The Counter Drain is a productive lowland waterway offering good mixed coarse fishing in a moderately-managed water environment. You can expect to encounter a healthy population of carp, bream, and pike alongside roach, rudd, and tench, making it suitable for both float and leger anglers. Access and permits vary along the drain; check with the local Internal Drainage Board and Environment Agency for current access points and any seasonal restrictions.
Counter Drain observes the standard close season: 15 March – 15 June (rivers, England & Wales). Always check local byelaws before your visit. A rod licence alone does not grant access — most stretches require club membership or a day ticket in addition.
Water level data from the Environment Agency Real Time Flood Monitoring API. Nearest gauging station. Always verify conditions on arrival.
Filter by water type, species and access. View Counter Drain and thousands of other UK fishing venues on the interactive map.
Counter Drain holds carp, bream, roach, rudd, tench, dace, perch, pike, zander, gudgeon, eel, bleak, ruffe.
Carp are a popular target on Counter Drain — handle carefully with a landing net and unhooking mat, and return promptly.
An EA rod licence is required by law to fish Counter Drain. Club membership or a day ticket is also required on most stretches.
To fish Counter Drain, you need a valid EA rod licence, available online from gov.uk. Annual, day and 8-day licences are available. In addition to the rod licence, you will need club membership or a day ticket from the controlling angling club or riparian owner for most stretches of Counter Drain.
Always check conditions before you visit. Water quality, access and rules can change seasonally. The EA's Catchment Data Explorer provides up-to-date water quality information for Counter Drain.
Other UK fishing waters near Counter Drain on PiscaMaps: