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Fishing in West Sussex

England · 40 mapped waters · West Sussex
40 Rivers England
40
Mapped rivers
453km
Total river length
55
Fish species
2
Free fishing rivers
1
Navigable rivers
5
Good water quality

Fishing in West Sussex

West Sussex offers 40 mapped fishing waters on PiscaMaps, including 40 rivers. Species found across West Sussex's waters include Roach, Eel, Rudd, Perch, Bream, Chub, Pike, Dace.

The South East EA region includes Hampshire's world-famous chalk streams — the Test and Itchen are the spiritual home of dry-fly trout fishing. Rivers across Kent, Sussex and Berkshire offer coarse fishing for chub, roach, perch and pike, with salmon and sea trout present in several rivers.

A valid Environment Agency (EA) rod licence is required to fish all rivers, canals and most stillwaters in West Sussex. Licences are available from gov.uk. Club membership or a day ticket is required on most waters in addition to the rod licence.

2 free fishing rivers

Featured Rivers in West Sussex

All Rivers in West Sussex (40)

Click a river for species information, close season dates, access notes and a location map.

Aldingbourne Rife
River · 7.9km · Common Carp, Carp
Boldings Brook
River · 12km · Bream, Chub
Bosham Channel
Tidal River · 2.7km · Bass, Mullet
Bremere Rife
River · 5.6km · Roach, Rudd
Broad Rife
Tidal River · 3.5km · Eel
Channells Brook
River · 5.7km · Brown trout, roach
Chichester Channel
Tidal River · 8.9km · bass, grey mullet
Chichester Ship Canal
Canal · 3.6km · roach, bream
Chichester and Arundel Canal
Canal · 0.2km · Roach, Rudd
Cockhaise Brook
River · 8.5km · Carp, Bream
Costers Brook
River · 5.9km · Chub, Pike
Cowfold Stream
River · 5.9km · Common Carp, Carp
Cutlers Brook
River · 11.3km · brown trout, grayling
Danehill Brook
River · 5.6km · Brown trout, brook trout
Emsworth Channel
Tidal River · 6.5km · Bass, mullet
Ferry Channel
Tidal River · 2.6km · Bass, Mullet
Fishbourne Channel
Tidal River · 3.7km · Sea trout, Bass
Gatwick Stream
River · 11.7km · Barbel, Bream
Hammer Stream
River · 18.9km · Bream, Chub
Herrings Stream
River · 12.4km · Carp, Bream
Lancing Brook
River · 6.2km · Bream, Chub
Lidsey Rife
River · 5.2km · Roach, Rudd
North River
River · 13.6km · Common Carp, Carp
Pagham Rife
River · 10km · Common Carp, Bream
Pellingford Brook
River · 7.7km · Chub, Roach
River Adur
Tidal River · 15.4km · Common Carp, Carp
River Adur (Eastern Branch)
Tidal River · 2.3km · Sea trout, Bass
River Adur (Western Branch)
River · 19.4km · Roach, Dace
River Adur (Western Branch)
Tidal River · 2.4km · Roach, Bream
River Arun
River · 44.7km · Common Carp, Carp
River Arun
Tidal River · 38.2km · Common Carp, Carp
River Kird
River · 15.7km · Bream, Chub
River Lavant
River · 12.9km · Trout, Eel
River Lod
River · 13.7km · Common Carp, Bream
River Medway FREE
River · 73.9km · Common Carp, Carp
River Rother FREE
Tidal River · 6.8km · Common Carp, Carp
River Stor
River · 5.6km · Bream, Chub
Ryebank Rife
River · 7.2km · Brown trout, Dace
Scrase Stream
River · 5.9km · Eel
West Arm
Tidal River · 3.6km · Common Carp, Carp

Fish Species in West Sussex

55 species recorded across West Sussex's rivers:

Roach26 waters
Eel23 waters
Rudd22 waters
Perch22 waters
Bream21 waters
Chub21 waters
Pike21 waters
Dace20 waters
Gudgeon19 waters
Trout19 waters
Tench14 waters
Common Carp11 waters

Carp are a popular target across West Sussex's waters — always use a landing net and unhooking mat and return fish promptly.

Barbel fishing is well regarded in West Sussex's rivers, particularly through summer and autumn when water temperatures are higher.

Brown trout are present in West Sussex's rivers — many are catch-and-release only and may be subject to game fishing close seasons (typically 1 October to 14 March).

PiscaMaps UK fishing map
Interactive Map

Explore West Sussex fishing on PiscaMaps

View all rivers, stillwaters and canals across West Sussex on the interactive map. Filter by species, water type and access.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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