River Trent – Besthorpe

The lowdown

• The upstream section runs around the bend and is on-foot access only. Expect a river stretch with plenty of character rather than a neat, car-to-peg setup.
• The downstream length is reached from Trent Lane through a locked gate. Don’t try driving through it — vehicles must stop outside and park carefully near the gate.
• There’s a private intervening section run by Iron and Steel Angling Club. SAA members must not fish it, so keep an eye on exactly where the club water starts and finishes.
• The upstream bend is particularly noted for chub. A cracking spot to look for a crease, crease-side cover and steady glides where fish can sit out of the main push.
• The venue is tidal and close to the tidal limit, with a mixed coarse-fish line-up. Barbel, chub, roach, perch, bream, pike and zander are named for the water.
• Trotting should be well worth a look when the pace is manageable, especially for chub and roach. When the river has a bit of colour, a feeder approach could put bream and other coarse fish on the munch.
• Fishing is otherwise from dawn to dusk. The statutory coarse-fish close season applies from 15 March through 15 June inclusive, so plan visits outside those dates.
• Night fishing is allowed, but only with an SAA night permit. These are currently available only to anglers who have bought one previously.
• The old Parish Council pegs have roadside parking, while the downstream section has parking near the locked gate. Take care not to obstruct the road or access.
• The Parish Council pegs now have village-angler priority and are no longer available on day tickets. That’s worth checking before making the trip.

Methods: A versatile tidal Trent job: try trotting the steadier water for chub and roach, then switch to feeder tactics when the flow or colour calls for it. The bend upstream is the obvious place to start hunting chub.

Access & tickets

SAA membership is purchased through the association’s Clubmate system. Day tickets are not currently available for this River Trent venue; night anglers need the separate SAA night permit and must meet the two-year membership condition.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, roach, perch, bream, pike, zander

Key rules

• SAA members must not fish the private intervening section run by Iron and Steel Angling Club.
• Fishing is otherwise from dawn to dusk.
• The statutory coarse-fish close season applies from 15 March through 15 June inclusive.
• Night fishing requires an SAA night permit.
• Night anglers must text their name, membership number, venue and date to the club’s stated number.
• Village anglers have priority on the Parish Council pegs.
• Vehicles must not pass the locked gate.

River level

Where it is