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Old Bedford River (Denver to Magdalen Bridge and beyond)

A cracking three-mile run of the Old Bedford River, starting at the new road bridge by Old Bedford Sluice at Salter’s Lode and heading upstream towards Magdalen Bridge and beyond. It’s KLAA water in the tidal Great Ouse system, with day tickets and season permits available.

Run by King's Lynn Angling Association · checked 10 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Magdalen 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 proper Fenland river fishing, with raised flood-defence banks and the Ouse Washes close by. Big skies, managed water and plenty of room to settle in.
  • The listed fishable section is approximately three miles long, running from the new road bridge by Old Bedford Sluice upstream towards Magdalen Bridge and beyond.
  • Denver Sluice and Magdalen Bridge are among KLAA’s key access locations, while Salter’s Lode access is off the A1122 west of Downham Market.
  • The water is part of the tidal Great Ouse system, so expect the character of the river to be shaped by a managed drainage and flood-relief setup.
  • KLAA describes its fisheries as suitable for pleasure, match and specialist anglers, so there’s scope for a proper session rather than just a quick chuck.
  • The association names bream, carp, roach, perch, pike, tench and zander across its fisheries. That gives you plenty to aim at, whether you fancy float work, feeder fishing or something more specialist.
  • For a general session, look at the flow and pick out any crease, steadier glide or change in depth. A bit of colour and a moving river can make all the difference.
  • There’s no official peg count listed, and no single bank-side parking arrangement is confirmed for the whole stretch, so sort the access details before setting off.
  • This is managed flood-relief country, so keep banks tidy and treat the water with respect. Fires, camping and barbecues are all prohibited.

Methods: It’s suited to pleasure, match and specialist fishing. Read the flow, find the crease or a steadier glide, then choose between trotting, feeder work or a more targeted predator approach.

Access & tickets

River day ticket

Available from KLAA bailiffs on the bank for rivers only.

£6 (as listed 10 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Adult basic permit 2026–27

Covers rivers only.

£50 (as listed 10 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Adult bronze or silver permit 2026–27

Season permit options available through KLAA.

£64 / £80 (as listed 10 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Day tickets for KLAA rivers are available from bank bailiffs. The current official price is £6.

Fish the club names

bream, carp, roach, perch, pike, tench, zander

Named by King's Lynn Angling Association across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

  • Fires are prohibited.
  • Camping is prohibited.
  • Barbecues are strictly prohibited.
  • Boat fishing requires a full KLAA book and an EA or Middle Level Commissioners registration number.

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.

Community reported

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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.

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