Kennet and Avon Canal – Bath Stretch

The Bath–Avoncliffe Aqueduct stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal is a proper bit of canal fishing, with Bathampton Angling Association holding the fishing rights. It runs for approximately 8 miles, from Bath to Avoncliffe Aqueduct, so there’s plenty of water to explore rather than one tiny, busy corner. A cracking option if you like having a few swims and areas to suss out.

• 1 lake: Kennet and Avon Canal Bath–Avoncliffe Aqueduct stretch
• Fish: roach, bream, tench, perch, chub, carp, pike
• Tickets from: Members — Free of an additional day-ticket charge
• Find it: Bath · BA2 6TR

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

The Bath–Avoncliffe Aqueduct stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal is a proper bit of canal fishing, with Bathampton Angling Association holding the fishing rights. It runs for approximately 8 miles, from Bath to Avoncliffe Aqueduct, so there’s plenty of water to explore rather than one tiny, busy corner. A cracking option if you like having a few swims and areas to suss out.

Fishing is from the towpath side, with the towpath described as wide and generally flat. That makes getting about fairly straightforward, although the quieter sections can involve a decent walk. A trolley and comfortable walking shoes are well worth having if you’re taking plenty of kit. Disabled access is possible, depending on the access point, so it’s sensible to check the exact area before heading down.

Most fishing takes place close to the access points, while some longer-walk sections receive relatively little pressure. Access points include Darlington Wharf, Bathampton Village, Millbrook Swingbridge, Claverton, Dundas Aqueduct and Winsley Hill. Parking is limited or restricted at some spots, so check the arrangements before travelling and don’t assume you’ll be able to park right by your chosen swim.

The fish list is nicely varied, with roach, bream, tench, perch and gudgeon all present. Reported sizes include roach to about 2 lb, bream to about 5 lb, tench to about 3 lb and perch at 4 lb or more. The Claverton area contains some very large chub too, which is a handy bit of local detail to keep in mind when choosing where to start.

Carp are reportedly present to 20 lb or more, but they’re spread out and may need searching. That points towards keeping mobile, watching the water and not simply settling into the first empty peg. There’s also a good head of pike, mainly smaller fish. Depending on the time of year and your target, a float, feeder or more roving approach could all make sense, with the usual plan of asking a bailiff or local member what’s been showing before setting up.

There’s no close season on this canal fishery, and members fish without an additional day-ticket charge. Non-members pay £5 for a canal day ticket covering the K&A Canal from Bath to Avoncliffe. It must be bought before fishing through the Clubmate App, dated for the day being fished, and shown to a club bailiff or member on request. Take a sensible amount of tackle, keep your gear tidy and leave room for towpath users.

Fishing is permitted during daylight hours. Night fishing needs a written application to the head bailiff. Anglers must not obstruct the towpath with tackle or dig and damage the banks, and fishing is prohibited within 25 metres of lock gates or movable swingbridges. Bloodworm and joker are prohibited from 16 June to 30 September, so check the rules before packing bait and you’ll avoid any cheeky last-minute faff.

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 — “A proper eight-mile stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal, running from Bath to Avoncliffe Aqueduct. Expect roach, bream, tench, perch, chub, carp and pike, with quieter bits available if you’re happy to put the miles in.”

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.