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Fishing near me | End of season river hotspots

The close season is nearly here, so get out now to enjoy some fishing on these prolific stretches...

by Tony Grigorjevs |

Published on24th February 2026 at 10.22am

The river close season is looming, and for many coarse anglers that means one last proper chance to fish flowing water before March 15th. Late winter into early March is when rivers feel at their most honest. The banks are quieter, and the air has bite. If it has been raining and there is extra water pushing through, you often get that lovely bit of colour and pace that makes fish feel safer and more willing to have a go. If it is low and clear, you have to scale everything back and fish properly, but the rewards can still be there if you get it right.

With a bit of roving and the reading the conditions right, you can easily finish the season with a bumper session before the curtain comes down.

River Ancholme, Brigg, East Yorkshire

Huge shoals of fish pack into the centre of this small market town, and it’s impossible to know what you’ll catch next. Roach will provide the mainstay of the action if you fish with bread, while big tench and bream could be your reward with a worm and caster approach.

Contact: 01724 855730

River Trent, Nottingham, Notts

It’s a case of ‘take your pick’ when deciding where within the city to target a big barbel when the waterway is flooded. Collingham, Clifton and Fiskerton all hold fish well into double figures. Anchor a heavily-flavoured bait in an area of slightly slower water than the main flow to boost your chances.

Contact: 0115 981 3834

Old Nene, March, Cambs

A renowned winter hotspot for big hauls of roach, there’s every chance you can put together over 20lb of them in the right conditions. Bread on the whip or short pole scores in clear conditions, while pinkie and groundbait is a better option if the waterway is coloured.

Contact: 01353 721009

Hampshire Avon, Fordingbridge, Hampshire

Home to plenty of chub in the 4lb-5lb bracket, there’s also a good chance of 6lb-plus specimen going into your net. Head for swims with plenty of cover and, if conditions are favourable, trot an Avon float close to the snags and feed plenty of maggots to draw the fish away from shelter.

Contact: 07539 797510

River Wye, Hereford, Herefordshire

This list wouldn’t be complete if this stretch of river wasn’t included! Capable of throwing up 100lb-plus netfuls of chub, dace, roach and perch, it’s important to feed lots of groundbait laced with loosefeed to hold the giant shoals in your swim. Stick float and Bolo tactics are preferred by the most successful locals.

Contact: 01432 344644

River Wensum, Dereham, Norfolk

The stretch that runs through the middle of the Billingford Lakes complex is a brilliant chub fishing venue and regularly produces fish over 4lb to cheesepaste and bread. Pike running well into double figures are also plentiful, and simple sea deadbaits score well.

Contact: 01362 788111

River Parrett,Langport, Somerset

Swims close to Huish Bridge rarely fail to produce in winter, and you can expect 20lb-plus catches of roach and perch. Whip, long pole and stick float will all keep bites coming, and groundbait laced with loosefeed is a great way to prime the swim. Pike to over 15lb are also resident in the area.

Contact: 01935 388554

River Bain, Horncastle, Lincs

Home to roach that would break the personal best of many, there is a real chance that a 2lb beauty could come your way. Reasonably large pieces of breadflake are a reliable bait, feeding small balls of liquidised bread laced with hemp. Stay on the move, looking for spots with quite a slow flow.

Contact: 01507 311895

Warwickshire Avon, Evesham, Worcestershire

Head to the Twyford Farm stretch on the outskirts of town and chub to 4lb will be the primary focus. Waggler or stick float, either three-quarters of the way across or tight to any vegetation will produce the goods. A steady stream of maggots is essential, and firing in 20 every time you run the rig through is a good starting point.
Contact: 01386 442955

River Thurne, Potter Heigham, Norfolk

This area of the waterway regularly produces gleaming mixed nets, with roach, perch and big skimmers on the cards. Feed a little groundbait 8m-10m out at the start and loosefeed casters over the top. Use a single shell on the hook, switching to double if you want to be more selective.

Contact: 01692 670825

Bristol Avon, Bristol

The Newbridge stretch is quite deep and, if you can find the bream, there is every chance of a bumper catch. Fish in the 3lb-6lb bracket dominate the action, and they are best targeted with a cage feeder packed with groundbait, finely chopped worm and casters.

Contact: 0117 986 7507

River Welland, Spalding, Lincolnshire

Lots of roach have congregated in the town centre after a couple of years of the venue losing its edge a little, and bread is an unbeatable bait on this Peterborough DAA-controlled stretch. Short pole or whip tactics will make you efficient, which is vital when you are trying for a 20lb netful of fish in the 2oz-6oz bracket.

Contact: 07702 440892

River Tees, Yarm, North Yorkshire

Quality bream are in this popular stretch and, if you can find them, multiple fish to 6lb will come your way. Local matchman Andy Dargue included several of these, plus quality roach, in a recent catch from peg 193, using the feeder at 14 turns on the reel.

Contact: 01642 786444

River Thames, Oxford, Oxfordshire

Roach enthusiasts can be treated to memorable sessions on the stretch at Medley, where catches approaching 20lb are possible. Long pole and maggot tactics work well, especially when presented over the top of a bed of groundbait laced with a few particles.

Contact: 07990 587379

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