Grand Union Canal – Hemel Hempstead Stretch

The Grand Union Canal through Hemel Hempstead and Boxmoor is classic urban canal fishing. Nothing fancy or over-produced — just a towpath, a few pegs and plenty of water to pick apart. The wider association fishery runs for roughly 14 miles from Hunton Bridge to Tring, with this stretch forming part of that canal length.

• 1 lake: Grand Union Canal – Hemel Hempstead and Boxmoor stretch
• Fish: carp, bream, roach, barbel, chub
• Tickets from: Published local day ticket — £4
• Find it: Hemel Hempstead · HP1 1NA

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

The Grand Union Canal through Hemel Hempstead and Boxmoor is classic urban canal fishing. Nothing fancy or over-produced — just a towpath, a few pegs and plenty of water to pick apart. The wider association fishery runs for roughly 14 miles from Hunton Bridge to Tring, with this stretch forming part of that canal length.

Roach are the headline act. Historically, fish around 1 lb have been present, with some approaching 2 lb — proper canal lumps when they show. Bream shoals are becoming more prominent in parts too, so a patient feeder or float approach can turn up a decent bag.

There’s more than silverfish, mind. Chub are particularly associated with the Hunton Bridge end, while the local Hemel Hempstead stretch also contains some barbel. Carp are present as bonus fish, and the wider canal has produced a reported 36 lb carp toward Tring. That’s a handy reminder to bring tackle with a bit of backbone.

The towpath gives the main access, with roadside access points also listed around the wider canal. Fishery Road, Durrants Hill Road and Nash Mills Lane are named access points, while the Fishery Inn and Fishery Lock are useful Boxmoor landmarks. Parking will vary, so don’t bank on pulling up right behind the swim.

Tactically, this is one for finding features rather than blindly chucking in. Cover the margins, boat-channel line and any visible changes in depth. Roach and bream suit a light float or feeder attack, while bread, meat or a robust feeder approach can be worth considering when chub or bonus carp are the target. Crayfish can be a cheeky nuisance in some areas and may mess with bait presentation.

There are no statutory coarse-fishing close-season restrictions on the Grand Union Canal in the relevant South East byelaw area. Night fishing shouldn’t be assumed, though, as no specific permission was found for this stretch. Check the controlling association’s requirements before fishing, especially around permits, rules and access.

Facilities are very limited in the fishery sense — this is towpath canal fishing rather than a managed lake complex with buildings and on-site comforts. Bring the landing net, unhooking mat, bait and everything else you need. Keep it tidy, stay considerate around other towpath users and you’ll be bob on.

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 proper canal venue through Hemel Hempstead and Boxmoor, with roach, bream, chub, gudgeon, some barbel and bonus carp in the mix. It’s towpath fishing with a published £4 day ticket, but association permission and current access details are worth checking before setting off.”

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.