Bristol and Bath Railway Path Canal

This is canal fishing rather than a lake complex, covering the Kennet and Avon Canal stretch managed by Bathampton Angling Association from Bath to Avoncliff Aqueduct. You’re looking at roughly 8 miles of water, which is a proper bit of canal to explore. Handy if you fancy moving around, finding a quieter swim or sticking with a section you already know.

• 1 lake: Bath to Avoncliff Aqueduct canal stretch
• Fish: carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, chub
• Tickets from: Members — Free on the canal
• Find it: Bath · BA2 6TR

Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.

This is canal fishing rather than a lake complex, covering the Kennet and Avon Canal stretch managed by Bathampton Angling Association from Bath to Avoncliff Aqueduct. You’re looking at roughly 8 miles of water, which is a proper bit of canal to explore. Handy if you fancy moving around, finding a quieter swim or sticking with a section you already know. There’s plenty of scope for a relaxed day with the gear set up on the towpath and the float working away in front of you.

The association describes the canal as holding quality fish and large stocks. Roach, bream, tench, perch and gudgeon are among the common species, so there’s a tidy mixed coarse-fishing spread here. Reported sizes include roach to about 2 lb, bream to around 5 lb, tench to roughly 3 lb and perch at 4 lb or more. That gives you plenty to aim at, whether you’re after bites on lighter tackle or hoping a better stamp turns up.

There are a few proper extras in the stretch too. Large chub are present around Claverton, while quality carp are reported to reach 20 lb or more. Pike are also in the canal, although the association says they’re mainly small. So, it’s not just a one-dimensional whip-and-bits venue. A mixed bag is very much on the cards, with the chance of something a bit special making an appearance.

Access is from a wide, flat towpath, which should make the basics fairly straightforward. Disabled access is described as possible, depending on the access point, so it’s worth checking the exact spot before setting off. Listed access points include Bath, Beckford Road, Candy’s Bridge, Bathampton Village, Claverton, Millbrook Swingbridge, Dundas Aqueduct and Winsley Hill. Parking is available at some access points, but restrictions and private-land conditions apply, so check the arrangements for your chosen area before loading the barrow.

Members fish free on the canal. Non-members can fish on a £5 day ticket, bought through the Clubmate app before fishing. It needs to be dated for the intended day and shown to a bailiff or club member if requested. Fishing is stated as open during daylight hours, with no close season listed. Before a first session, it’s bob on to check the latest club details and ask about any local information for the section you fancy.

Keep the bank tidy and leave the towpath clear for other users. Don’t dig the banks, and don’t fish within 25 metres of lock gates or movable swingbridges. Night fishing needs a written application to the head bailiff, while members must not use bloodworm or joker from 16 June to 30 September. For a new canal stretch, travel light, carry a few sensible coarse options and spend a bit of time looking before clipping up. Finding comfortable access and a promising line can save a fair bit of faff and put you in the best shout of getting on the munch.

Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.

Videos linked by the fishery

• Our read

  Checked Sept '26 — “The Bristol and Bath Railway Path Canal listing points to Bathampton Angling Association’s Kennet and Avon Canal fishery, running roughly 8 miles from Bath to Avoncliff Aqueduct. It’s a proper coarse-fishing stretch with roach, bream, tench, perch, chub, carp and pike in the mix.”

This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.