Summary
Netham Weir marks the tidal limit of the River Avon on the east side of Bristol, where estuary salt meets fresh. It’s an urban, easy-to-reach crossover mark that can fish superbly for mullet, school bass and flounder when the tide and colour are right. Expect powerful flows, eddies and railed platforms rather than open shorelines.
Location and Access
This mark sits by Netham Lock and the head of the Feeder Canal, between St Philip’s Marsh and Barton Hill. Access is straightforward on hard paths with several railed pegs overlooking the weir pool and tidal river.
- Approach from Feeder Road (St Philip’s Marsh side) for the lock/weir area; or from Netham Road/Netham Park for bank access downstream.
- Parking is typically on-street along Feeder Road (industrial estate-side; observe weekday restrictions) and by Netham Park (daytime only; check local signs). Postcode area BS2/BS5 gets you close.
- The walk-in is short and flat on tarmac towpaths; most spots are within 2–5 minutes of parking.
- Terrain is urban: concrete and stone revetments, metal railings, steps, and muddy margins. Expect snags from debris and the odd shopping trolley in the margins.
Seasons
This is a classic brackish-tidal venue with migratory and estuary species. Summer brings mullet and bass; colder months see flounder push up.
- Common in season:
- Thick-lipped mullet (May–Oct), often visible cruising the eddies and walls.
- Thin-lipped mullet (May–Sep) occasionally along the Feeder/harbour side in clearer water.
- Bass, mostly schoolies (Apr–Nov), with the odd better fish in late summer/autumn.
- Flounder (Sep–Mar), especially on the lower stages of the tide.
- European eel (Jun–Sep) – must be released.
- Occasional/accidental:
- Sea trout and salmon moving through the fish pass (spring–autumn) – protected; do not target.
- Shad (May–Jun) during runs – fully protected; immediate release if accidentally hooked.
- Smelt (late winter–spring) in some years, mostly at night.
Methods
Steady flow and eddies lend themselves to light lure and refined float tactics, with simple estuary rigs for flounder. Travel light and keep end tackle subtle.
- Mullet:
- Bread tactics: small wagglers or freelined crust/flake on size 8–12 fine-wire/circle hooks; 4–6 lb fluoro; trickle a bread mash sparingly to hold them.
- Thin-lips: small in-line spinners or Delta spoons baited with a sliver of ragworm, slow retrieved across the flow.
- Bass:
- Lures: 3–4 inch soft plastics on 5–10 g jigheads, weightless paddle/worm lures, or small topwaters worked along seam lines and walls.
- Baits: running ledger or light pulley with rag/lug, prawn or peeler crab presented tight to structure and current seams.
- Flounder:
- Two-hook flapper or simple paternoster; size 2–4 long-shank hooks; 1–3 oz plain/watch leads that roll and search.
- Baits: ragworm, lugworm, small crab, or mackerel strip; add beads/spoons for attraction.
- Eels (must release):
- Worm baits at dusk on a simple running rig; consider circle hooks to reduce deep-hooking.
- Practicalities:
- A 9–10 ft lure rod or 11–12 ft estuary rod covers most needs; 10–20 lb braid with 12–20 lb leader.
- A long-handled net or drop-net is very useful due to railings/wall height.
- Expect to step up lead weight on big springs; avoid wire grip leads which bury into silt.
Tides and Conditions
Fish movements here are strongly tied to the making tide and slack-water eddies near the weir. Colour, flow and timing beat distance casting every time.
- Tide stage:
- Final two hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb are prime for bass and mullet around the eddies and walls.
- Flounder often show on the last half of the ebb and first push of the flood along muddy edges.
- Springs vs neaps:
- Springs push fish right to the weir and light up bass on lures; be ready for heavy flow.
- Neaps give clearer, steadier water that suits mullet and flounder presentations.
- Conditions:
- Slight colour is ideal; after heavy rain the river can run chocolate and full of debris – tough going.
- Dawn and dusk bites are noticeably better; overcast, humid evenings in summer are excellent for mullet and bass.
- Warm months (May–Oct) are the main season; winter can still produce flounder on calmer neaps.
Safety
This is a powerful, fast-moving tidal river beside a working lock and weir. Treat the edges and flows with real respect, and obey all local signs.
- Do not fish from the weir structure, fish pass, lock gates, or lock landings; expect exclusion zones around the lock (often 25 m) and obey any signage.
- Slippery algae on stonework and steps; wear grippy footwear and consider a lifejacket, especially when fishing alone.
- Surges occur when the lock operates; keep rods leashed and stay behind railings.
- Mud banks are soft and can be dangerous; do not climb down onto exposed foreshore.
- Urban night fishing: go with a mate, use headtorches, and keep valuables out of sight.
- Accessibility: towpaths are wide, flat and paved; several railed spots suit limited mobility. A drop-net helps when landing fish from higher walls.
Facilities
Facilities are urban and close by, but immediate on-site amenities are limited. Plan parking and toilets ahead of time.
- Parking: on-street along Feeder Road and near Netham Park; check weekday restrictions and do not block gates.
- Toilets: none on the mark; nearest are in parks/supermarkets/garages within a short drive.
- Tackle and bait: multiple established tackle shops within 10–15 minutes’ drive in Bristol; phone ahead for live bait.
- Food and drink: cafés and takeaways along Feeder Road and nearby retail areas (mainly weekday/daytime).
- Mobile signal: generally strong 4G/5G; lighting is patchy after dark – bring a headtorch.
- Bins are limited; take all litter and line home.
Tips
Small details make big differences here: reading the flow, travelling light, and matching your presentation to the clarity.
- For mullet, feed walnut-sized bread mash sparingly and let it sink; present flake naturally in the same lane.
- Polarised glasses help you track mullet and spot bass patrolling walls and current seams.
- In late spring and early summer, peeler crab or live prawn can outfish worm for bass tight to the structure.
- Weedless rigging on soft plastics saves gear when debris is moving after rain.
- Use plain/watch leads for flounder to slowly roll and find fish on the muddy edges.
- Carry a drop-net; railings and water level changes make hand-lining risky for both fish and angler.
- When the lock cycles, expect a 5–10 minute lull or surge; bites often resume as the flow stabilises.
Regulations
Rules here span tidal waters, a working lock and migratory fish routes. Always check on-site signs and current national byelaws before you start.
- Lock/weir rules: no fishing from lock gates, landings, weir structures or fish passes, and keep clear of moving craft. Canal & River Trust sites typically prohibit fishing within 25 m of locks – follow all posted exclusions.
- EA rod licence: you do not need a licence to fish solely for sea fish in tidal waters, but you do need a valid Environment Agency rod licence if targeting freshwater species (including eels) or using freshwater methods. Given the mixed fishery here, many anglers carry a licence as best practice.
- Protected species: salmon, sea trout and shad are protected; do not target them. If accidentally hooked, unhook carefully and release immediately. Salmonid close seasons apply in this catchment.
- European eel: must be released alive; the Environment Agency strongly discourages deliberate targeting.
- Bass: recreational bass measures (minimum size and seasonal bag/closure periods) change periodically. Check the latest UK government/MMO notice before fishing; retain only legal fish and practise catch-and-release for schoolies.
- Respect any Bristol Harbour/City Council byelaws that may apply to the Feeder Canal and adjacent structures; parts of the harbour estate are designated no-fishing zones.
- General: take litter home, don’t obstruct the towpath, and use barbless or crushed-barb hooks where practical to aid safe release.
