TackleIndex
River

Barnwell Country Park River Nene Backwater

Plan a session

A cracking little side channel at Barnwell Country Park, the Nene Backwater is shallow, quick and made for a float roaming through the glides. There’s roughly 1 km of fishable bank, with chub, dace and roach on the cards.

Run by North Northamptonshire Council · checked 16 Oct 2026

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Lilford gauge

Nearest EA gauge we've matched — it isn't on this stretch, so levels on your peg will differ.

Loading latest reading…

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 Lilford on Live River Levels

Angler Plus · My River Watch

Track River Nene at Lilford

Set the level range and direction you want, and get a heads-up when this Environment Agency gauge meets them. Your conditions, real readings — not a forecast or a safety check.

Join to set up a River Window

Readings, trends and typical ranges stay free for everyone. Alerts are part of Angler Plus (7 days free, then £4.99/month).

The lowdown

  • This is the Backwater, a moderate-paced side channel of the River Nene rather than the main river proper. It’s shallow and fast flowing, so expect a lively bit of water.
  • The council has prepared fishing pegs along the fishable section. Fishing is restricted to these pegs, with accessible fishing platforms available in the park too.
  • Trotting the glides is the obvious game. Keep a float moving naturally through the crease and search the pace before settling into one line.
  • When the river pushes on or carries a bit of colour, ledgering into the deeper holes can produce chub. Proper steady winter fare.
  • Chub, dace and roach are the named river fish here. The park’s wider waters also hold perch, pike, bream, eels and carp, but this guide is for the Backwater.
  • There’s about 1 km of riverbank available, giving you a decent wander between swims if one peg isn’t playing ball. No need to faff about with boats or bait boats — neither is allowed.
  • The statutory river closed season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. Once open, predator fishing is allowed from 1 October to 31 March only.
  • Night fishing is permitted, but sessions are limited to a maximum of two nights. Carry your unhooking kit, and don’t leave baited rods unattended.
  • Parking is in the Barnwell Country Park car park, costing £3.50 for up to 12 hours. The park also has toilets and paths, which keeps the whole visit fairly bob on.
  • From 1 April 2026, it’s season-permit only. That permit covers both the lakes and river for 12 months, so it’s the route to take for regular visits.

Methods: Trotting the glides is the main approach on this shallow, fast-flowing Backwater. For chub, try ledgering into the deeper holes, especially when the river has a bit more colour or pace.

Access & tickets

Full-year season permit

For anglers aged 16 and over; covers both lakes and river for 12 months.

£20 (as listed 16 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Concession season permit

For anglers over 65; covers both lakes and river for 12 months.

£15 (as listed 16 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Children’s fishing

Free for ages 12 to 15 with the required consent form and rod licence where applicable. Free for under-12s with a completed consent form and accompanying adult.

Free (as listed 16 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

From 1 April 2026, fishing is season-permit only and no day tickets are issued. Buy the relevant North Northamptonshire Council season permit; it covers both the lakes and river for 12 months.

Fish the club names

chub, roach

Key rules

  • The statutory river closed season runs from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
  • All fish must be returned alive. Carry a valid Environment Agency rod licence and council season permit.
  • The general limit is three rods, although two may be required in weedy swims.
  • Barbless hooks are required, with specified exceptions for pike fishing. Fixed leads are prohibited; use semi-fixed or sliding systems.
  • Live baiting is prohibited. Predator fishing is permitted only from 1 October to 31 March.
  • No boats, bait boats or drones are allowed. Unhooking mats, landing nets and forceps must be carried.
  • Keepnets, sacks and retaining tubes are prohibited. Baited rods must not be left unattended.

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.

Community reported

Recent angler updates

No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.

How busy was it?

Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.

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

No active water updates.

Help other anglers