Buscot Lock / Weir (EA)

River level

The lowdown

• This is proper lock-and-weir fishing, with an island, lock channel and weir channel all part of the setup.
• Get in from Buscot village via the public footpath towards the river. The permitted areas are shown on the official site-guide map.
• Once there, cross the lock gates to reach the far side of the island in the weir channel. You can also cross the weir and fish from the opposite bank.
• The weir walkway is out of bounds, as are the banks upstream of the weir. Fishing upstream of weir structures and from bullnoses is prohibited too.
• There are no numbered pegs or measured stretch length here. It is first come, first served, subject to capacity, so don’t faff about if you want a decent swim.
• The fishable water is specifically the weir channel and opposite bank. The official details do not give a species list, so pick your approach around the conditions rather than chasing a named target.
• This is daytime-only fishing, from dawn until dusk. The coarse-fishing season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive, with the site closed from 15 March to 15 June.
• A current Environment Agency lock-and-weir permit and a valid UK fishing rod licence are needed. One permit covers two rods and lines at one time.
• Keepnets are prohibited. You’ll also need to show your permit to the lock keeper during lock-keeper duty hours. A permit holder can bring a guest free up to three times per year, subject to the buddy-card conditions.

Methods: The weir channel is the key bit to explore, with your approach shaped by the flow and the available permitted banks. Keep it mobile, fish within the marked areas and stay well clear of the prohibited sections.

Access & tickets

Buy the current Environment Agency River Thames lock-and-weir permit. Abingdon is one of the listed sites covered, and anglers must show the permit to the lock keeper on arrival if the site is locked. The EA lock office number is 01235 522 061.

Fish the club names

The club doesn't list species for this stretch, so we haven't guessed.

Key rules

• Fishing is available from 16 June to 14 March inclusive. The site is closed to permit fishing from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Fishing is first come, first served, subject to capacity.
• Fishing from the weir walkway is prohibited.
• Fishing from banks upstream of the weir is prohibited.
• Fishing upstream of weir structures and from bullnoses is prohibited.
• Keepnets are prohibited at Environment Agency lock-and-weir sites.
• A current Environment Agency lock-and-weir fishing permit and valid UK fishing rod licence are required.
• The permit allows two rods and lines per permit at one time. The permit cannot be transferred.

Where it is