Fishing Near Burton upon Trent: Best Angling Spots

Burton upon Trent has long been celebrated across the UK as a premier destination for anglers. Dominated by the magnificent River Trent and criss-crossed by historical waterways, this Staffordshire town offers an exceptional variety of coarse, match, and specimen fishing. Whether you are targeting hard-fighting river barbel, specimen carp in tranquil stillwaters, or trotting a float for winter roach along a peaceful canal, fishing near Burton upon Trent delivers unforgettable days by the bank.

To help you make the most of your next fishing trip, we have compiled a guide to the finest angling waters in and around the town, complete with tips on target species, access, and local advice.

The River Trent: A Specimen Angler’s Paradise

The River Trent is undoubtedly the crown jewel of the local angling scene. Renowned nationwide for producing specimen barbel and chub, the stretches flowing through and around Burton upon Trent offer diverse water conditions, from fast, gravelly shallows to deep, sweeping bends.

Much of the premier river fishing in town is controlled by the Burton Mutual Angling Association (BMAA), one of the oldest and most respected angling clubs in the country. Key stretches to target include:

• The Ferry Bridge and Andressey Island: Located within walking distance of the town centre, these urban river stretches offer steady glides and deep pools. Anglers regularly land pristine barbel well into double figures, alongside quality chub, dace, and roach.
• Branston and Drakelow: Moving slightly downstream, the river widens, featuring deeper pools that hold immense shoals of bream, powerful barbel, and elusive specimen carp. Pike anglers also find exceptional sport here during the autumn and winter months, wobbling deadbaits or working lures around snaggy margins.
• Riverside Park: Ideal for a casual session or match-style fishing, this public stretch offers comfortable pegs and healthy nets of silverfish, perch, and chub.

The Trent and Mersey Canal: Year-Round Coarse Action

If you prefer calmer waters or want reliable sport regardless of river flow and winter floods, the Trent and Mersey Canal is right on Burton’s doorstep. Constructed during the industrial revolution, this historic canal now offers a picturesque, slow-paced venue bursting with fish.

The canal towpaths between Shobnall, Horninglow, and Branston are well-maintained and offer easy walking access. Anglers fishing light pole or waggler tactics with maggot, caster, or bread punch can expect non-stop sport with roach, skimmers, and perch. In the quieter basins and overgrown offside margins, patience with a lobworm or small deadbait frequently uncovers hefty specimen perch and energetic jack pike.

Branston Water Park: Scenic Stillwater Carp and Tench

Just a short drive south of Burton along the A38 corridor lies Branston Water Park. Originally a gravel pit, this revitalised Local Nature Reserve now features a large, reed-fringed lake known for producing outstanding specimen coarse fish.

The lake holds a modest head of elusive, heavy carp that test the patience and skills of modern specimen carpers. In addition to carp, Branston Water Park boasts excellent tench and bream fishing during the spring and summer mornings. Early starts often reward anglers with rolling tench feeding close to the lily pads and marginal shelves. Please ensure you check local signage regarding permitted angling zones, as portions of the park are preserved for birdlife and conservation.

Foremark Reservoir: Premier Fly and Trout Fishing

For game anglers, Foremark Reservoir is situated just a short drive east of Burton upon Trent, over the Derbyshire border. Covering over 230 acres, this dramatic reservoir is operated as a premier game fishery, regularly stocked with hard-fighting rainbow and brown trout.

Whether you choose to fish from the sweeping bankings or hire an electric-powered boat to drift across open water, Foremark provides exceptional sport for fly anglers. Buzzer hatches in the spring and fry feeding in the late autumn offer prime opportunities to test your fly-tying creations in picturesque countryside surroundings.

Essential Angling Regulations & Local Tackle

Before casting a line around Burton upon Trent, ensure you have the appropriate permissions in place:

• Environment Agency Rod Licence: Anyone aged 13 or older must possess a valid UK rod licence before fishing in freshwater rivers, canals, and lakes.
• Day Tickets and Club Permits: Many stretches along the River Trent and local canals are managed by private angling clubs, primarily the Burton Mutual Angling Association. Day tickets or season memberships can often be obtained online or at local tackle shops in the Burton area.
• Close Seasons: Remember that the coarse fishing close season on all English rivers, including the River Trent, runs from 15th March to 15th June inclusive. Canal and stillwater fishing generally remain open year-round, subject to individual club rules.

Evenings in Burton upon Trent

After a full day on the riverbank or lake, Burton upon Trent offers plenty of ways to unwind. Famous worldwide as the capital of British brewing, the town centre is home to a fantastic selection of traditional real ale pubs, microbreweries, and independent restaurants. Located just a short five-minute walk from the town’s bustling high street, you will find plenty of welcoming spots to enjoy a refreshing local ale and a hearty evening meal.

Your Angling Base: Three Queens Hotel & Lodge

When planning a fishing break in Staffordshire, having practical, comfortable, and well-located accommodation makes all the difference. Located on Bridge Street on the A38 corridor, Three Queens Hotel & Lodge is perfectly situated for visiting anglers.

We offer 62 en-suite rooms to suit solo fishermen, angling pairs, and group parties, including Single, Standard Double, Executive Double, Standard Twin, Executive Twin, Family, and Quadruple rooms, as well as our spacious Mews Apartment and four-poster Suite. Every room features a private bathroom, flat-screen TV with Freeview and radio, tea and coffee making facilities to brew a hot drink before an early start, complimentary toiletries, a hair dryer, and free WiFi to check local river levels and weather reports.

Travelling with rods, seatboxes, and luggage is made easy thanks to our free on-site parking. Our reception desk is open daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm, supported by a night porter from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am, ensuring assistance whenever you set off or arrive back from the water. We also provide daily housekeeping and a 24-hour dry cleaning and laundry service to keep your gear fresh throughout your stay.

Ready to experience the exceptional coarse and specimen angling around the River Trent? Book your stay at Three Queens Hotel today and make Burton upon Trent your next fishing getaway.

Planning a visit? Book your stay at Three Queens Hotel & Lodge.