Burnham Lighthouse Beach Fishing

Last updated: 5 days ago

Burnham Lighthouse Beach Fishing Map

Expansive sandy-muddy Bristol Channel surf beach by the iconic Low (stilt) Lighthouse at Burnham-on-Sea. Huge tidal range and a long, shallow gradient create shifting gullies and channels; best fished 2–3 hours either side of low and on the flood. Expect strong tidal pull on bigger springs (use 5–6 oz grip leads). Night sessions and coloured water favour catches. Access is easy from the Esplanade with a short walk, but avoid soft mud lower down the beach and be vigilant for fast-flooding tides and cut-off channels. Classic baits are fresh lugworm, rag, peeler crab, squid and sandeel; fish into gutters and the river-side channels, adjusting casting distance to locate fish-holding features.

Ratings

⭐ 6.5/10 Overall
Catch Potential 7/10
Species Variety 6/10
Scenery & Comfort 7/10
Safety 4/10
Accessibility 8/10

Fish You Can Catch at Burnham Lighthouse Beach

🐟 Bass 8/10
🎯 Tip: Flooding tide over shallow surf; fish close in. Lug or peeler crab on pulley/2-hook flappers, or metal/lure at dawn/dusk. Rougher water in summer–autumn fishes best.
🐟 Smoothhound 7/10
🎯 Tip: May–Sept on peeler crab. Cast to gutter edges on the push into dusk; grip leads hold in tide. Keep baits fresh; move to find fish.
🐟 Whiting 6/10
🎯 Tip: Autumn–winter nights on the flood. Small fish baits or worm at range on clipped rigs. Expect fast tide; fish neaps for easier holding.
🐟 Dover Sole 6/10
🎯 Tip: June–Sept after dark. Small rag/lug or crab strips tight in over muddy sand; light snoods, size 2–4 hooks. Neaps and gentle surf improve bites.
🐟 Thornback Ray 6/10
🎯 Tip: Spring–early summer. Bluey/sandeel/squid at mid range into channels; after dark best. Neap tides help presentation on this shallow beach.
🐟 Lesser Spotted Dogfish 6/10
🎯 Tip: Common after dark year-round. Mackerel or squid on simple flappers; hold bottom with grippers. Expect bites on the flood.
🐟 Starry Smoothhound 6/10
🎯 Tip: Late spring–summer. Peeler crab on pulley rigs; aim for gutters on the flood. Dusk into dark; keep leads pinned in strong tide.
🐟 Flounder 5/10
🎯 Tip: Late winter–spring in gutters. Worm baits cast uptide to settle; slow retrieves along channel edges on ebb/flood turns.
🐟 Small-eyed Ray 5/10
🎯 Tip: Summer evenings in calmer surf. Sandeel or squid wraps at 60–100 yd into gutters. Less reliable than further west; pick neap tides.
🐟 European Eel 4/10
🎯 Tip: Warm summer nights in channels on worm/fish strips, 20–40 yd out on the flood. Handle carefully and release.

Burnham Lighthouse Beach Fishing

Summary

Burnham Lighthouse Beach sits on the wide, tidal sands of Burnham-on-Sea, framed by the iconic wooden Low Lighthouse on stilts. It’s a classic Bristol Channel estuary mark with huge tides, coloured water and a real chance of thornback rays, smoothhounds and summer bass. Short, well-timed sessions around high water can be excellent for both quantity and the odd quality fish.

Location and Access

This mark lies on the north side of Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, around the Low Lighthouse (the red-and-white stilted structure). Access is straightforward from the seafront; the walking is flat, but the beach is sandy with patches of soft ground further out toward the low-water line.

Seasons

The area fishes like a productive inner Bristol Channel beach, with classic estuary species and a few surprises. Expect coloured water year-round and fish that feed confidently in it, especially at night or in onshore winds.

Methods

Bottom fishing dominates due to the depth, tide and turbidity. Keep rigs aerodynamic, leads grippy and baits robustly bound to cope with current and crab activity.

Tides and Conditions

This is extreme-tide country; the sea runs hard and retreats a long way. Plan around high water, and don’t chase the ebb across soft ground.

Safety

Treat Burnham with respect: the Bristol Channel’s huge tidal range and soft intertidal mud can be hazardous. Always heed local warning signs and stay on firm sand near the top of the beach.

Facilities

Burnham-on-Sea is a full-service seaside town, so amenities are close by. The lighthouse section is quieter than the central beach but still within walking distance of facilities.

Tips

Think short, sharp sessions around high water and fish big, fresh baits with confidence in the coloured water. Keep rigs simple and robust against tide and crabs.

Regulations

Fishing is generally permitted on Lighthouse Beach, but Burnham’s central bathing zone has seasonal restrictions—always comply with seafront signage and beach wardens. The wider foreshore sits within protected designations (Bridgwater Bay SSSI/SPA/NNR), so follow local guidance.