Erewash Canal – Langley Mill Stretch

Erewash Canal – Langley Mill is a proper canal venue, running for roughly a mile from Langley Mill Lock down to Shipley Lock. The stretch is controlled jointly by Belper and District Angling Club and Matlock Angling Club, so it’s club-water fishing rather than a standard commercial lake job. Langley Mill Lock is close to KFC, while Shipley Lock marks the lower end of the fishing stretch.

• 1 lake: Langley Mill Lock to Shipley Lock canal stretch
• Fish: bream, chub, perch, tench, pike, carp, rudd, roach
• Tickets from: Day ticket — £5
• Find it: Langley Mill · NG16 4AA

Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.

Erewash Canal – Langley Mill is a proper canal venue, running for roughly a mile from Langley Mill Lock down to Shipley Lock. The stretch is controlled jointly by Belper and District Angling Club and Matlock Angling Club, so it’s club-water fishing rather than a standard commercial lake job. Langley Mill Lock is close to KFC, while Shipley Lock marks the lower end of the fishing stretch. Handy landmarks, that. It’s relatively shallow water, with depths reported at around 4ft, and the fish can be temperamental. That’s not a bad thing, though — it keeps you thinking. The species list is nicely mixed, with silver fish, bream, chub, perch, tench, pike, rudd and roach all featuring. There are also occasional bonus carp, plus the chance of an occasional double-figure pike. Not a venue where you can just chuck it in and expect the net to fill itself. Pole fishing and light float fishing look a natural fit here. Start simple, keep things tidy and spend a bit of time watching the water before settling into a swim. In summer, the margins may carry lily pads and rushes, while weed growth is reported to be abundant. Those edges can look proper tasty, but fish can be moody, so don’t be afraid to adjust depth, move bait around or try another peg if the swim goes quiet. Lure fishing is permitted using a roving approach, making this one for anglers who like covering water rather than sitting it out in one spot. Work along the stretch, checking likely cover and keeping mobile where access allows. Pike are part of the attraction, with occasional double-figure fish reported. If you’re new to the venue, ask the bailiff or ticket outlet about current weed, productive areas and any access points before setting off. A small, sensible lure kit and gear for unhooking pike properly are the bob-on basics. Access is via flat canal towpaths, which helps make the stretch suitable for youngsters and beginners. Parking is available near Shipley Lock and on Anchor Lane in Langley Mill. The lower Shipley Lock car park is accessed from Eastwood by crossing the A610, but it is locked at 8pm each evening. Worth planning that one before the last cast, especially if you’re taking your time packing away. The official venue page also provides an interactive map of the fishing and parking areas. A day ticket is £5 and must be bought in advance from an official ticket outlet; tickets are not sold on the bank. An Environment Agency rod licence is also required. Day-ticket anglers can fish from dawn until dusk only, with no night fishing available. Bring barbless or micro-barbed hooks, take all litter home and never leave rods or baited lines unattended. Live baiting is banned, dogs aren’t allowed on club waters, and a quick check of the current club information before travelling is always a smart bit of prep.

Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.

Videos linked by the fishery

• Our read

  Checked Sept '26 — “A cracking one-mile canal stretch from Langley Mill Lock to Shipley Lock, with easy towpath access, affordable day tickets and a proper mix of silver fish, tench, predators and the odd bonus carp.”

This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.