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Fishing Near Me: Best Venues To Catch Zander
From urban canals to big reservoirs, find venues accross the UK to target Zander.
by Tony Grigorjevs |
Updated on17th October 2025 at 5.23pm
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The number of venues holding zander in the UK is on the rise, as is their popularity among anglers looking for a different challenge in the colder months.
One of our main predatory species, zander are interesting creatures that grow to impressive sizes. They will readily take small fish baits, live and dead, and are a worthy target for lure fishing anglers too!
So, if you’ve never caught a zander, try one of these river stretches, canals or lakes to target this enigmatic predator...
RATHER CATCH A BIG PIKE INSTEAD? HERE ARE THE BEST VENUES TO VISIT TO CATCH ONE.
Coventry Canal, Coventry, West Midlands
Tusses Angling controls the venue between Leicester Row Bridge No1 and Glebe Farm Bridge No34, and zander are well spread throughout this 14-mile zone. Staying mobile is the way to get multiple bites in a day, as is rotating between different lure patterns to find what the fish are favouring.
Contact: 07450 974366. Web: www.tussesangling.co.uk
South Lagoon, Wyboston Lakes, Cambridgeshire
A 20-acre former gravel pit on the Wyboston Lakes complex close to St Neots, this is a venue with good disabled access, and there’s parking very close to the pegs. Large zander and pike are regularly caught here, and small deadbaits are the way to go.
Web: www.lutonanglingclub.co.uk
Frisby Lakes Fishery, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
A well-run 48-acre gravel pit that holds many coarse species including double-figure zander, pike nudging 30lb and perch to over 3lb. There are 50 well-spaced swims, and coarse deadbaits or lures will work equally well.
Contact: 07495 632909. Web: www.frisbylakesfishery.co.uk
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Grand Union Canal, Milton Keynes, Bucks
These nine miles of canal run by Milton Keynes AA hold some real surprises, even the odd big catfish! Lots of predators include good stocks of zander, which are best targeted with small to medium-sized lures. The stretches run from bridges 68-76 and 81-102, and among the best areas is Woughton on the Green to Fenny High Street (bridges 89-95A).
Web: www.mkaa.co.uk
Uckinghall Pool, Worcestershire
A well-established pool run by one of the best-value clubs in the land, Birmingham AA. Depths range between 4ft and 8ft and there are 55 pegs from which to target the resident predators. Small coarse deadbaits are best tactic on this water, which is one of many in the huge BAA portfolio that hold zander.
Contact: 01562 882116. Web: www.baa.uk.com
A1 Pits, South Muskham, Nottimghamshire
This popular carp complex also has good fishing on the River Trent, just below Newark. Most visitors target the big barbel, but there are some hefty zander present too. There’s good car access along the whole stretch, and cheap day tickets are available on the bank. A small roach or lamprey deadbait presented on a running rig in the slacks is a great approach.
Contact: 07970 209433. Web: www.a1pits.com
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Gloucester Canal, Hempsted, Gloucestershire
A hefty 16 miles to go at, between the docks at Bristol all the way up to Hempsted, subject to boat moorings and similar obstructions. Stay on the move to find the hotspots, or call Lobby’s Tackle for the latest information.
Contact: Lobby’s Tackle, 01453 791417
Warwickshire Avon, Stratford-Upon-Avon
Targeting the Recreation Ground stretch running through the centre of town with a mobile lure fishing approach will produce lots of bites from zander, plus some big pike. It can be quite snaggy in places, but it’s cheap sport, with day tickets from controlling club Leamington AA.
Parking is available in the public pay and display by the river, or if you intend fishing towards Lucy’s Mill, you can park at the Greenways car park on Seven Meadows Road.
Web: www.leamingtonangling.co.uk
Rutland Water, Rutland & Grafham Water, Huntingdon
These two vast Anglian Water owned and run reservoirs are true predator angling Meccas, such are the stocks of huge zander, pike and perch that they hold.
What’s more, the predator fishing season on each venue closes in two weeks’ time (until September). But for sheer numbers of big zander, which have been taken to over 20lb from Grafham, these two waters have no equal. Oh, and the perch run to well over 5lb too!
Web: www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk
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River Severn, Holdfast, Upton-On-Severn
This stretch offers parking behind your peg, and has produced some truly huge zander over the past decade to upper double figures.
All methods will work, but try 12cm shads in various colours in areas of slacker water. It’s run by Malvern United Angling Association.
Oxford Canal, Coventry, Warwickshire
A lengthy stretch of canal that extends for 18 miles from Hawkesbury Junction just north of Coventry, ending at Bridge 69 at Hillmorton locks in Rugby. As well as loads of silverfish, it holds good numbers of zander, with double figure fish a distinct possibility. There are also plenty of perch and pike present
Contact: 07450 974366. Web: www.tussesangling.co.uk
River Nene Embankment, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Free fishing and a great area to target for short sessions, with some surprisingly good zeds present, including fish well into double figures. Try near the Grain Barge restaurant with paddletails or similar lure patterns.
Contact: Angling Direct Peterborough, 01733 551053
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Ashby Canal, Hinckley, Leicestershire
Now under the control of Tusses Angling Club, this stretch runs from bridge 1 at Marston Jabber through to bridge 19 at Hinckley. It has produced really big zander in the past, although, as with all canal stretches, a mobile lure fishing approach is by far the best way to seek out the best areas.
Contact: 07450 974366. Web: www.tussesangling.co.uk
Ferry Meadows, Cambridgeshire
Although perhaps better known for its outstanding bream fishing, this two-lake venue in Peterborough with 120 numbered swims also holds loads of zander, with some pretty good ones present too!
Small coarse deadbaits work best, although lamprey sections are also worth a try.
Web: www.fishinginpeterborough.co.uk
River Trent Embankment, Nottinghamshire
Where there are silvers on the Trent, the zander are never far behind! It’s free fishing, and there are lots of bites to be had using small lures. The bend next to Wilford Suspension Bridge can be a productive area.
Contact: Matchman Supplies, 0115 9140210
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