Fishing Near Burton upon Trent: Best Waters & Spots

Top Angling Destinations in and Around Burton upon Trent

Burton upon Trent is historically famous for its brewing heritage, but among anglers, the town is equally celebrated for its world-class coarse fishing. Dominated by the majestic River Trent, the local area provides a diverse range of venues, from fast-flowing river stretches holding specimen barbel and chub to serene canals and well-managed stillwaters stocked with carp, tench, and bream.

Whether you are planning a weekend chasing river monsters or a quiet day pole fishing on the towpath, Burton upon Trent offers fantastic sport for every style of angling. Here is our guide to the finest fishing spots near Burton upon Trent.

The River Trent: A Specimen Angler's Dream

The River Trent is widely regarded as one of the premier coarse fishing rivers in the UK. In and around Burton, the river features a variety of paces, depths, and structures, offering superb opportunities for seasoned anglers and casual visitors alike.

Burton Town Stretches and the Washlands: Passing right by the heart of Burton, the River Trent offers stretches rich in roach, dace, perch, and chub. The Burton Washlands area features accessible banks and picturesque river scenery. Autumn and winter sessions often produce quality roach catches on the float, while summer evenings can yield excellent chub and the occasional barbel.

Burton Mutual Angling Association Waters: Founded in the 19th century, the Burton Mutual Angling Association manages extensive stretches of the River Trent, as well as parts of the River Dove nearby. Their waters are famous for specimen barbel, with fish frequently running well into double figures. Day tickets and season permits can be obtained from local tackle shops, granting access to carefully managed stretches where specimen hunting is at its best.

Canal Fishing on the Trent & Mersey Canal

If you prefer calmer waters, the Trent & Mersey Canal cuts directly through Burton upon Trent and provides miles of reliable fishing. Canal angling here offers consistent sport year-round, making it a favourite for match-style float and pole tactics.

The canal holds healthy stocks of roach, skimmers, bream, perch, and pike. During the cooler months, urban stretches and boat basins offer shelter where fish shoal up in high numbers. Wandering the towpath with light lure tackle for perch and pike is a popular way to spend an afternoon in the town.

Top Stillwater Fisheries Near Burton

For those who enjoy commercial fisheries or dedicated specimen carp waters, the area surrounding Burton upon Trent features several outstanding venues within easy driving distance:

• Branston Water Park: Located just south of Burton, this former gravel pit has matured into a scenic local nature reserve. The lake holds a mix of coarse fish, including carp, tench, and pike. Angling here requires permits, and fishing in such natural surroundings provides a peaceful day out.
• Barton Marina & Surrounding Lakes: Situated just a short drive down the A38 corridor, the Barton-under-Needwood area features lovely lakes offering excellent coarse and carp angling, set alongside picturesque marina amenities.
• Foremark Reservoir: Located a short distance northeast towards Ticknall, this vast 230-acre reservoir is renowned for game fishing and pike angling. With boat hire options and day ticket availability, it provides an exhilarating open-water angling experience.
• Rosliston Forestry Centre: Close to Burton, Rosliston offers quiet fishing ponds set in peaceful woodland, ideal for a relaxed family session targeting silverfish and smaller carp.

Local Tackle Shops and Regulations

Before casting a line, ensure you have an Environment Agency Rod Licence, which is legally required to fish in any freshwater river, canal, or stillwater across England. Many stretches in Burton are controlled by local angling clubs, such as Burton Mutual Angling Association, so check whether you need a day ticket or club membership before setting up.

Burton upon Trent has excellent local tackle shops where you can purchase bait, tackle, and day tickets. The staff in these independent shops possess a wealth of knowledge about local river levels, productive swims, and what baits are producing results on any given week.

Unwind in Burton upon Trent After a Day on the Bank

After a full day out by the water, Burton's town centre is just a five-minute walk from the river. As the historic home of British brewing, Burton features a fantastic selection of classic coaching inns, craft ale bars, and restaurants. You will find plenty of welcoming eateries along the high street and surrounding lanes to enjoy a hearty evening dinner and sample famous Staffordshire ales.

Base Your Fishing Trip at Three Queens Hotel & Lodge

When planning a fishing break, convenience and comfort are essential. Located on Bridge Street, right along the A38 corridor and only one mile from Burton railway station, Three Queens Hotel & Lodge provides the perfect base for your trip.

Anglers will appreciate our free on-site parking, making it easy to unload your vehicle after a day on the river. Our reception is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, supported by a dedicated night porter between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM to assist whenever you arrive. Stay connected with free WiFi throughout the hotel, and take advantage of our daily housekeeping and 24-hour laundry and dry cleaning services to keep your clothing fresh during extended fishing breaks.

We feature 62 comfortable en-suite rooms, including Single, Standard Double, Executive Double, Standard Twin, Executive Twin, Family, Quadruple rooms, a Mews Apartment, and a four-poster Suite. Every room is furnished with a private bathroom, flat-screen TV with Freeview and radio, complimentary toiletries, a hair dryer, a direct dial phone, and hot tea and coffee making facilities to help you warm up after hours on the bank.

Explore our wide selection of comfortable guest rooms and reserve your stay at Three Queens Hotel & Lodge today to make the most of Burton's premier angling waters.

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