Fishing along the River Great Ouse

All sorts of delights await the keen angler on the River Great Ouse, including roach, bream, tench, some carp, chub, dace, zander and pike, even eel in spots around Ely and famously trout on the River Wissey.

The river upstream of Ely is especially good for roach and common bream, while downstream of the city the river is well known for zander, which was introduced in the 1950s as a sports fish. Still waters offer both coarse and trout fishing. The River Cam and tributaries to Pope's Corner are particularly good for roach and pike.

Anyone aged 12 years or over who fishes for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels must have a valid rod licence (obtainable from post offices, or click on link to page of this website). This is in addition to a permit of permission to fish a particular stretch of water. Fishing is free on the following stretches: - The Ely Ouse in Ely centre - The Ely Ouse south of Ely (permits from bailiffs on the bank) - The Old West River (permits from Histon and District Angling Club) - The River Cam (permits from Cambridge Albion Angling Society, Cambridge Fish Preservation Society and Angling Club, or bailiffs on bank).