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Somerset

Burnham Lighthouse Beach

6.5 · Beach · Somerset

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.

Should you fish Burnham Lighthouse Beach?

44 Low

Today · Best available

Best available: 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide

Most likely species: Bass and Smoothhound

Poor conditions. Best available around 06:00-09:00 around the rising tide, but no window reaches the strong threshold today. Good chance of Bass and Smoothhound.

NW 7 mph Rain 16% High tide 00:09

Consider a backup mark if conditions do not improve.

Plan this mark

7-day fishing forecast for Burnham Lighthouse Beach — 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.

Wednesday looks better than today. Unlock the week to see its 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.

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Burnham Lighthouse Beach is a shallow, sandy-muddy Bristol Channel surf mark where tide timing matters more than extreme distance. The most reliable plan is to fish the flood into high water and the first of the ebb, using firm sand near the upper beach and aiming baits into gutters, channel edges and the river-side channels. Coloured water, dusk into dark and fresh, well-bound baits improve the odds, while soft mud, fast flooding water and big spring pull make this a mark to treat cautiously.

  • Know when to fish the flood into high, not just when the beach looks exposed.
  • Pick gutters and river-side channels instead of wasting casts over blank sand.
  • Match peeler, worm, squid or fish bait to the right target species.
  • Use neaps for cleaner presentation and springs only when you can hold bottom safely.
  • Avoid the soft lower mud and fast-filling cut-off channels.

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Bleadon 4.5 mi Hutton (North Somerset) 6.2 mi Weston-super-Mare 6.8 mi Locking 7.1 mi Banwell 8.1 mi

Explore nearby towns: Bleadon · Hutton (North Somerset) · Weston-super-Mare · Locking · Banwell

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

Overall rating

6.5 /10

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

Category scores

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

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.

Local knowledge

Burnham Lighthouse Beach fishing guide

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

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.

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.

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.

  • Spring (Mar–May): Thornback ray, flounder, early bass, school smoothhounds late spring, dogfish
  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Smoothhound (peak Jun/Jul), bass, thornback ray, dogfish, sole on calm nights, silver eels (must be released)
  • Autumn (Sep–Nov): Bass (often best Sep/Oct), thornback ray, whiting, dogfish, occasional small-eyed ray
  • Winter (Dec–Feb): Whiting, codling occasional in cold snaps, thornback ray still possible, pout and dogfish
  • Year-round/occasional: Thick-lipped mullet around the river mouth/pier area, conger occasional after dark, dabs
  • Unwanted/handle with care: Lesser weever in warm months (spines), European eel (protected—release)

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.

  • Rigs: Pulley pennel (3/0–4/0) for rays/bass; up-and-over for distance with bigger baits; 2- or 3-hook clipped flappers (size 1–2) for whiting/sole
  • Leads: 5–7 oz breakout/wired leads are standard; step up on spring tides
  • Line: 0.35–0.40 mm mono mainline with 60–80 lb shock leader; consider tapered leaders for casting ease
  • Baits: Peeler crab (top for bass/smoothhound), blow/black lugworm, ragworm, squid or squid/lug cocktails, sandeel, bluey or mackerel strip for rays/dogs; small worm baits for sole/whiting
  • Times: 2–3 hours up to high and the first hour down are prime; dusk into dark boosts bites significantly
  • Casting: You rarely need extreme range—fish follow the flood; keep gear clipped down and snoods not overly long to reduce drag

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.

  • Best tide states: The push to high water and first of the ebb; neaps can be kinder to presentation, springs often liven up rays/bass
  • Sea state: A gentle to moderate onshore (SW–W) with colour is excellent for bass and rays; flat, warm evenings suit smoothhounds and sole
  • Water clarity: Permanently coloured—an advantage here; use smelly, fresh baits and elastic
  • Seasonality: Late spring to early autumn for variety and bigger fish; winter brings whiting with the chance of a bonus codling or ray
  • Wind: Strong onshore blows can produce but be cautious of surges and flying sand; offshore winds flatten and can slow sport

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.

  • Soft mud/sand: Do not follow the ebb too far; avoid grey, glossy mud flats; if in doubt, retreat upslope
  • Tidal cut-off: Rapid flood; keep your exit in view and don’t set up in dips or between groynes where channels can fill behind you
  • Structures: Timber groynes and algae-covered timbers are slippery; give them space, especially in surf
  • Clothing/PFD: Wader boots or wellies for wet sand; consider a lifejacket if fishing near the waterline or in poor visibility; headlamp for dusk/night
  • Weather: Watch for squalls and lightning; the open beach offers no shelter
  • Accessibility: Flat promenade access with steps/ramps onto sand; mobility users may find soft sand challenging—best fished from near the ramps at higher tides
  • Shared beach: Expect walkers, dogs, horses and photographers near the lighthouse—fish tidily and keep rods visible

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.

  • Parking: Pay-and-display along the Esplanade and nearby streets; signed parking areas for the lighthouse/north beach end
  • Toilets: Public conveniences on the seafront near the pier and along the Esplanade (check seasonal opening hours)
  • Food/shops: Cafés, takeaways and supermarkets in town; seafront kiosks in season
  • Tackle/bait: Options in Highbridge/Bridgwater and Weston-super-Mare; many local anglers bring bait (lug/peeler) in
  • Lifeguards: Central/bathing beach is seasonally lifeguarded; the lighthouse area is generally not—check flags/signage
  • Mobile signal: Typically good on the seafront; 4G/5G common
  • Waste: Bins along the promenade—take all line and bait packaging home

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.

  • Fresh lug and peeler out-fish frozen most days; add squid for durability in strong tide
  • For rays, fish an up-and-over or pulley pennel with a squid/sandeel or bluey/squid wrap, 40–60 cm hooklengths
  • Smoothhound love peeler crab—fish dusk into dark on a flooding neap for the best chance
  • Bass often show as the first proper surf line forms on the flood—keep a crab or lug bait handy
  • Use strong breakout leads and keep rod tips high to reduce drag and lift line over small shore breaks
  • Night sessions are noticeably better; red light helps preserve vision and avoids spooking mullet near the wall/river mouth
  • Don’t wade far here—let the fish come to you with the tide
  • Photographers flock to the Low Lighthouse at sunset—be courteous and keep tripods low and lines tidy

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.

  • Seasonal bathing zones: In summer, no fishing in designated lifeguarded/bathing areas when flags are flying; move along to non-bathing sections (the lighthouse area is usually outside the main zone)
  • Bass (recreational, ICES 7): As of the last published measures, a 42 cm minimum and a limited retention season (commonly 1 Mar–30 Nov up to 2 fish/day; catch-and-release Dec–Feb). Check current-year rules before your trip
  • European eel: Protected—do not retain; release immediately if caught
  • Mullet in the river/harbour area: Treat as catch-and-release where practical; avoid foul-hooking and keep noise/light low
  • Bait collecting: The intertidal is protected; small-scale hand-gathering is customary, but avoid damaging features, do not use vehicles on the sands, and follow any local notices
  • Litter and fires: No fires; remove all litter and line; respect wildlife roosts and wintering birds
  • Boats/BNAs: The nearby River Parrett/Brue estuary is a Bass Nursery Area with boat-fishing restrictions May–Oct; shore anglers should still follow national bass rules and avoid disturbing the channel margins
  • Always verify local byelaws with the relevant Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority and the council before fishing