River Trent: Carlton-on-Trent (Tidal)

River level

The lowdown

• The Federation-controlled water starts 550 yards upstream of Carlton Beck, roughly seven miles north of Newark. It’s a good-sized bit of tidal river rather than a tiny little brook.
• This is a powerful, moving-tide venue. Water levels can rise significantly and quickly, so keep an eye on the river and don’t get too casual about where you leave kit.
• Bream are a named target, with large shoals moving through on the tide. That gives you a proper chance of a busy feeder session when they’re on the munch.
• Barbel are also specifically named for the stretch. They’ll need a solid setup in that pushy water, with enough lead to keep everything pinned down.
• The venue is primarily suited to feeder fishing. Heavy groundbait-feeder tactics are recommended by the Federation, especially when you need to get bait down through the flow.
• Take a range of lead weights. The tide changes, and what holds bottom early on may start trundling later. A bit of adjustment is all part of the game here.
• There are 20 pegs, but access is on foot only. Go in via Church Lane, through the gate and across two fields to the riverbank. Bob on, but it’s a proper walk with tackle.
• Livestock graze the fields, so close every gate securely. Keep noise down through the village and near the church, and don’t leave tackle or bait bags unattended by the water.
• Parking is on the public highway only, and it must be legal and considerate. Leave room for residents and farm vehicles, then take every scrap of litter home.

Methods: Feeder fishing is the main game here, with heavy groundbait feeders and a selection of leads to cope with the changing tide. Target the bream shoals as they move through, while barbel are another named option.

Access & tickets

Non-members can get day tickets, but the Federation’s checked pages give neither a price nor a purchase method. Memberships use photographic ID cards, and the membership page warns that website purchases are temporarily stopped.

Fish the club names

bream, barbel

Key rules

• Close all gates securely because livestock graze the fields.
• Keep noise to a minimum through the village and near the church.
• Do not leave tackle or bait bags unattended near the water's edge.
• Take all litter home.
• Fires and barbecues are prohibited.
• Bank digging or altering the natural environment is prohibited.
• Radios and offensive noise are prohibited during night fishing.
• All fish must be returned safely to the water.
• Live bait, bloodworm, feed worm and jokers are prohibited on Federation waters.

Where it is