River Severn — Ironbridge

The lowdown

• First, get your bearings. Dawley leases the fishing through Severn Gorge Countryside Trust, with the boundary running from the old power-station fence downstream to Free Bridge, Jackfield. It’s the right bank you want.
• There are three sections, each with roughly 20 pegs. That gives you a handy way to think about the stretch, but don’t picture three identical lengths: the character changes properly as you head downstream.
• The Woods is the deep, slow option, reaching 18–20 feet. That’s a fair depth to work with, so plumbing up carefully makes sense rather than guessing where your bait is sitting.
• Flood damage has changed the bank setup in The Woods, with much of the fishing now from natural banks. Keep that in mind when choosing your swim; this isn’t all platform fishing.
• The Gardens has recycled-plastic fishing platforms. If a platform is what you’re after, this is the section to look at rather than assuming you’ll find the same setup throughout the whole stretch.
• Downstream, rocky canyons and shallow rapids bring a completely different feel. Read the flow before settling in: the contrast with The Woods makes choosing your section a proper part of planning the day.
• Dawley names barbel, chub, roach, dace, perch, pike, bleak, bream, carp, eel, gudgeon and rudd here. There’s plenty of variety on that list, without having to pin the whole visit on one species.
• Parking is split along the water too: Bower Yard for upstream, Severn Valley Way beside Ladywood for the middle, and Lloyds Head’s junction with Free Bridge downstream. Pick your section first and save yourself some faff.

Methods: For the deep, slow Woods, consider a feeder approach or carefully plumbed float setup. Downstream, let the rocky shallows and pace guide your presentation rather than using the same setup everywhere.

Access & tickets

Buy day tickets online through Dawley Angling Society before fishing, then carry your emailed receipt. Turning up without a prior ticket means buying a £10 enhanced ticket or leaving.

Fish the club names

barbel, chub, roach, perch, pike, bream, carp, eel, rudd

Key rules

• Buy your day ticket online before fishing and carry the emailed receipt. Without a prior ticket, you must buy a £10 enhanced ticket or leave.
• Under-16s must be accompanied by someone aged at least 18.
• Night fishing is prohibited.
• Use no more than two rods or poles.
• Keepnets are prohibited except during official contests.
• Never leave rods and lines unattended.
• Return all fish alive and unharmed.
• Remove all litter from your peg.

River level

Where it is