TackleIndex
River

Millennium Water

Plan a session

Millennium Water is roughly half a mile of the River Avon just south of Downton, Wiltshire, run by Salisbury & District Angling Club. Formerly the famous Bull Water, it’s a proper chalk-stream coarse fishery with big chub, double-figure barbel and plenty of history.

Run by Salisbury & District Angling Club · checked 15 Oct 2026

River level

River level integration coming for this stretch.

The lowdown

  • This is classic Avon country: clear-ish chalk-stream water, gravel runs, deeper holes and plenty of character. A cracking bit of river for a roving session.
  • Depths vary nicely, from around 3-foot gravel runs to holes reaching about 9 feet opposite the island. That gives you options when the river’s carrying different levels of colour and pace.
  • The official page mentions an island, adding a handy crease and extra flow changes to explore. Look for the seams where steady water meets the quicker stuff.
  • Late June and through summer, ranunculus can really pile on. Lovely for the river, but it can make presentation and landing fish a bit of a faff.
  • Summer can get busy around the Millennium Green, with dog walkers and the occasional bather. Early starts or a short evening visit sound bob on at that time of year.
  • When late autumn and winter strip the weed back, get the float gear out and trot for chub. Chub over 6 lb are regularly caught, so don’t skimp on the tackle.
  • Barbel to double figures are present, with dace, roach, bream, perch, pike and grayling also named for the stretch. There’s a fair bit to keep you interested.
  • Wild brown trout provide spring sport for game anglers, while the stretch’s Avon roach history is marked by a commemorative Roach Seat for angler Gerry Swanton.
  • Access is refreshingly straightforward from the designated gated car park. No stiles or gates to climb, so getting from the car to the river is nice and easy.
  • We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: A versatile coarse-fishing stretch, with trotting for chub a cracking late-autumn and winter option. Barbel, roach and the other named species give you scope for float, feeder or more mobile approaches, depending on weed and flow.

Access & tickets

SDAC fishing permission

Contact Salisbury & District Angling Club to confirm the current ticket or membership arrangement for Millennium Water.

Environment Agency rod licence

Required for fishing club waters.

Buy membership through the club’s Clubmate portal, where members can also download fishery maps and rules. The 2026–27 guide lists an additional £20 joining fee.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, barbel, trout, chub, chub

Key rules

  • A valid Environment Agency rod licence is required for fishing club waters.
  • Current detailed rules are not stated on the Millennium Water page; confirm them with SDAC before fishing.
  • Fishing hours are not stated on the Millennium Water page; confirm them with SDAC before fishing.
  • Night-fishing provisions are not stated on the Millennium Water page; confirm them with SDAC before fishing.

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.

Community reported

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