Shifford Lock / Weir (EA)

River level

The lowdown

• This is lock-and-weir water on the Thames, centred around Shifford Lock and the adjoining weir and lock-cut area. A proper rural setting, rather than a town-centre chuck.
• Fishing is from the areas marked as authorised fishing sites only. Don’t wander off and fish wherever the bank looks inviting — the permit is site-specific in practice.
• The upstream banks of weir structures are out of bounds, as are the bullnoses. Worth clocking that before tackling up, so there’s no cheeky rule-bending.
• There’s no published Shifford-specific peg count or stretch length, so expect a defined fishing area rather than a numbered-peg venue. Spaces are first come, first served.
• The permit season runs from 16 June 2026 to 14 March 2027. The river is closed to fishing from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Shifford isn’t listed among the lock-and-weir sites with dawn-to-dusk access. Fishing is therefore restricted to lock-keeper duty hours.
• For coarse fish and eels, the permit allows up to two rods and lines where the byelaws allow. Other species are limited to one rod and line.
• Keepnets are banned at all Environment Agency lock-and-weir locations. Pack light, fish sensibly, and don’t bring one along expecting to use it.
• Under-16s need continuous adult supervision, and both angler and supervising adult must hold valid permits and rod licences. Guests can fish free with a permit holder up to three times yearly through the buddy-card procedure, but still need their own rod licence.
• There’s no Shifford-specific species list published, and no official parking or toilet details currently listed for this site. Access is only via authorised routes and paths.

Methods: The checked information doesn’t give a named target species or detailed swim features, so keep things flexible and work the authorised lock-and-weir fishing area with a suitable coarse-fishing setup. Two rods are permitted for coarse fish and eels where the byelaws allow, but keepnets are prohibited.

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 allowed only from the areas identified as authorised fishing sites.
• Do not fish from banks upstream of weir structures or from bullnoses.
• Keepnets are prohibited at all Environment Agency lock-and-weir locations.
• Fishing at Shifford is restricted to lock-keeper duty hours; the site is not listed as a dawn-to-dusk exception.
• The permit must be shown to the lock keeper on arrival.
• A maximum of two rods and lines is allowed for coarse fish and eels where byelaws allow; only one rod and line is allowed for other species.
• Under-16s must be continuously supervised by an adult, and both must hold valid permits and rod licences.
• Guests may fish free with a permit holder up to three times per year through the buddy-card procedure, subject to holding their own rod licence.

Where it is