Swansea Canal – Swansea Stretch

The Swansea Canal – Swansea Stretch runs through the Swansea Valley, covering the canal from Clydach towards Godre’r Graig. It’s associated with Pontardawe and Swansea Angling Society Ltd, usually shortened to PASAS. Proper old-school canal fishing, then, rather than a tidy commercial lake with numbered swims and a café on the corner.

• 1 lake: Swansea Canal – Clydach to Godre’r Graig
• Fish: carp
• Tickets from: Adult new member — £85
• Find it: Swansea · SA6 5LN

Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.

The Swansea Canal – Swansea Stretch runs through the Swansea Valley, covering the canal from Clydach towards Godre’r Graig. It’s associated with Pontardawe and Swansea Angling Society Ltd, usually shortened to PASAS. Proper old-school canal fishing, then, rather than a tidy commercial lake with numbered swims and a café on the corner.

There are no separate lakes listed for the venue, and no lake acreage or official stocked-species list has been published for this stretch. Canal coarse fish such as roach may be present, but that isn’t confirmed by the official listing. There are no published specimen sizes either, so this is one to approach with an open mind rather than expecting a guaranteed bag of lumps.

The setting has a bit of history about it too. The Swansea Canal was originally built between 1794 and 1798, with photos showing canal structures around Clydach and Trebanos, plus Ynystawe Works near Clydach. That gives the trip a proper bit of character. Have a wander, take in the features and spend a few minutes working out where the water seems to offer cover, depth or a quieter-looking edge.

For tackling a new canal, keeping things mobile and tidy is bob on. A simple float outfit, a handful of small baits and a landing net make a sensible starting point, while a few spare rigs are worth packing in case the towpath or snags get involved. Check the swim carefully before setting up, fish the margins where it looks right and don’t be afraid to move if the peg feels flat. That’s general canal planning, not a promise of particular pegs or fish.

The permit setup is through PASAS. Membership runs from 1 March to the last day of February, with adult new membership listed at £85 and renewal at £65 when renewed before the end of April. A £10 PASAS day permit is also listed, and an online day ticket is available for £10 through The Fishing Passport. Availability should be checked on the booking calendar before travelling. HR Jones in Clydach is also listed as a permit outlet.

A valid Environment Agency rod licence is needed as well as the fishing permit, and the official FAQ says fishing is only permitted during the applicable open season. No official clock times or separate night-fishing entitlement are published for this stretch. Before heading off, check the booking details and confirm access with PASAS, as availability can change. Then keep the kit sensible, stay mobile and enjoy a proper bit of canal exploration through the Swansea Valley.

Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.

Videos linked by the fishery

• Our read

  Checked Sept '26 — “A club-controlled Swansea Canal stretch running from Clydach towards Godre’r Graig, with fishing tied to PASAS membership and online day permits. Proper canal angling rather than a commercial lake setup, so check the booking calendar, season and access before setting off.”

This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.