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Burton-on-Trent, Watersmeet — Coors Angling Club (DAWN TO DUSK ONLY)

Watersmeet is a proper River Trent club stretch near Burton upon Trent, with loads of swims and some cracking fish-holding water. It’s members only, dawn to dusk, and the Pipe Bridge swim is the one for a cheeky big-chub mission.

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

River level

Measured — Environment Agency

Drakelow 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

  • Access is through the double coral-type gates at the end of Baileys Meadow. Keep an eye on the notices posted there before setting up.
  • This is countryside surprisingly close to Burton’s urban area. Kingfishers, herons, buzzards, green woodpeckers and oystercatchers all get a mention around the water.
  • There are many swims, although plenty aren’t formally marked pegs. Some are easy to get to and can produce good nets of fish.
  • Take care on the higher banks. It’s not a place for charging about with a tackle bag and three rods swinging.
  • The Pipe Bridge swim is the headline spot, with the club noting large chub and catches of 30 lb or more. Proper chub water, by the sound of it.
  • Opposite the island, the shorter Sinii section is slower than the main Watersmeet stretch. It can turn up barbel, chub, roach and bream.
  • Named targets across the section include chub, roach, barbel, pike, carp and bream. There’s enough variety to keep a session interesting.
  • Livestock rules matter here. While cattle are in the meadow, it’s foot access only: no vehicles beyond the gates and no dogs. The club may close the water altogether when bulls are in the field.
  • Fishing is strictly dawn until dusk, with no night fishing. The river close season runs from 15 March until 16 June, when no fishing is allowed on club river waters.

Methods: The slower Sinii water looks handy for a steady feeder or trotting approach for roach, bream and chub, while the main stretch and Pipe Bridge are worth looking at for barbel and bigger chub. Keep things sensible around the high banks, carry a proper landing net and use an unhooking mat when targeting specimen fish.

Access & tickets

2026-2027 full membership

Covers the club’s river, canal and lake waters. Subject to committee approval via the club application form.

£45 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Membership for anglers aged 18 to 21

Coors Angling Club membership.

£15 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Canal member upgrade to full membership

Submit the canal card with the form.

£33 (as listed 13 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Apply to Coors Angling Club for membership; applications need committee approval. No river day-ticket offer is published.

Fish the club names

carp, bream, pike, barbel, roach, chub

Key rules

  • Members must carry a Coors club membership card while fishing.
  • An Environment Agency rod licence is required.
  • Fishing is strictly dawn until dusk only; night fishing is not permitted.
  • The river close season runs from 15 March until 16 June. No fishing is allowed on club river waters during the close season.
  • Unhooking mats are required when targeting specimen fish.
  • A suitable landing net is required.
  • During livestock restrictions, access is foot only, with no vehicles beyond the gates and no dogs.
  • Fishing is prohibited during cattle-related closures. Check the closure notices on the Baileys gates.

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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