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Little Canford – Dorset Stour

Little Canford is a lightly fished Christchurch Angling Club stretch on the Dorset Stour, with a proper roving feel. It can be tricky in places, but there’s a cracking mix of chub, barbel, specimen roach, perch and pike, plus game fish.

Run by Christchurch Angling Club · checked 12 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Wimborne 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

  • This is an agile, mobile bit of river rather than a sit-behind-one-swim job. Keep moving and look for signs of fish.
  • Summer brings plenty of weed, with ranunculus spreading over the shallow gravel runs. It looks lovely, but can make presentation a bit of a faff.
  • As autumn and winter arrive, the weed dies back and more swims open up. That’s when the stretch becomes easier to explore properly.
  • There are deep holes tucked among the shallower runs. They’re obvious places to check, especially when the river has a bit of colour or extra pace.
  • The chub are a big draw, averaging around 3–5 lb, with fish over 6 lb reported. Proper chunky river chub, then.
  • Large barbel are present too, while specimen roach, perch and pike add plenty of interest if you fancy changing gear.
  • Game fishing is permitted, with grayling and brown trout present. Dace, eels and sea trout are also named for the stretch.
  • A path runs along the bank, giving good access for a roving approach. Upstream access is via Oakley Lane/Canford Magna, with parking in the lane.
  • For the lower end, come in from the B3073 Ham Lane via Fox Lane and Old Ham Lane. The route continues down to the road bridge.
  • It’s not open all year, and night fishing is not allowed here. Extended hours are permitted under the club’s venue rules, so check the current club arrangements before setting off.

Methods: Trotting and light float work should suit the shallow runs and chuby glides, while feeder or leger tactics are worth trying in the deeper holes for barbel and bigger chub. Stay mobile, fish close to cover and be ready to switch between coarse and game approaches.

Access & tickets

Full daytime membership

Allows fishing club venues with up to two rods. Open to everyone; membership runs for 365 days from joining. Concessionary, disabled, migratory and junior options are also listed.

£182 plus a £20 joining fee (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

7-day holiday membership

Club holiday membership.

£90 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

14-day membership

Club membership option.

£120 (as listed 12 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Arrange membership or an eligible guest ticket through Christchurch Angling Club; annual membership runs for 365 days from joining. Buy holiday membership before entering, and follow the current guest-ticket page’s one-guest limit rather than the venue table’s two.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, catfish, trout, rudd, chub, crucian, eel, zander

Key rules

  • Game fishing is permitted.
  • The venue is not open all year.
  • Extended hours are permitted under the club’s venue rules.
  • Night fishing is not permitted on this stretch.
  • Maximum of two rods.
  • Braided mainline is permitted.
  • Up to two guests are permitted.
  • Dogs are not permitted on this venue; the club states that no dogs are allowed on any river sections.

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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