West Midlands · England & Wales · UK Canal · Fully Navigable
West Midlands Fully Navigable🌎 Free stretches available279.5kmWQ: Moderate
About Grand Union Canal
This 16km canal holds excellent stocks of carp, bream, chub, roach, tench, and pike, with smaller species including perch, rudd, and gudgeon adding variety for float and feeder fishing. A rod licence and Canal & River Trust day or annual permit are required to fish.
Length
279.5 km
CRT Region
West Midlands
Navigation
Fully Navigable
Water Quality
Moderate
Close Season
No close season (canals & stillwaters)
Managed by
Canal & River Trust
Free stretches
WW Scheme
Fish Species in Grand Union Canal
Grand Union Canal holds common carp, carp, crucian carp, bream, chub, roach, rudd, tench, dace, perch, pike, gudgeon, eel, bleak, ruffe. Carp are particularly popular with specimen anglers — handle all fish with care and return them promptly.
An Environment Agency rod licence is required alongside a Canal & River Trust day or annual fishing licence. Both available online.
Common CarpCarpCrucian CarpBreamChubRoachRuddTenchDacePerchPikeGudgeonEelBleakRuffe
Free Fishing — Waterways Wanderers
The following stretches of the Grand Union Canal are included in the Waterways Wanderers free-fishing scheme. These sections are open to anglers holding a valid Environment Agency rod licence at no extra cost:
Free Fishing Stretches
Bridge 166 to Lock 72 Cassiobury Park
Bridge 191 Trout Road Bridge to Lock 87 Denham
Road bridge 209 High Street (below Brentford Lock) to Lock 101 Thames and from a point 200 metres north of Brentford Lock to Bridge 200 Hayes
Always verify current free-fishing extents on the Canal & River Trust website before your session, as extents may change.
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The canal holds Common Carp, Carp, Crucian Carp, Bream, Chub, Roach, Rudd, Tench, Dace, Perch, Pike, Gudgeon, Eel, Bleak, Ruffe. Carp are a popular target — handle and return all fish with care.
Do I need a licence to fish Grand Union Canal?+
Yes — you need both an Environment Agency rod licence (from gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence) and a Canal & River Trust licence or day permit. Both can be bought online before your session.
Is there a close season on Grand Union Canal?+
No close season (canals & stillwaters) Always check current byelaws before fishing.
Are there free fishing sections on Grand Union Canal?+
Yes — certain stretches are included in the Waterways Wanderers scheme, giving free fishing with a valid EA rod licence. Sections include: Bridge 166 to Lock 72 Cassiobury Park; Bridge 191 Trout Road Bridge to Lock 87 Denham. Check the CRT website for current extents.
Can boats use the Grand Union Canal?+
The Grand Union Canal is fully navigable and managed by the Canal & River Trust. Hire boats and private craft are common during the season — anglers on the towpath should allow boat traffic to pass freely.
Planning a Trip to Grand Union Canal
To fish Grand Union Canal, you need a valid Environment Agency rod licence, available from gov.uk, plus a Canal & River Trust fishing licence or day permit. Both can be purchased online before your visit. Day tickets, weekly and annual CRT licences are all available.
The towpath alongside Grand Union Canal provides bank access for most of its length. Some stretches may be managed by local angling clubs — check for club-only water before setting up. Always leave gates as you find them and take all litter home.
