Lydney Harbour Fishing

Last updated: 1 week ago

Lydney Harbour Fishing Map

Historic small harbour on the Severn Estuary where the Lydney Canal meets the river. Expect extreme tidal range, fast currents and extensive mudflats; the fishable window is typically a couple of hours either side of high water from the stable upper walls only. Summer and early autumn bring the best action with mullet and bass; flounder and silver eels feature, with occasional winter whiting. Access and parking are good via the heritage site, but underfoot can be uneven and slippery; never venture onto mud or lower steps and wear a lifejacket in rough conditions.

Ratings

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

Fish You Can Catch at Lydney Harbour

🐟 Flounder 8/10
🎯 Tip: Rag/lug baits on 2–3 hook flappers, cast short into muddy channels. Best 2 hrs either side of HW in winter–spring. Use 5–6oz grip leads to hold in Severn tide.
🐟 Bass 7/10
🎯 Tip: Peeler crab or lug on pulley/ledger. Fish the flood around the harbour mouth and eddies; after dusk summer–autumn. Short casts along channel edge; coloured water favours bait over lures.
🐟 European Eel 7/10
🎯 Tip: Warm evenings on rag or small fish strips. Cast into slacker water inside the basin or along wall margins, July–Sept. Use circles/barbless for safe release.
🐟 Mullet (Thin-lipped) 7/10
🎯 Tip: Baited spinner or small Mepps tipped with rag. Work the basin/slack water on neaps in clear spells. Summer shoals; stealth and light gear.
🐟 Mullet (Thick-lipped) 6/10
🎯 Tip: Bread flake or tiny rag under a float tight to the inner wall on slack or neap tides. Best on warm, calm evenings late spring–autumn.
🐟 Common Goby 5/10
🎯 Tip: Tiny hooks (size 12–16) with rag scraps along the wall at low water. Keep baits static in pockets out of the main flow. Fun species for kids.
🐟 Whiting 4/10
🎯 Tip: Occasional in cold snaps. Small worm/squid strips after dark on the flood in midwinter; aim for the deeper channel from the outer wall.
🐟 Cod 3/10
🎯 Tip: Odd winter codling on big lug/crab cocktails. Heavy gear with 6oz grips; fish the dusk flood and first of the ebb from the outer wall into the main channel.
🐟 European Smelt 3/10
🎯 Tip: Late winter runs. Use small sabikis or size 10 hooks with tiny rag slivers under lights at dusk near the harbour mouth on making tides.

Lydney Harbour Fishing

Summary

Lydney Harbour sits on the upper Severn Estuary in Gloucestershire, a restored historic dock and tidal basin with easy, mostly flat access. It’s a classic estuary mark for winter flounder and summer bass and mullet, but the huge tides and soft mud demand respect and good planning.

Location and Access

Reaching the harbour is straightforward, with brown tourist signs for Lydney Harbour from the A48 through Lydney town. Access is via Harbour Road to the dedicated car park; from there it’s a short, level stroll to the basin and outer walls on hard paths and old cobbles.

Seasons

This is a genuine estuary venue with a seasonal mix, led by flounder, school bass and mullet. Expect bycatch of eels in summer and the odd surprise after big weather.

Methods

Tides rule everything here: fish the last of the flood and first of the ebb with tackle that will hold in heavy flow. Present small natural baits for flounder and more substantial offerings or refined mullet tactics in summer.

Tides and Conditions

The Severn’s massive tidal range and bore shape everything at Lydney Harbour. Plan around neaps to medium springs, watch debris after rain, and treat bore days with caution.

Safety

This is a working heritage site with deep water, fast tides and lethal mud. Keep to hard standings, wear appropriate gear, and give the bore and edges real respect.

Facilities

Expect basic facilities: a car park, benches and heritage interpretation, but limited services on site. Bring what you need and plan for changing weather and light.

Tips

Treat this as a puzzle of channels and timing rather than a chuck‑and‑chance venue. Small adjustments to bait, lead and angle make big differences in flow this strong.

Regulations

The harbour sits within the Severn Estuary’s protected designations, and parts of the structure are off‑limits. Anglers must follow site signage, national sea fisheries rules and protected species laws.