Bluebell Lakes River Nene, Tansor

River level

The lowdown

• This is a cracking bit of the Nene near Oundle, run by Bluebell Lakes Fishery. It’s natural, varied and a touch more unpredictable than the venue’s lakes.
• The river section runs for two miles and has more than 80 pegs. Plenty are accessible by car, which keeps the faff down on a busy kit day.
• Expect reed-lined margins, flowing water and the usual river features. Locks and weirs add extra depth, pace and ambush spots.
• It’s a varied coarse-fishing ecosystem. Roach, bream and dace are named, with specimen chub also noted for the river.
• Tench are present in good numbers, while resident carp include fish over 30lb. That’s a proper bonus when you’re expecting a day of traditional river fishing.
• Pike and perch are present, especially through the cooler months. Pike fishing on the River Nene is permitted only in winter.
• The river is described as less predictable than the lakes, so stay mobile-minded. Read the crease, watch the pace around features and be ready to switch things up.
• Trotting, float work and feeder fishing all fit the flowing-water character, while carp-focused approaches make sense where the bigger resident fish show. The exact approach will depend on the peg and conditions.
• Fishing is only allowed from the provided pegs. Three rods are permitted per peg unless it is marked as a double peg, so there’s room for a tidy multi-rod setup.
• Day tickets are available, and a 24-hour ticket is offered. The published rules don’t give a separate river night-fishing rule, so check with reception before planning an overnight session.

Methods: A proper all-round river venue: try trotting or feeder work for the mixed coarse fish, then switch tactics if carp or bigger chub show. Read the flow around the reeds, locks and weirs, and keep an eye on the weather — this river can be a bit cheeky.

Access & tickets

Day tickets are available from Bluebell Lakes Fishery. From April 2026, the day ticket costs £8 for three rods; a 24-hour ticket costs £30 for three rods. Anglers must report to reception before fishing.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, chub, rudd

Key rules

• Manufactured barbless hooks are required.
• Braided mainline is prohibited.
• Keep sacks are prohibited.
• Each angler must have their own 42-inch landing net and an unhooking mat or cradle.
• Pike fishing is permitted only in winter on Bluebell Lake and the River Nene.
• Livebaiting is prohibited.
• Fishing is only permitted from the provided pegs. Three rods are allowed per peg unless a peg is marked as double.
• No fires, fire pits or generators. Report to reception before going onto the complex.

Where it is