Free Fishing

It’s true – at these sites you don't have to pay for a day ticket or permit, but you must have a valid rod licence (go to the Environment Agency’s fishing pages  for more information). 

You can catch many different species of fish in these areas. Happy fishing!

Oxford

Location: Osney Lock, River Thames
Description: First 150m below Osney Lock on towpath side

Location: Iffley Lock, River Thames
Description: First 100m below Iffley Lock on towpath side

Newbury

Location: Northcroft Recreation Ground, River Kennet
Description: Fishing permitted on the North bank of the River Kennet only.

Reading

Location: Waterloo Meadows, River Kennet
Description: This area provides free fishing on the Kennet with an attractive riverside park. The park ranges from grassland to thorny woodland and is consequently rich in wildlife. Two fishing platforms provide easy access for people with wheelchairs whilst a river dipping platform is used for educational work.
Car parking: Small car park attached to Children’s Centre off Elgar Road North at the junction with Waterloo Road (please do not park on the road).

Location: Hills Meadow, Reading, River Thames
Description: The effect of Caversham Weir and the backing up of the current around the small mill stream combine in this section. The considerable flow of the main stream close to the bank contrasts with the slow and shallow water of the mill stream. Spaces are limited due to the bankside trees and vegetation.
Car parking: Pay and display car park off George Street at Reading Bridge.

Location: Caversham Lock, Reading, River Thames
Description: This is an attractive fishery providing easily accessible, comfortable fishing right
through Kings Meadow, Reading down to the junction of the Kennet and Avon Canal at Kennet mouth. No fishing from mooring platform at Tesco or from lock area.
Car parking: Pay and display car park off Napier Road

Location: Christchurch Meadow, Oxford, River Thames
Description: Especially popular on summer weekends. Access to the river is very good with the entire length of the river bank available downstream from Wolsey Road. Upstream from Wolsey Road to the end of the section, fishing is prohibited as the site is a swan sanctuary. There is a platform for wheelchairs near Wolsey Road.
Car parking: No parking available.

Location: Thames Side Promenade, Reading, River Thames
Description: A particularly popular and attractive park area, Thames Prom provides a pleasant setting for relaxing fishing. Although the river is often busy with rowers and other water traffic there is usually enough space for all river users to exist together. No fishing for 200m upstream and downstream to Caversham Bridge due to swan sanctuary.
Car parking: Thameside Promenade Car park off Richfield Avenue near Holiday Inn (do not park on access road or use hotel car park). Plenty of additional parking at Rivermead Leisure Complex

Location: Sonning Lock, River Thames
Description: Upstream of lock on tow-path to old power station discharge point, just beyond island in river, fishing available throughout season. Downstream from lock to Sonning Road Bridge on towpath side, 1st November to 14th March only.

Staines to Teddington

Location: River Thames, Staines Bridge to Teddington (16 miles). You can fish for free anywhere downstream of Staines Bridge to Teddington where there is public access.

Teddington

Location: Teddington Lock.