Kings Mill – River Stour
A cracking two-mile Mere Angling Club stretch on the Stour, starting at Kings Mill Bridge near Stalbridge and Marnhull. The mill pond is the big draw, with serious depth, bream and a handy mix of river species upstream.
Run by Mere Angling Club · checked 12 Oct 2026
River Stour (Dorset)
Kings Mill – River Stour
Our river artwork — photos for this stretch are on the way
River level
Measured — Environment Agency
Hammoon 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 River Ready
The lowdown
- The fishable water starts at the mill by Kings Mill Road Bridge, then runs roughly two miles upstream. A proper stretch of Dorset Stour to get your teeth into.
- The mill pond is the focal point. Depth varies from about 3ft right down to 18ft, so there’s plenty to go at with a feeder or float.
- Bream are a major feature here, with substantial catches reported and fish averaging around 5lb. When they’re on the munch, it can be proper busy.
- Upstream of the weir, the character changes. This is where larger chub and roach show, with chub to roughly 5lb reported.
- Roach and dace can be caught on maggots or casters. Nice and simple, especially when the river has a touch of colour and the crease is feeding.
- Bread flake is the suggested approach for chub. Worth having a few bits ready for the deeper runs, slack edges and cover upstream.
- There are also rudd, perch and pike in the water, with tench turning up occasionally. A decent all-round mix rather than a one-species job.
- Parking is on the right just over Kings Mill Road Bridge, beside the railings. The road is narrow, so tuck in close and don’t create a faff for anyone else.
- Access is through the gate facing upstream. It has a coded lock and must be locked after use, with livestock in the adjoining field — shut it properly, every time.
Methods: For bream, a feeder or float approach into the deeper mill-pond water looks the sensible starting point. Upstream, trot maggots or casters for roach and dace, and switch to bread flake when targeting chub.
Access & tickets
Annual adult membership
Mere Angling Club membership
£60 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)
Annual senior membership
Mere Angling Club membership
£50 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)
Annual disabled/concession membership
Mere Angling Club membership
£45 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)
Annual youth membership
Mere Angling Club membership
£20 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)
Annual junior membership
Mere Angling Club membership
£5 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)
Fishing is for Mere Angling Club members and affiliated access arrangements. Annual membership is available through the club, with night-fishing bookings made through Richard Curtis.
Fish the club names
roach, rudd, perch, pike, tench, bream, chub
Key rules
- A current Environment Agency rod licence is required.
- Use barbless hooks, except semi-barbed trebles for pike or perch.
- Rods must not be left unattended and anglers must remain within 15 metres.
- Bait boats are not allowed on ordinary club waters.
- Fires and barbecues are prohibited except at organised events.
- Fixed rigs and alcohol are prohibited.
- Lock the coded gate after use.
- Comply with Environment Agency rules and byelaws.
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 fishWhere it is
Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.
Community reported
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How busy was it?
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No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
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