Upgrade to Premium — Swim Mapper · Catch Logger · Trip Planner (Free trial) · Access to all 11,832 European public venues  £5.95/mo  ·  £49.95/yr
Upgrade →
Fishery or lake owner? Get your water in front of 1000's of anglers from £49.95/yr.
See pricing →

Great Stour Fishing Guide

Tidal River · 14.2km (9 miles) · United Kingdom
Tidal River Close season applies WQ: Moderate

About Great Stour

The Great Stour is a tidal stretch offering mixed coarse fishing with good species diversity across its 14.2km length. The tidal nature creates varied conditions and movement of fish, making it an interesting venue for both experienced and developing anglers. Access is available at several points along the river, though anglers should check local Environment Agency guidance and obtain necessary permits before fishing.

The statutory close season on Great Stour runs No close season (tidal waters). No coarse fishing is permitted during this period. Beyond the rod licence, fishing rights on Great Stour are typically held by local angling clubs — check with the relevant club or day ticket provider before visiting.

Current Water Conditions

Loading water level data…

Water level data from the Environment Agency Real Time Flood Monitoring API. Nearest gauging station. Always verify conditions on arrival.

Water Type
Tidal River
Length
14.2km (9mi)
Close Season
No close season (tidal waters)
Water Quality
Moderate
Fish Status
High
Licence Required
EA Rod Licence
PiscaMaps UK fishing map
Interactive Map

Explore UK rivers, canals and stillwaters on PiscaMaps

Filter by water type, species and access. View Great Stour and thousands of other UK fishing venues on the interactive map.

4,638
Rivers
130
Canals
208
Stillwaters
Open UK Map

Fish Species in Great Stour

Great Stour holds common carp, carp, barbel, bream, chub, roach, rudd, tench, dace, perch, pike, gudgeon, trout, eel, bleak.

Carp are a popular target on Great Stour — handle carefully with a landing net and unhooking mat, and return promptly.

Trout fishing on Great Stour may be subject to season restrictions set by the local club or riparian owner — always confirm before your session.

An EA rod licence is required by law to fish Great Stour. Club membership or a day ticket is also required on most stretches.

Great Stour — Photography

Great Stour, United Kingdom

Image via Wikipedia · Used under Creative Commons licence

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a Trip to Great Stour

To fish Great Stour, 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 Great Stour.

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 Great Stour.

Nearby Rivers & Canals

Other UK fishing waters near Great Stour on PiscaMaps: