?
A published rule says no nuts may be used.
- No
Are floating baits allowed?
Floating baits are prohibited.
- Must
Do carp anglers need rig tubing?
Carp anglers must use rig tubing over the final 45cm of main line.
- Must
Is an unhooking mat required for carp?
Carp anglers must carry an unhooking mat.
- Must
Is carp antiseptic required?
Carp anglers must carry carp antiseptic treatment for injured fish.
- No
Can you fish the harbour freely?
The Environment Agency states that harbour fishing is prohibited except by arrangement with Lydney Angling Club.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 8 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Tips & guides worth reading
How we'd fish each lake
Our own suggestions, worked out from each lake's features, its main fish and the venue rules. They're tried-and-tested methods, not reports from this venue, so watch the water and ask in the tackle shop on the day.
Lydney Canal
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
trout
Fly fishing for the trout
Stocked lake trout cruise and feed up in the water, so you need to find the depth they're at. Start just under the surface and go deeper if nothing's happening.
- A 9ft 6–7 weight rod with a floating line covers most days; carry an intermediate or sinking line for cold or bright spells.
- Early season and cold days: lures like a Cat's Whisker, Blob or Damsel, pulled back in steady strips.
- Warmer days with fish rising: buzzers, Diawl Bachs or a dry fly fished slowly, or static under an indicator.
- Count your fly down (5, 10, 15 seconds) and change depth till you get a pull — then repeat that count.
- Use 6–8lb fluorocarbon tippet, and check the fishery's rules on catch-and-release, bag limits and barbless hooks before you start.
Venue rule: Bag limits and catch-and-release rules vary a lot on trout waters — ask at the lodge before your first cast.
Lydney Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
perch
Worm or small lure for the perch
Perch hang round cover, boats and drop-offs. A lobworm on a light float, or a small lure worked along the features, will find them.
- Fish lobworm under a float tight to cover.
- On lures, try a small drop shot or soft shad near features.
- Feed chopped worm to keep them in the swim.
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
What anglers reckon
6.5/10 from Tackle Index: Pleasure, match and advertised specimen fishing give the venue a useful spread of angling options.
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.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “Lydney Canal is a roughly one-mile coarse-fishing venue running from the River Severn into Lydney. It’s controlled by Lydney & District Angling Club, with pleasure, match and specimen fishing all advertised.”
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.
Angler score
What our readers rate Lydney Canal
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