Fishery guide · West Midlands
Stourbridge Canal
Bells Mill Fishery sits beside the Stourbridge Canal and River Stour near Stourbridge, with a 2.5-acre specimen carp pool and a 1-acre match/pleasure pool. Properly equipped, tightly managed and handy for both overnight carp anglers and match-style fishing.
“8.0/10 — Two distinct waters offer specimen carp fishing alongside a broad mixed-species match and pleasure option.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Bells Mill Fishery is the venue beside the Stourbridge Canal near Stourbridge, West Midlands. It sits between the canal and River Stour, with around 6 acres in total. The fishing is split between two main waters, so there’s a decent choice depending on whether you fancy a quiet night after a lump or a busy session chasing bites.
- 2 lakes: Specimen carp pool, Match/pleasure pool
- Fish: carp, tench, bream, roach, rudd, crucian, barbel, chub
- Tickets from: Specimen pool — 24 hours, two rods — £30 per 24 hours
- Find it: Stourbridge · DY7 5QT
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Fishery map of Stourbridge Canal
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Photos courtesy of Gordon Griffiths. See the originals. Catch dates not confirmed.
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The full rundown on Stourbridge Canal
Bells Mill Fishery is the venue beside the Stourbridge Canal near Stourbridge, West Midlands. It sits between the canal and River Stour, with around 6 acres in total. The fishing is split between two main waters, so there’s a decent choice depending on whether you fancy a quiet night after a lump or a busy session chasing bites.
The specimen pool is the main draw for carp anglers. It’s approximately 2.5 acres, has eight swims and allows a maximum of nine anglers per night. Two swims can be booked as doubles, which is a handy touch if you’re fishing with a mate. Twenty-four-hour bookings run from 10am until 9am the following day.
There are carp over 35 lb in the specimen pool, with depths running from roughly 4 ft to 12 ft. The water has two islands, plateaus, deeper holes, weed beds and margins, giving you plenty to look at before clipping up. It’s the sort of layout where feature-finding and careful margin work should be right up the list.
The match/pleasure pool is approximately 1 acre and has 26 timber platforms, including four described as disabled-friendly. There’s a central island and a marginal shelf, while the carp are listed to 18 lb, with average fish of 1 lb to 6 lb. Tench, bream, roach, rudd, crucian carp, barbel, chub and perch are also listed, so there’s more going on than just carp.
The published specimen-pool prices are £30 per 24 hours for two rods or £35 per 24 hours for three rods. The general rule is two rods from March to October and three rods from November to February. Full payment is needed per person per night, with refunds available when cancellations are made with more than 48 hours’ notice.
Facilities are bob on for a session, with toilets, a cafe and a small tackle shop stocking bait and end tackle. The fishery is otter-fenced and security-fenced too. Gates are listed as open 7am-9pm from May to October, and 8am-5pm from November to April, subject to daylight. Access is from the A449 end of Prestwood Drive, with a 10 mph site speed limit.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
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Stourbridge Canal FAQs
How do specimen bookings work?
Booking requires full payment per person per night. Bookings are refundable when cancelled with more than 48 hours’ notice.
How many rods are permitted?
The general rule is two rods from March to October and three rods from November to February.
What care kit is required?
Fish must remain wet, and carp antiseptic plus a carp-care kit are required.
What activities are prohibited?
Fires, swimming, drugs and excessive alcohol are prohibited. Fish may not be introduced to or removed from the fishery.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
There's small tackle shop stocking bait and end tackle on site, so you can grab bits on the day. For anything bigger, stock up before you leave home — or order online in advance.
Do I need to bring food?
There's cafe listed, but opening times vary, so pack snacks and plenty of water just in case — especially on a long session.
Are there toilets on site?
Yes — the fishery lists toilets.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off. Bring a barrow in case it's a walk.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
DY7 5QT.
How much is a ticket?
Specimen pool — 24 hours, two rods: £30 per 24 hours; Specimen pool — 24 hours, three rods: £35 per 24 hours. Prices last checked 2026-10-06 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Day tickets are available on Match/pleasure pool. Busy weekends can fill up, so ring ahead if you've got your heart set on a swim.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, tench, bream, roach, rudd, crucian, barbel, chub, perch. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
2 — Specimen carp pool (Approximately 2.5 acres), Match/pleasure pool (Approximately 1 acre).
Is night fishing allowed?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Can I bring my dog?
Not covered in the rules we've checked. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Are bait boats allowed?
No — Fixed leads, lead-core leaders, bait boats and dinghies are prohibited.
Do I need barbless hooks?
Yes, it's required — Micro-barbed hooks are required on the carp pool.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.
Is it suitable for disabled anglers?
The fishery lists four disabled-friendly match-pool platforms. Ring ahead to check which swims suit you.
Do I need a rod licence?
Yes — anyone 13 or over fishing in England and Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence (or Natural Resources Wales in Wales), on top of your fishery ticket.
When's the best time of year to fish here?
Late spring through autumn is prime for most species. Check our live weather edge for this venue before you go — it updates daily.
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Pre-book only
Specimen carp pool: a compact, feature-packed carp pool with fish over 35 lb and eight swims.
- Size
- Approximately 2.5 acres acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp
The specimen pool is approximately 2.5 acres, with eight swims and a maximum of nine anglers per night. Two specimen swims can be booked as doubles, making it a neat option for a shared session.
Depths run from roughly 4 ft to 12 ft, with two islands, plateaus, deeper holes, weed beds and margins to pick apart. Twenty-four-hour sessions run from 10am to 9am the next day, and night fishing is available through the 24-hour booking system.
Contains carp, including fish over 35 lb.
Lake photographs
A look around Specimen carp pool
Stourbridge Canal
Specimen carp pool
We’re checking the fishery’s Specimen carp pool pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Carp anglers wanting an overnight session with a chance of a proper lump
- Anglers who enjoy fishing islands, plateaus, deeper holes and margins
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting a simple drop-in day ticket without prebooking
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Specimen carp pool
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
carp
Solid PVA bag over the snaggy bits
With the island margins and a busy bottom, a solid bag keeps the hook point masked on the drop and sat neatly in a little pile of bait however rough the lakebed is.
- Tie a short, stiff hooklink (4–6in) so it packs into the bag without kinking.
- Fill the bag with a damp crumb mix and pack it tight — loose bags spill on the cast.
- Nick a wafter or small pop-up on the hair so it settles over the mix, not under it.
- Cast a few yards short of the feature, recast every couple of hours with a fresh bag.
Venue rule: Fixed leads are banned here, so fish the bag on a lead clip or inline set-up that lets the lead drop free.
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
Venue rule: Leadcore is banned here, so run it on a mono or tubing leader with the top bead set to release — never fixed.
Specimen carp pool FAQs
How many anglers can fish overnight?
The specimen pool is limited to a maximum of nine anglers per night.
Can two anglers share a swim?
Yes. Two specimen swims can be booked as doubles.
What's the lake record on Specimen carp pool?
Going by what the fishery says: Contains carp, including fish over 35 lb. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Specimen carp pool?
carp. Contains carp, including fish over 35 lb.
How big is Specimen carp pool and how many swims?
Around Approximately 2.5 acres acres. A compact, feature-packed carp pool with fish over 35 lb and eight swims..
Which baits work well on Specimen carp pool?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Specimen carp pool further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Specimen carp pool get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Specimen carp pool?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Stourbridge Canal before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Specimen carp pool?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Specimen carp pool on a day ticket?
You'll need to book Specimen carp pool in advance rather than just turning up.
Is night fishing allowed on Specimen carp pool?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Specimen carp pool suit?
Good for: Carp anglers wanting an overnight session with a chance of a proper lump; Anglers who enjoy fishing islands, plateaus, deeper holes and margins. Less suited to: Anyone wanting a simple drop-in day ticket without prebooking.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Day ticket · turn up
Match/pleasure pool: a small, mixed-species pool with 26 platforms, a central island and a marginal shelf.
- Size
- Approximately 1 acre acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, tench, bream, roach, rudd, crucian, barbel, chub, perch
The match/pleasure pool is approximately 1 acre and has 26 timber platforms. Four platforms are described as disabled-friendly, giving the pool a useful bit of accessibility built in.
Carp are listed to 18 lb, with average fish of 1 lb to 6 lb, alongside tench, bream, roach, rudd, crucian carp, barbel, chub and perch. The central island and marginal shelf give you a couple of obvious areas to work.
Match-pool carp are listed to 18 lb, with average fish of 1 lb to 6 lb.
Lake photographs
A look around Match/pleasure pool
Stourbridge Canal
Match/pleasure pool
We’re checking the fishery’s Match/pleasure pool pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Match and pleasure anglers after a mixed bag
- Anglers who prefer platform fishing and a smaller water
Maybe not for
- Specimen carp anglers specifically targeting the over-35 lb fish
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Match/pleasure pool
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
Match/pleasure pool FAQs
What species are listed?
Carp, tench, bream, roach, rudd, crucian carp, barbel, chub and perch are listed.
What is the listed match record?
The current match record is listed as 312 lb 7 oz, caught by Lee Boden in 2023.
What's the lake record on Match/pleasure pool?
Going by what the fishery says: Match-pool carp are listed to 18 lb, with average fish of 1 lb to 6 lb. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Match/pleasure pool?
carp, tench, bream, roach, rudd, crucian, barbel, chub, perch. Match-pool carp are listed to 18 lb, with average fish of 1 lb to 6 lb.
How big is Match/pleasure pool and how many swims?
Around Approximately 1 acre acres. A small, mixed-species pool with 26 platforms, a central island and a marginal shelf..
Which baits work well on Match/pleasure pool?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Match/pleasure pool further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Match/pleasure pool get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Match/pleasure pool?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Stourbridge Canal before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Match/pleasure pool?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Match/pleasure pool on a day ticket?
Yes — Match/pleasure pool is on the day ticket. Tickets: Specimen pool — 24 hours, two rods £30 per 24 hours; Specimen pool — 24 hours, three rods £35 per 24 hours (last checked 2026-10-06).
Is night fishing allowed on Match/pleasure pool?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Match/pleasure pool suit?
Good for: Match and pleasure anglers after a mixed bag; Anglers who prefer platform fishing and a smaller water. Less suited to: Specimen carp anglers specifically targeting the over-35 lb fish.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Venue Rule Checker
- Must
Are micro-barbed hooks required on the carp pool?
Micro-barbed hooks are required on the carp pool.
- Must
Is a minimum line strength required?
Minimum line strength on the carp pool is 12 lb.
- No
Can braided main line be used?
Braided main line is prohibited, although braided hook links are allowed.
- No
Are bait boats, dinghies and fixed leads allowed?
Fixed leads, lead-core leaders, bait boats and dinghies are prohibited.
- No
Can loose-fed nuts be used?
Fishery pellets must be used; nuts must be used in moderation and not loose-fed.
- No
Are tents and gazebos allowed?
Tents and gazebos are prohibited; angling bivvies are permitted.
- No
Can under-16s fish alone?
Under-16s must be accompanied by an experienced fishing parent or guardian.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 6 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Tips & guides worth reading
How we'd fish each lake
Our own suggestions, worked out from each lake's features, its main fish and the venue rules. They're tried-and-tested methods, not reports from this venue, so watch the water and ask in the tackle shop on the day.
Specimen carp pool
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
carp
Solid PVA bag over the snaggy bits
With the island margins and a busy bottom, a solid bag keeps the hook point masked on the drop and sat neatly in a little pile of bait however rough the lakebed is.
- Tie a short, stiff hooklink (4–6in) so it packs into the bag without kinking.
- Fill the bag with a damp crumb mix and pack it tight — loose bags spill on the cast.
- Nick a wafter or small pop-up on the hair so it settles over the mix, not under it.
- Cast a few yards short of the feature, recast every couple of hours with a fresh bag.
Venue rule: Fixed leads are banned here, so fish the bag on a lead clip or inline set-up that lets the lead drop free.
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
Venue rule: Leadcore is banned here, so run it on a mono or tubing leader with the top bead set to release — never fixed.
Match/pleasure pool
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
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
What anglers reckon
8.0/10 from Tackle Index: Two distinct waters offer specimen carp fishing alongside a broad mixed-species match and pleasure option.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “Bells Mill Fishery sits beside the Stourbridge Canal and River Stour near Stourbridge, with a 2.5-acre specimen carp pool and a 1-acre match/pleasure pool. Properly equipped, tightly managed and handy for both overnight carp anglers and match-style fishing.”
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.
Angler score
What our readers rate Stourbridge Canal
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