Bywell to Ovingham, River Tyne

River level

The lowdown

• This is Federation water between the marked boundaries around Bywell, Bywell Bridge and Ovingham. Keep an eye out for signs, posts and other boundary markers.
• The mapped stretch includes both north- and south-bank fishing, although the lower Bywell addition is strictly north-bank only.
• That lower addition runs upstream from Merryshields to the upstream side of Bywell Bridge. It’s approximately a mile of Tyne fishing.
• The Tyne here is a proper mixed fishery. The Federation lists salmon, sea trout, brown trout and coarse-fish opportunities across its waters, under the relevant permits and seasons.
• The lower Bywell beat needs a salmon permit. Before you start, message the Head Bailiff by SMS or WhatsApp with ‘Bywell’, your name and permit number.
• Migratory fish catches on the lower Bywell beat must be reported the same day, or as soon as practicable. Include the species, weight, method and a photo.
• There’s no stated daily rod-number restriction on the lower Bywell beat. Handy, but you still need to stick to the permit conditions and marked water.
• Ample car parking is available along the lower Bywell stretch. Don’t block openings or passing places, and display a Federation parking card where required.
• Access through Alder Wood is allowed by the owner. Shut every gate behind you, stay on the permitted path and leave no litter. No fires, camping, boating, bathing or damage to trees and bushes.
• Sunday fishing is prohibited on the lower Bywell beat. The wider Federation waters also run under the relevant rules, seasons and permits, so check the map before setting up.

Methods: The facts confirm salmon, sea trout, brown trout and coarse-fish opportunities under the relevant permits and seasons. Pick your approach to suit the current and target species, but check the specific permit conditions before fishing.

Access & tickets

Visitor all-fish permits are available from Northumbrian Anglers Federation. The 2026 options are one day, three days or seven days, covering Federation waters including the River Tyne, subject to the relevant rules; the lower Bywell addition also requires a Salmon permit.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, catfish, trout, rudd, chub, crucian, eel, zander

Named by Northumbrian Anglers Federation across its waters, not for this stretch on its own.

Key rules

• The lower Bywell addition is strictly north-bank fishing only and requires a Salmon permit.
• Sunday fishing is prohibited on the lower Bywell beat.
• Notify the Head Bailiff by SMS or WhatsApp before fishing the lower Bywell beat. Include Bywell, the permit holder’s name and permit number.
• Report migratory fish catches from the lower Bywell beat the same day or as soon as practicable, including species, weight, method and a photograph.
• Carry the relevant permit, a map of the water and the relevant Environment Agency fishing licence.
• Keep all gates shut when using the Alder Wood access, stay on the permitted path and do not trespass.
• No litter, fires, camping, boating, bathing, or damage to trees and bushes is permitted on Federation waters.

Where it is