River Trent – Handsacre

The lowdown

• The boundary is nice and straightforward: fishing runs 700 yards upstream from the new road bridge. There are 25 pegs on this BAA stretch, so keep that upstream limit in mind when picking your spot.
• This is generally shallow upper-Trent water. That’s the key bit of character to take into your planning; don’t arrive expecting a deep-water stretch just because you’ve got the Trent in mind.
• Summer weed is the big practical wrinkle. The holder warns that it can get heavy enough to make fishing difficult, so summer fishing here isn’t necessarily the easy option.
• Winter roach fishing gets a particular nod from BAA. If you’re choosing a season for a roach session, that’s the clearest steer for Handsacre, rather than battling the summer weed.
• Reported pleasure catches of roach exceed 20 lb. That’s a cracking indication of why the winter fishing gets attention, though it’s a reported catch figure, not a promise for every visit.
• It’s not all about roach. Chub and bream are also named, along with occasional barbel. Keep that word ‘occasional’ in mind rather than treating this as a guaranteed barbel destination.
• Access is off the B5014, through the gate immediately before the bridge. You can park along the track as far as the double gates, but vehicles must go no farther.
• Keep the track and gates clear, and leave the double gates closed when walking through. It’s members-only fishing with no day-ticket option listed, and night fishing is expressly off the cards.

Methods: Winter roach are the clearest target to build a session around. Let the shallow water and any weed dictate your presentation; heavy summer growth can make fishing awkward.

Access & tickets

Get BAA membership rather than a day permit, and keep your card handy for the access-gate code. Membership expires on 31 December 2026 regardless of when you buy it; you also need the appropriate Environment Agency licence.

Fish the club names

roach, chub, bream, barbel

Key rules

• Night fishing is prohibited; members must observe the river close season.
• Carry your current BAA membership card and hold an appropriate valid Environment Agency rod licence.
• Use no more than two rods, kept under immediate physical control.
• Live fish must not be used as bait.
• A suitable landing net must be ready for use.
• Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult member.
• Dogs are prohibited on association-controlled property.
• Vehicles must not pass the double gates. Walkers must leave them closed, and nobody may obstruct the track or gates.

River level

Where it is