Newark (Trent Dyke — Red Bridge)

River level

The lowdown

• The fishery is officially called Red Bridge and sits on the non-tidal River Trent Dyke around Cow Lane and Mather Road, Newark.
• There are 35 pegs, with stepped, stone-reinforced access on many federation pegs. Handy stuff when the bank’s a bit awkward.
• The water has a steady flow, so expect proper moving water rather than a still, flat swim. Float fishing is the approach the federation specifically highlights.
• Bream, chub and barbel are named as present here. The federation also describes the stretch as having all the usual species.
• Top-of-fishery access is from Mather Road, beside the marina and footbridge. Parking there is limited, so don’t bank on bagging a spot.
• A decent alternative is parking near Aldi on Cow Lane, then crossing the footbridge. There’s cheap all-day parking opposite the Aldi entrance too.
• The lower pegs via Hatchetts Lane are currently more of a faff, with the pedestrian railway crossing closed. That means extra walking for the downstream section.
• This is civil-dawn-to-civil-dusk fishing only. No night fishing, and day tickets run from dawn to dusk.
• The coarse-fishing close season runs from 15 March through 15 June, so plan visits outside that window.
• Full and associate federation members can fish, while day tickets are available online or on the bank. A ticket allows up to two rods, but they must not be left unattended.

Methods: A float setup is the obvious starting point in the steady flow, working the crease and any neater glide you find. Two rods are allowed on a day ticket, though keep everything attended and stick to the two-rod maximum.

Access & tickets

Full and Associate Members can fish here, and visitors can buy a day ticket online or on the bank. For online purchases, your order receipt is your ticket — show it on your phone or bring a paper copy.

Fish the club names

bream, chub, barbel

Key rules

• Hold a current fishing licence as well as the relevant federation ticket or membership.
• Follow federation notices and bailiff instructions.
• No litter and no fires.
• Rods must not be left unattended.
• A maximum of two rods may be used simultaneously.
• Multi-hook rigs are prohibited.
• Fish may not be removed or introduced. Live bait for predatory fishing is prohibited; dead or artificial bait is allowed.
• Fishing from boats or kayaks, in locks or close to locks, and adjacent to Newark Castle is prohibited. Peg saving is also prohibited.

Where it is