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Castle Donington — West Meadow (south bank, downstream of Railway Bridge)

West Meadow is a lightly fished River Trent stretch on the Castle Donington side, downstream of the Railway Bridge. It’s a proper walk from the car park, but that extra faff helps keep the bank quieter.

Run by Derby Railway Angling Club · checked 13 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Shardlow 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 the south bank, on the Castle Donington side of the Trent, downstream of the Railway Bridge.
  • Access starts at the car park at the top of Back Lane. The route passes near the former level crossing, then carries on to the river.
  • You’ll need the club’s Yale key for the access gate. The car-park gate is roughly 600 yards beyond the first metal gate.
  • The river itself is about 400 yards from the car park, so pack sensibly and expect a decent walk with your kit.
  • DRAC describes the water as fairly lightly fished. That’s largely down to the walk from the parking, which takes a bit of effort but keeps pressure down.
  • Chub and barbel are the main targets here. Both are listed by DRAC for the stretch, along with bream and common carp.
  • Bream can show below the Railway Bridge, while the areas above the islands can produce bream and common carp too.
  • There are two good pike areas near the Railway Bridge. A cheeky bit of planning around those spots could be worthwhile when targeting pike.
  • The general coarse-river season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive. All fish must be returned, and live bait is forbidden.
  • Night fishing needs the Trent & Dove night permit. Sessions are limited to 24 hours before leaving the peg, so it’s not a case of settling in indefinitely.

Methods: The main focus is chub and barbel, with bream and common carp around the islands and below the bridge. Pike anglers have two recognised areas near the Railway Bridge; use only permitted methods and follow the club’s safety rules.

Access & tickets

2026/27 Associate Coarse membership

DRAC membership

£70 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

2026/27 concessionary coarse membership

DRAC membership

£55 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Trent & Dove night permit

Required for night fishing the River Trent

£20 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

This is Derby Railway Angling Club water and the club does not advertise day tickets for the stretch. Join as an Associate Coarse member for coarse fishing, or take Associate Trout & Coarse membership for all club waters and both game and coarse fishing; memberships run annually from 16 June.

Fish the club names

barbel, bream, chub, carp, pike

Key rules

  • Members must carry their membership card and EA Rod Licence.
  • Fishing must comply with Environment Agency by-laws.
  • The general coarse-river season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive.
  • All fish must be returned to the water.
  • Live bait is forbidden.
  • Fishing from boats is not permitted.
  • No fires, barbecues, tents or camping are allowed between fishing sessions.
  • Remove litter and leave the peg and bank tidy. Specimen anglers must use safety rigs, suitable landing nets and unhooking mats. Carp, pike and barbel anglers must use barbless hooks.

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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