Mill Gate Basin — River Trent Dyke, Newark

The lowdown

• The boundaries are nice and clear: start at Mill Lane bridge and work downstream, stopping 25 metres short of Newark Town Lock. That final gap is out of bounds, so keep your swim comfortably inside the permitted stretch.
• This is wharf fishing rather than a grassy riverbank. There’s a noticeable drop from the concrete to the water, so think through your landing setup before you get settled and put a bait out.
• No need to lug a drop net along just for this one. The Federation says a standard landing net should suffice, which saves a bit of kit faff despite that drop to the water.
• There are no numbered pegs here. It’s an unpegged stretch, but that doesn’t mean every bit of wharf will be available: moored boats have priority and can cut down the space you can actually fish.
• Put 1 October in the diary, not the usual summer river opening. Fishing here is permitted only from that date, and the Federation’s river close season still runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Perch are worth having in mind, with the holder naming them as a potential target. That’s a suggestion rather than a catch report; the holder also describes seeing plenty of bait fish during bank walks.
• For a predator approach, artificial bait or deadbait is allowed under Federation rules. Livebaiting is a no-go, so those bait-fish sightings aren’t an invitation to catch one and send it straight back out on a hook.
• Getting there means turning from Mill Gate into Mill Lane, crossing the bridge and parking on the left beside the Dyke. Before making the trip on a day ticket, check availability—the venue and central ticket pages don’t quite match.

Methods: A perch-focused approach with artificial bait is an option; Federation rules also allow deadbait but prohibit livebaiting. Have your landing net sorted before starting—the wharf has a noticeable drop, though the holder says a standard net should do.

Access & tickets

Full and Associate Members can fish here, and visitors can buy a day ticket online or on the bank. For online purchases, your order receipt is your ticket — show it on your phone or bring a paper copy.

Fish the club names

perch

Key rules

• Fishing is permitted only from 1 October; the Federation’s river close season is 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• No night fishing.
• No fishing within 25 metres of Newark Town Lock.
• Moored boats, including Canal and River Trust craft, have priority.
• Maximum two rods in use at once; rods must not be left unattended.
• No livebaiting for predators; deadbait or artificial bait is allowed.
• Fish must not be removed or introduced. No litter or fires.
• Unhooking mats are compulsory for specimen anglers.

River level

Where it is