Fishing along the River Thames

Fishing at locks and weirs

Annual Lock & Weir Fishing Permits are available, valid from 1 April until 31 March. The 19 Thames sites have fast weir water giving exciting fishing. You will need to have a valid Environment Agency rod licence as well as a Lock & Weir Permit before you set off.

Permits cost only £22.15 (£14.65 for Senior Citzens and Juniors up to the age of 14 years). Application forms are available from the Environment Agency, PO Box 214 Reading, RG1 8HQ or any lock. Rod licences can be obtained from your local Post Office.

Fishing at other riverside sites

Before fishing elsewhere, you will usually need to obtain a day ticket or permit from the landowner.

At the following sites, you don't have to pay for a day ticket or permit, but you must have a valid rod licence:

• Reading: 0800 626 540. Check with Reading Angling Centre for details of match bookings on 0118 987 2216.
• Marlow: 0118 953 5000
• Staines Bridge to Teddington (16 miles) and Teddington Lock Island. Contact the Lock Keeper on 020 8940 8723. At the Lock Island, park on the Teddington Side and walk over the suspension bridge.

Fishing platforms for anglers using wheelchairs have been installed at Silver Sands (upstream of Penton Hook Lock, near Staines), Sunbury Leisure Centre and Romney Lock, where ramps are available for access across the lock gates - please ask the lock keeper. For further information on organisations that can provide advice for the disabled angler, please contact the British Disabled Angling Association on www.bdaa.co.uk or telephone 01283 734735. A visit beforehand is advisable.

Read more about safe angling