Arlingham Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Arlingham Fishing Map

Arlingham is a classic upper Severn estuary mark on the Arlingham Peninsula, with a long floodbank overlooking broad mudflats and a fast, powerful main channel that comes within casting range on bigger tides. Expect very soft mud, rapidly flooding/ebbing tides and the Severn Bore; always fish from the firm bank or sea wall and retreat well before bore times. Best windows are roughly 2 hours before to 1 hour after high water. Flounder are the mainstay, with thin‑lipped mullet in the warmer months and school bass on flooding tides; silver eels are common after dark and sea trout pass through seasonally. Use strong grip leads (5–6 oz), simple flapper rigs for worm baits, and stealthy light tackle for mullet. Access is via lanes and footpaths with limited parking and some long walks along the floodbank.

Ratings

⭐ 5.4/10 Overall
Catch Potential 6/10
Species Variety 5/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 3/10
Accessibility 5/10

Fish You Can Catch at Arlingham

🐟 Flounder 8/10
🎯 Tip: Fish 2h before to 1h after high on big tides; ledger lugworm or peeler along channel edges; 4–5oz grip lead to hold in strong flow; avoid soft mud.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Flood and first of ebb; cast crab or rag to seams/eddies off bends; 3–4oz grip leads; May–Oct, dusk and after the bore best.
🐟 European Eel 6/10
🎯 Tip: Warm evenings Jun–Sep; worm or fish strip on a running ledger in creeks/margins; long hooklengths and circle hooks; release carefully.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Neap tides and clearer water; small Mepps-style spinner tipped with rag, worked in slack margins/outfalls on the flood; late spring–early autumn.
🐟 Common Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Ultra-light gear; size 16–20 hooks with tiny worm bits; dip along muddy margins and pools at half tide; good for species hunting.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in summer; bread flake/paste under a clear float in quiet back-eddies; stealthy approach, 4–6 lb line.
🐟 European Smelt 3/10
🎯 Tip: Late winter on big evening highs; small sabikis or size 12–14 hooks with fish sliver, worked midwater in the main run; brief feeding near slack.
🐟 Sea Trout 2/10
🎯 Tip: Rare by-catch in spring; if hooked while spinning for bass, use single barbless and release immediately; encounters at dusk on the flood.

Arlingham Fishing

Summary

Arlingham sits on the great horseshoe bend of the upper Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, opposite Newnham. It’s a classic muddy estuary mark with huge tides, fierce flow, and fish that push right under your feet at high water. Anglers come for flounder and school bass, with the occasional winter codling when conditions line up.

Location and Access

Arlingham is reached via minor lanes off the A38 through Frampton-on-Severn/Whitminster, heading to Arlingham village and the riverbank. Access is straightforward but rural; the last stretch is narrow and shared with farm traffic.

Seasons

This is an estuary-dominated venue with highly colored water and seasonal visitors. Most fish are taken on bait close to the margins at the top of the tide.

Methods

Bait fishing dominates due to strong flow and low visibility. Keep rigs simple, robust, and pinned down.

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s tidal range is enormous. Picking the right state of tide and avoiding the bore makes or breaks a session.

Safety

This is a high-risk estuary with soft mud, fast currents, and sudden surges. Treat it with absolute respect.

Facilities

Arlingham is rural with limited on-site amenities. Plan to be self-sufficient.

Tips

Small tweaks matter on this river. Think close-in, scented baits, and tidy rigs that ride the tide.

Regulations

This is a tidal estuary with national sea fisheries rules and protected species present. Always check the latest official guidance before you go.