River Severn – Newhalls Meadow, Stourport-on-Severn

The lowdown

• Winter roach are the headline here. BAA particularly flags Newhalls Meadow for cold-season roach fishing, so this is one to have in mind when you fancy a winter session with the float gear.
• This is a navigable bit of the Severn, and boat traffic is frequent. That’s part of the character of the stretch, rather than somewhere to expect an uninterrupted session with the river all to yourself.
• The pole gets a specific mention from BAA. It belongs on the shortlist for this water, alongside the running-line float options — handy if that’s your preferred way of tackling a roach session.
• Fancy some trotting? Stick-float fishing is another of the holder’s highlighted approaches. The recommendation is firmly about float work here, with roach the named target rather than a long list of other fish.
• The waggler gets the nod too, so there’s more than one float approach to think about. Pole, stick or waggler: those are the three methods BAA picks out for Newhalls Meadow.
• Bronze maggots are the recommended bait. Nice and straightforward for the bait shopping, with a clear steer from the holder rather than a load of faff over what to bring for those roach.
• For parking, use the public car park near the closed Leisure Centre. BAA gives the access point as 52.335726, -2.283831, a useful one to save before setting off for the bank.
• Keep this one a daytime outing: night fishing isn’t allowed. You’ll need BAA membership rather than a day ticket, and your current membership card needs to come along with the tackle.

Methods: BAA highlights pole, stick-float and waggler fishing, with bronze maggots the recommended bait. Winter roach are the main draw — a cracking reason to get the float kit organised.

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

Key rules

• Carry your current BAA membership card and hold an appropriate valid Environment Agency rod licence.
• No night fishing; normal permitted attendance is one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset.
• Use no more than two rods, kept under immediate physical control, and have a suitable landing net ready.
• Do not use live fish as bait. Return coarse fish alive, except invasive non-native species.
• Observe the Environment Agency river close season.
• Leave no litter or discarded tackle behind.
• Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult member.
• Use designated access routes and close gates after passing through.

River level

Where it is