Fishing along the Kennet & Avon Canal

The Kennet & Avon offers excellent angling, especially in the clear waters of the River Kennet near Reading which are largely controlled by Reading & District AA. For details and licences, either contact local clubs or visit the local tackle shops. There are also regular fishing matches held on various stretches of the canal.

Fishing is permitted from the towpath (not from boats) throughout the year, but
almost the whole length of the canal is leased to Angling Associations or
Fishing Clubs who have sole fishing rights. Please note that there is a three month period to the east of Kintbury where no fishing is permitted. Fishing is permitted to the west of Kintbury all year round. Anglers wishing to fish on the canal should contact the relevant association or club. Not all stretches permit all-the-year-round fishing and, again, you should contact the relevant angling club or association. Night fishing is also restricted by many clubs and is only permitted on a
night permit from the local club.

Fish in the Kennet & Avon Canal includes skimmers, bream, tench, roach, rudd, perch, gudgeon, pike and carp. The best baits for summer fishing on the canal include maggots, caster, worm and sweetcorn. Groundbait, loose feeding and hemp also work well and bread punch is good for winter angling.

Some clubs and associations restrict the period when fishing for Pike is permitted; for example, the Devizes AA observes a pike 'season' running from 1 October to 31 March each year.

The best methods are pole or waggler fishing with light tackle. Width approx
11 - 16 metres.

Due to heavy boat traffic during high summer and bank holidays, anglers may prefer early morning fishing at these times.

Angling associations and clubs on the Kennet & Avon Canal:

Bathampton AA - Dave Crookes, rodbracey@btinternet.com; Dave Crooks, 01225 338127, dave@bathampton.org

Devizes AA - Danny Williamson, 01380 860479, danny.williamson@tiscali.co.uk

Hungerford AA - Dave Keene

Kintbury Fishing Club - Chris Wilson

Marlborough & District – AA, Neil Pegrum, neil.pegrum@fsmail.net

Melksham AA - R Edwards, 01225 705036

Newbury AA - David Marshall, david.marshall.naa@hotmail.co.uk; Mervyn Burrows, mervynburrows@wanadoo.co.uk

Pewsey & District AA - J Broomham, 01672 563690, jim.broomham@sarsen.co.uk

Reading & District AA - Alan Hughes, alan.hughes217@ntworld.com and delshack@yahoo.com

Thatcham AA - Colin Sheppard, 01635 860804, colinsheppard@hotmail.com