The Macclesfield Canal is a picturesque 35.7km waterway in Cheshire that winds through rural and semi-urban landscapes, offering a mix of intimate towpath fishing and open water opportunities. Anglers can expect to catch a good variety of coarse fish including roach, bream, and pike, with the quieter sections particularly productive for specimen hunting. Access is generally good via towpath and established fishing pegs; however, a Canal & River Trust day ticket is required, and some sections may have local restrictions—check with the trust or local angling clubs before planning your visit.
Macclesfield Canal holds roach, bream, pike, perch, tench, carp, chub. The mixed species make it a good all-round coarse venue.
An Environment Agency rod licence is required alongside a Canal & River Trust day or annual fishing licence. Both available online.
The following stretches of the Macclesfield 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:
Always verify current free-fishing extents on the Canal & River Trust website before your session, as extents may change.
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To fish Macclesfield 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 Macclesfield 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.