Where’s The Fish? Logo for Where's The Fish?
Gloucestershire

Arlingham

5.4 · Estuary · Gloucestershire

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.

Should you fish Arlingham?

55 Fair

Today · Forecast window

Forecast window: Forecast window unavailable

Most likely species: Flounder and Bass

Fair conditions. Forecast window unavailable. Good chance of Flounder and Bass.

NW 3 mph Rain 0% High tide 02:02

Fishable, but pick your timing carefully.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Arlingham — 7-day forecast

Scores and best windows are weighted for .

Met Office Met Office · Open-Meteo

Where the data comes from. Weather and sea-state readings come from the Met Office and Open-Meteo forecast models, refreshed several times a day. High and low water are taken from tide-station predictions for this stretch of coast.

How the score works. Each window is scored 0–100 from the signals that most reliably move fish inshore: tide movement (a running tide carries food, so the last of the flood and first of the ebb are usually the prime spells), wind speed and direction (onshore wind stirs food into the surf — up to the point it makes fishing hard), sea state (a little wave and swell movement helps, heavy swell hurts), and weather — rain, temperature and light. Behind the headline number we score bite opportunity and comfort separately, and run a separate safety check on wind and swell. The size of the tide counts too: spring tides move more water than neaps, so the tidal range for this stretch of coast is weighed alongside the tide's direction, your target species and this mark — and unusually big springs strengthen the safety check, because the water rises faster and covers more ground.

Your target species counts. Pick a species below and the score also weights what we know about it — its season, preferred sea temperature, tide stage and sea state, and whether it feeds by day or night.

The rating is guidance, not a guarantee — conditions change fast on the coast, so always judge the sea in front of you before you fish.

Stop guessing when to fish this mark. Unlock the week to see every score and exact window.

· windows & tide

Spring vs neap tides. Spring tides have a larger difference between high and low water, so more water moves on each tide — usually stronger flow that stirs up food and gets fish feeding. Neap tides have a smaller range and generally gentler movement. The range here is compared with what is normal for this stretch of coast, and the cycle swings between springs and neaps roughly every week, following the moon.

Big spring tides: the water rises faster and covers more ground than usual — double-check access routes and cut-off points before you fish.

Now

Tide curve will appear once tide data is available.

All windows will appear once the forecast is loaded.

Premium forecast

Unlock exact best windows, tactics and backup options for this mark.

Trip planner

Find the best time to fish Arlingham

Choose when you're free and what you want to catch. We'll show the best tide, weather window and method for this mark.

Premium unlocks exact windows, tactics and alerts.

Premium Mark Insight

Locked

Arlingham is a powerful upper Severn estuary mark where timing and staying on the firm floodbank matter more than distance. The main window is the last two hours of the flood through the first hour of the ebb, especially on medium to large tides when the main channel comes within casting range. Flounder are the core target, with school bass on the flood, thin-lipped mullet in clearer summer conditions, and eels after dark in warmer months.

  • Know when the channel edge comes into range.
  • Fish short at high water instead of overcasting.
  • Time the bore so you are fishing the settled water after it.
  • Pick flounder, bass or mullet tactics to match the tide size.
  • Avoid the mud and the worst ebb debris.

Included with Premium

Cancel anytime · Stripe

Unlock this mark's plan

Jump to towns around this mark for more marks and guides.

Newnham (Forest of Dean) 1.3 mi Pope's Hill 2.3 mi Rodley 2.5 mi Saul 2.6 mi Littledean 2.9 mi

Explore nearby towns: Newnham (Forest of Dean) · Pope's Hill · Rodley · Saul · Littledean

Zoom and pan to explore access points and nearby marks.

Jump to guide

Forecast tuning currently supports Bass and Mackerel — more species are on the way.

Overall rating

5.4 /10

Blend of catch potential, access, safety, and overall experience.

Category scores

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

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.

Local knowledge

Arlingham fishing guide

Practical access, seasons, methods, tides, safety and facilities for this mark.

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.

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.

  • Main access: Arlingham Passage at the end of Passage Road (village side). Limited roadside parking near the floodbank; be considerate and do not block gates or turning areas. A useful sat-nav postcode for the end of Passage Road is GL2 7JR.
  • Alternative stretches: Public footpaths along the Severn Way give access to long sections of floodbank (e.g., New Grounds). Expect a walk of 5–20 minutes depending on where you choose to fish.
  • Terrain: Grassed floodbank and rock armour/stone revetment. The foreshore is deep, dangerous mud/silt—do not attempt to go onto the mud at any state of tide.
  • Footwear: Sturdy boots with good grip for wet grass and boulders. The walk is easy to moderate but uneven; not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.

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.

  • Spring (Mar–May):
    • Flounder (most reliable)
    • School bass building from late spring
    • Eels (must be released by law)
    • Note: Protected shad and sea trout move through; any accidental captures must be returned
  • Summer (Jun–Aug):
    • Bass (schoolies with the odd better fish)
    • Flounder
    • Eels (release)
    • Occasional thick-lipped mullet in calm spells around outfalls/eddies
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov):
    • Bass peak Sep–Oct
    • Flounder shoals
    • First codling possible after prolonged onshore blows and cooler snaps
  • Winter (Dec–Feb):
    • Flounder on milder days
    • Sporadic codling in some winters after storms/colour
    • Odd whiting straggler is possible but uncommon this far upriver

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

  • Rigs:
    • 2–3 hook flapper/paternoster with short snoods (20–30 cm) for flounder and eels
    • One-up/one-down or up-and-over with a 60–100 cm snood for bass/codling
    • Use strong components and a weak-link/rotten-bottom for the lead due to snags and debris
  • Leads:
    • Wired grip leads are essential on the flood; carry 5–8 oz depending on tide size
    • Drop to 4–5 oz or plain leads around slack water
  • Baits:
    • Lugworm and ragworm are top; cocktails with crab work well in late spring/summer
    • Peeler crab in season; mussel/squid strip combos help for codling in winter
    • Small worm baits and added bling (beads/spoons) for flounder
  • Tackle:
    • 12–13 ft beach rod or sturdy estuary rod; 6500-size reel with 15–20 lb mono and 60 lb shockleader
    • Keep rods high on a tripod to clear the flood; long handled disgorger/forceps for eels
  • Approach:
    • Short to medium casts; many fish patrol tight to the rocks at the top of the tide
    • On bigger tides, fish the last 2 hours of the flood and first hour of the ebb when fish push in
    • Lures only in brief slack windows; otherwise the colour and flow beat artificials

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

  • Tide size:
    • Medium to large springs fish best for bass and flounder; neaps can be slow but easier to hold bottom
  • Tide state:
    • Productive: last 2 hours of the flood into the first hour of the ebb
    • Slack water windows suit light leads and longer snoods; expect a fresh push of debris on the ebb
  • Severn Bore:
    • Check published bore times; avoid being on low platforms/close to the edge when the bore arrives
    • Fishing often dips as the bore passes, then can improve once the water settles
  • Conditions:
    • After prolonged SW blows and coloured water, codling chances improve in late autumn/winter
    • Warm, overcast summer evenings are reliable for school bass and flounder
  • Time of day/season:
    • Dusk into dark is a strong bet May–Oct
    • Winter daylight over the top of a big tide for flounder/codling

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

  • Never go onto the mud/silt foreshore; remain on the floodbank or stable rock armour
  • The Severn Bore can arrive as a powerful wall of water—know the time, stand well back, and secure gear
  • Wear a personal flotation device, especially when fishing near boulders or after dark
  • Use a headtorch, spare light, and keep lines clear of boulders to prevent being pulled off balance
  • Do not wear chest waders on steep, slippery rock; studded boots recommended
  • Keep well back from the edge at high water; the bank can undercut
  • Strong undertow and floating debris on the ebb—keep rod tips high and be ready to break off
  • Mobile signal can be patchy; tell someone your plan and carry a charged phone/whistle
  • Access is across farmland/footpaths—close gates, respect livestock, and stick to waymarked paths

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

  • No public toilets or freshwater on the riverbank; facilities are in the village when pubs/cafés are open
  • Parking is limited roadside at Passage Road and small pull-ins along public rights of way—arrive early
  • Nearest tackle/bait: options in Gloucester and Lydney (check opening hours and pre-order live bait)
  • Food/drink: village pubs/cafés subject to seasonal hours; carry your own supplies for evening tides
  • Phone signal: variable across networks; better on higher ground than down by the rocks

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

  • Add a small spoon or bright beads to flounder snoods for extra attraction in the muddy water
  • Many fish are caught within 10–30 yards at high water—don’t blast every cast
  • Fresh lug/king rag outfishes frozen most days; tip with a sliver of squid to toughen in the flow
  • Use a weak-link to the lead and check traces frequently—silt abrades mono fast
  • Keep a bore timetable in your tackle bag; fishing 60–120 minutes after the bore can be productive once the turbulence settles
  • Debris drift is worst on the first of the ebb; stagger rod tips and keep line angles steep to ride over it
  • Rinse reels after sessions—the Severn’s fine silt gets everywhere and will grind your gears
  • In summer, peeler crab can be devastating for bass on a simple running ledger in the margins

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

  • Bass (recreational): as of 2024, a daily bag limit of 2 fish per angler at a 42 cm minimum applies from 1 March to 30 November; catch-and-release only outside those dates. Verify current rules with the MMO before fishing.
  • European eel: mandatory catch-and-release for recreational anglers in England—do not retain eels of any size.
  • Protected species: allis/twaite shad, lamprey, salmon, and sea trout are strictly protected—return immediately if accidentally caught. Do not target them.
  • Rod licence: no licence is required to fish for sea species in tidal waters, but an Environment Agency rod licence is required if you target migratory salmonids or freshwater species.
  • Local designations: sections of the Severn Estuary are SSSI/SPA/Ramsar—stay on public rights of way, avoid saltmarsh/mudflats, and minimize disturbance to birds, especially in winter.
  • Access/land: much of the bank behind the revetment is private farmland—use the Severn Way/public footpaths, heed signage, and do not block gateways when parking.
  • Bait digging/foraging: follow local byelaws and avoid protected saltmarsh; take only what you need and backfill holes.
  • Litter and fish care: take all litter and line home; use barbless or micro-barb hooks when releasing flounder and bass.