Stony Stratford Ouse / Passenham Meadow (Stony Stratford–Old Stratford)

River level

The lowdown

• The Stony Stratford fishery runs for about 1,300 yards upstream of Watling Street at Old Stratford, with the weir forming the upstream boundary.
• Named areas include Toombs Meadow, Hollands Field and Brush Meadow. It is a well-used match and pleasure venue, so expect a proper mix of pegs and swims.
• Fishing is available on the far bank from the footbridge downstream through Brush Mill and Hollands, continuing as far as a locked gate halfway towards Toombs Meadow.
• The river has a bit of everything. Faster glides, deeper areas and quieter meadow water all feature, giving you options when the flow or colour changes.
• Brush Mill backwater is well worth a look during floods. It can offer a calmer, cheeky alternative when the main river is pushing through hard.
• Large perch are a real feature, with fish reported to 4 lb. Bream to 8 lb and chub over 7 lb have also been reported from the Stony Ouse.
• Passenham Meadow is just under a mile of Upper Great Ouse northwest of Stony Stratford. It holds chub to 7 lb, perch, roach, bream, pike and tench.
• There are no hard paths along the Passenham bank, so expect meadow access rather than a tidy towpath stroll. The section overlaps the opposite bank of Brush Mill for a few hundred yards.
• For a session, trotting and feeder work should suit the glides and deeper water, while a float approach is handy for picking through the quality roach. Pike are present too, so come prepared if targeting them.
• Keep an eye on conditions and overhead cables at Passenham. The whole place has that classic Upper Great Ouse feel: open meadow, changing flow and plenty of room to find a swim.

Methods: Trotting, float fishing and feeder work all fit the mixed flow, deeper areas and meadow swims. In flood conditions, have a look at the Brush Mill backwater.

Access & tickets

MKAA day tickets are available from bailiffs. Annual membership is also available through Milton Keynes Angling Association.

Fish the club names

tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, chub

Key rules

• Anglers must hold the required Environment Agency rod licence and MKAA ticket.
• The Passenham field gate must be kept closed.
• Do not obstruct the farmer’s access.
• There is no fishing on the far bank when a match is taking place on the opposite bank.
• Littering is prohibited; clear litter around your swim before fishing.
• Cars are prohibited on fishery banks except in designated parking areas.
• The traditional river close season is 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
• Take care around overhead cables at Passenham Meadow.

Where it is