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Milldale to Beresford Dale, River Dove

Plan a session

A cracking roughly three-mile run of the River Dove, from Milldale up to Beresford Dale. This is proper Peak District fly water, with trout and grayling country, limestone scenery and a mix of pools, runs and riffles.

Run by Lower Damgate Farm · checked 15 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Izaak Walton gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

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We don't publish an "ideal level" — nobody can promise one. Flood water is dangerous: if it's up and coloured, stay well back from the edge. Open Izaak Walton on Live River Levels

The lowdown

  • The stretch runs between two cracking Dove landmarks: Milldale and Beresford Dale. It sits right in the scenic Peak District dales, with that famous limestone backdrop.
  • It’s a proper dale river rather than a broad, lazy bit of water. Expect pools, runs and riffles, with plenty of changing water to pick apart.
  • This is predominantly fly-fishing country for trout and grayling. It’s not really the place for a coarse-fishing session with a feeder and a box of bait.
  • The water is reached via footpaths and public access routes around Milldale and Beresford Dale. Handy, but expect popular walking country as well as anglers.
  • Milldale has a popular riverside visitor setting and nearby parking facilities. Beresford Dale and the wider Dove valley are also well-used walking destinations.
  • Limited day tickets may sometimes be available, and guest rods can occasionally be arranged. Don’t just turn up and hope, though — availability isn’t guaranteed.
  • The farm describes this as one of the best fishing areas on the Dove, but the tickets are very limited rather than open, unrestricted day tickets.
  • Call Rupert Hignett before travelling. He can confirm whether anything is available, plus the current ticket arrangements and exact boundaries.
  • With pools, runs and riffles in play, the natural approach is fly fishing: cover the glides and riffles, then work the deeper pools carefully when fish drop back.
  • The statutory river close season and any local conditions apply. You’ll also need a valid Environment Agency rod licence alongside the fishery ticket.
  • We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: Predominantly fly fishing for trout and grayling. Work the riffles, runs and glides, then fish the deeper pools with a careful, mobile approach.

Access & tickets

Limited day ticket

May sometimes be hired through arrangements with Lower Damgate Farm. Availability is not guaranteed and must be checked before travelling.

Guest rod

May occasionally be available through Lower Damgate Farm. Confirm with Rupert Hignett before travelling.

Environment Agency rod licence

Required in addition to any fishery ticket.

The stretch is run through arrangements with Lower Damgate Farm and Rupert Hignett. Call 01335 310389 before travelling to check whether a limited day ticket or occasional guest rod is available; the farm does not publish a fixed online ticket price.

Fish the club names

trout

Key rules

  • A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required in addition to any fishery ticket.
  • Fishing must comply with the statutory river close season.
  • Local conditions apply.
  • Day tickets are very limited and availability is not guaranteed.
  • Confirm the exact ticket boundaries and current rules with the farm before booking.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

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