Netham Weir Fishing

Last updated: 1 month ago

Netham Weir Fishing Map

Urban, tidal-river mark at the head of the tide on the River Avon. Netham Weir creates fast-flowing seams and slack eddies that draw mullet and occasional bass on the flood, with eels and flounder more active at dusk and into the night. Access is straightforward from paths by Netham Lock/Feeder Road, but expect strong currents, sudden level changes when gates operate, and slippery edges—fish from safe, railed platforms only. Best from late spring through early autumn on a rising tide and the first of the ebb; water clarity is often better on neaps. Keep tactics subtle and mobile: sight-fish for mullet in the eddies and work lures along the crease below the weir.

Ratings

⭐ 5.7/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 5/10
Scenery & Comfort 5/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Netham Weir

🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 9/10
🎯 Tip: Bread flake under a float along the walls and sluices. Best on a flooding tide in summer-autumn; keep quiet, use light line and small hooks.
🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Work small soft plastics or surface lures in the turbulent water below the weir on the flood, especially at dusk or after rain. Also try peeler crab or prawn baits tight to flow lines.
🐟 European Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: After dark, ledger worm or small fish strip in the margins; use minimal lead to avoid snags. Warm months; neap tides reduce debris.
🐟 Flounder 6/10
🎯 Tip: Ledger ragworm or lug on size 2-4 hooks, cast to crease lines and inch back slowly. Best late autumn to winter on the ebb.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Baited Mepps (rag or isome) retrieved slowly along the wall on the flood in clear water. Late spring to early autumn.
🐟 Golden-grey Mullet 4/10
🎯 Tip: Light float gear with small rag or bread near slack water around outflows; warm, clear conditions. Roaming shoals.
🐟 European Smelt 3/10
🎯 Tip: Winter evenings around flow and any lights; tiny sabikis or small spoons worked midwater on the flood.
🐟 Common Goby 3/10
🎯 Tip: Micro hooks with tiny rag or squid slivers dropped tight to steps and rocks; short drop, summer floods.
🐟 Sand Goby 3/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny baits on micro hooks fished static on the edge of flow lanes; summer on the flood.
🐟 Sea Trout 3/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional near the weir. Small spoons or shallow plugs at first light on the flood; handle carefully and release.

Netham Weir Fishing

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.