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Samlesbury Fishery

Samlesbury Fishery is a proper deep, steep-banked tidal stretch of the River Ribble, run by Southport & District Angling Association. There are two sections, including the bigger Church Deeps water, with roughly a mile of Ribble fishing from Church Brow past Ribbleside Farm.

Run by Southport & District Angling Association · checked 11 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Walton-Le-Dale 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 tidal Ribble fishing, so keep a close eye on the water. Levels can rise quickly — by several feet during high tides — and that changes the whole swim.
  • Church Deeps is reached from Church Brow, through a gate near the Scout Hut and down steep steps to the river. Bit of a leg workout, so travel light if you can.
  • The Ribbleside Farm section starts at the farmyard. Access is from Cuerdale Lane, with parking right beside the river. Handy, bob on.
  • The upstream boundary is opposite the start of Melling's Wood. The full fishing rights run for approximately one mile upstream from Church Brow, past Ribbleside Farm.
  • Expect deep water and steep banks rather than little intimate brook swims. Find the crease, watch the pace and take care around the edges.
  • There’s a cracking mix of Ribble fish named here, including double-figure barbel, bream, pike, carp over 20 lb, plus quality roach, dace and chub.
  • A feeder or robust bottom approach looks the natural starting point for the deeper water. When conditions settle, trotting could be worth a look for the roach, dace and chub.
  • The bigger fish give you plenty to think about. Barbel and carp over 20 lb call for solid tackle, while pike add another proper target when the river’s carrying a bit of colour.
  • This is dawn-to-dusk fishing only. The national close season applies from 15 March to 15 June inclusive, and night fishing is prohibited.
  • Dogs aren’t allowed. Ribbleside Farm parking costs £2, and anglers must enter their details in the barn book. Farm day tickets are limited and first-come, first-served.

Methods: For the deeper tidal water, start with a feeder or sturdy bottom setup and fish the crease. In steadier conditions, trotting is worth trying for the quality roach, dace and chub; use suitably strong tackle if barbel or big carp are in the frame.

Access & tickets

SDAA membership

Required for member access, with an SDAA key needed for the Church Deeps gates when using roadside access.

Farm day ticket

The Ribbleside Farm owners may sell a maximum of two per day. First-come, first-served and not reservable in advance.

Ribbleside Farm parking

Parking adjacent to the river. Enter your details in the barn book.

£2 (as listed 11 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Day tickets are sold by the farm owners, with a maximum of two available per day. They are first-come, first-served and cannot be booked ahead; the official SDAA page does not state the fishing price.

Fish the club names

barbel, bream, pike, carp, roach, chub

Key rules

  • Fishing is permitted from dawn until dusk only.
  • Night fishing is prohibited.
  • The national close season applies from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
  • Dogs are not allowed.
  • SDAA members need an SDAA key for the Church Deeps gates when using roadside access.
  • Farm day tickets are first-come, first-served and cannot be reserved in advance.
  • The farm owners may sell a maximum of two day tickets per day.

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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