Goring Lock / Weir (EA)

River level

The lowdown

• There are two recognised fishing areas at Goring. Stick to these and nowhere else — the official site guide is the boss here.
• One area sits on the lock island, in the weir channel at the downstream end. That should give you some proper flow to work with.
• The other runs along the towpath between the two footbridges south of the lock. Handy enough, but space is limited and it’s first come, first served.
• You get access from Lock Approach, following the riverside path towards the lock. Only authorised Environment Agency routes and paths are covered.
• The site is available from 1 November to 14 March only. That lines up with the statutory coarse-fishing closed season, which runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Keepnets are a no-go at all Environment Agency lock-and-weir sites, so plan your session accordingly.
• Do not fish from banks upstream of weir structures or from bullnoses. Those areas are specifically prohibited.
• There’s no parking at the lock itself. Wheel Orchard Car Park in Goring village is the suggested option, roughly half a mile away.
• No toilets are available at the lock either. The nearest are at Wheel Orchard Car Park, so sort the practical bits before heading down.
• The permit allows up to two rods and lines for coarse fish and eels where byelaws allow. Other species are limited to one rod and line. The Environment Agency does not specify target species for this site.

Methods: For coarse fish and eels, the permit allows up to two rods and lines where byelaws allow. Keepnets are prohibited, and only one rod and line is allowed when fishing for other species.

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

• Fish only in the two designated areas shown in the official site guide: the lock island weir channel and the towpath between the two footbridges south of the lock.
• Fishing is available from 1 November to 14 March only.
• Do not fish from banks upstream of weir structures or from bullnoses.
• Keepnets are prohibited at all Environment Agency lock-and-weir sites.
• A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required as well as the permit.
• Show the permit to the lock keeper on arrival.
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, and both need separate permits and rod licences.
• Permits are non-transferable. A permit holder may bring a guest free up to three times per year, subject to the buddy-card rules.

Where it is