Selby Canal

Fishery guide · North Yorkshire

Selby Canal

A proper canal option around Selby, with roach and skimmers the main draw and a £3 YDAA canal-only day ticket. Pick your stretch carefully: bank rules change along the Selby length, and permit descriptions overlap towards Haddlesey.

“6.6/10 — Main silverfish targets, good numbers of tench and perch, and three recommended methods give the YDAA fishery a solid mixed-fishing appeal.”

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The lowdown

Selby Canal is canal fishing, plain and simple — not a lake complex with a row of pools to choose from. YDAA manages approximately two miles from Selby Basin to Brayton Bridge, and also lists fishing between West Haddlesey and Burn Bridge. That gives you named lengths to work with, but choosing the right bit matters.

  • 4 lakes: Selby Basin to Doncaster Road bridge, Doncaster Road bridge to Brayton Bridge, West Haddlesey to Burn Bridge, Burn Bridge–Haddlesey Flood Lock
  • Fish: roach, bream, tench, perch, eel, carp, chub, rudd
  • Tickets from: YDAA Selby Canal-only day ticket — £3
  • Find it: Selby · YO8 8EB

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Fishery map of Selby Canal

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Live at the lake

Selby Canal

Selby · YO8 8EB

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The full rundown on Selby Canal

Selby Canal is canal fishing, plain and simple — not a lake complex with a row of pools to choose from. YDAA manages approximately two miles from Selby Basin to Brayton Bridge, and also lists fishing between West Haddlesey and Burn Bridge. That gives you named lengths to work with, but choosing the right bit matters. Get your stretch and fishing authority sorted before settling into a peg, rather than assuming one ticket covers everything carrying the Selby Canal name.

Roach and skimmers are the main targets here. If those are your sort of fish, that’s the starting point for planning a session rather than treating the place as a big-carp venue. YDAA also describes tench and perch as present in good numbers, with eels, carp, chub and rudd adding variety. Pike occur throughout the stretch too. There’s a cracking spread of species on the list, though that isn’t a promise of what will turn up in your swim.

Pole, waggler and feeder are all recommended methods, so there’s no need to make the approach sound more complicated than it is. A pole session for the main silverfish targets fits the venue description, while the waggler and feeder give you other listed options. The sensible focus is on the fishing you actually fancy doing, not imagined monster stock or guaranteed bags. This is a mixed canal fishery, with roach and skimmers firmly at the heart of its appeal.

On the Selby length, the bank instructions are worth getting bob on. Fish the right-hand bank from Selby Basin to Doncaster Road bridge, then the left-hand bank from Doncaster Road bridge to Brayton Bridge. Fishing platforms are available, but disabled access is limited. Nearby parking is identified in the directions rather than listed as on-site parking, and no toilets are listed. Also, the photographed peg coordinates mark a fishing spot — they are not an entrance pin.

The YDAA Selby Canal-only day ticket is £3, and online booking asks you to select both the venue and your fishing date. Night fishing is prohibited, even though the venue isn’t gated or locked. Exact daily hours aren’t published on the venue page, so don’t turn that open access into an assumption about fishing times. YDAA says its canal venues are unaffected by the river coarse-fishing close season, which is a useful distinction when planning your canal fishing.

There’s one final bit of permit faff to sort near Haddlesey. Apache Fishing separately advertises Burn Bridge–Haddlesey Flood Lock at £15 per year, bought before fishing. Its description overlaps with YDAA’s, so confirm the stretch entitlement rather than guessing. Clubs can also request YDAA match bookings through the waters secretary, subject to availability. For an ordinary session, carry your fishing authority, follow the bank instructions and leave the peg tidy. Straightforward essentials, but important ones.

Straight from anglers online

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Selby Canal FAQs

How do I book a YDAA day ticket?

Select the venue and fishing date when booking online. The Selby Canal-only day ticket costs £3.

What are the main fish and methods?

Roach and skimmers are the main targets. YDAA describes tench and perch as present in good numbers, and recommends pole, waggler and feeder methods.

What access and facilities can I expect?

Fishing platforms are available, but disabled access is limited. No toilets or on-site parking are listed; directions identify nearby parking.

Can clubs book a match?

Yes. Clubs can request match bookings through the YDAA waters secretary, subject to availability.

Where's the nearest tackle shop?

We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Selby Canal. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Selby.

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?

Yes — the fishery lists no toilets listed.

Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?

Yes — nearby parking identified in directions. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.

What's the postcode for the sat nav?

YO8 8EB. Heads up: we couldn't confirm this fishery's own postcode, so YO8 8EB is the nearest one to the fishery's map position. It should get you close, but it might be a little off — check the fishery's directions before you set off.

How much is a ticket?

YDAA Selby Canal-only day ticket: £3; Apache Fishing Burn Bridge–Haddlesey Flood Lock annual permit — separate entitlement: £15 per year. Prices last checked 2026-10-06 — they can change, so check before you go.

Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?

Day tickets are available on Selby Basin to Doncaster Road bridge, Doncaster Road bridge to Brayton Bridge, West Haddlesey to Burn Bridge. 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 roach, bream, tench, perch, eel, carp, chub, rudd, pike. See each lake tab for which fish live where.

How many lakes are there?

4 — Selby Basin to Doncaster Road bridge (Not published), Doncaster Road bridge to Brayton Bridge (Not published), West Haddlesey to Burn Bridge (Not published), Burn Bridge–Haddlesey Flood Lock (Not published).

Is night fishing allowed?

No — Night fishing is prohibited.

Can I bring my dog?

No — Dogs accompanying anglers are prohibited except assistance dogs.

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?

Most UK fisheries prefer barbless or micro-barbed hooks — ask on arrival if unsure.

Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?

Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.

Is it suitable for disabled anglers?

The fishery lists limited disabled access. Ring ahead to check which swims suit you.

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.

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