Overview
The Trent Valley is one of England’s great angling landscapes, stretching through picturesque countryside, historic market towns and some of the country’s most celebrated coarse fishing waters. Centred around the mighty River Trent, the valley offers anglers an incredible variety of opportunities across running water, gravel pits and stillwaters.
Known by many as the “Mighty Trent”, the river has built a legendary reputation among specimen hunters and pleasure anglers alike. From hard-fighting barbel and powerful chub to pike, perch, bream and huge shoals of silver fish, there is something here for every style of angler.
Away from the bank, the Trent Valley offers plenty to enjoy, with riverside pubs, nature reserves and historic towns all within easy reach. Popular areas including Nottingham, Newark-on-Trent, Burton upon Trent and Gainsborough sit close to fantastic fishing opportunities and make excellent bases for an angling getaway.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated river session, a family fishing break or a long weekend chasing specimen fish, the Trent Valley combines great angling with plenty to explore.
Accommodation
Fairfarm Hideaway - Leicestershire, Trent Valley
From £110 / night
10% off !!
Glebe Farm Cottages - Nottinghamshire, Trent Valley
From £142 / night
Hawton Waters - Trent Valley, Nottinghamshire
From £129 night
GIFT VOUCHERS
Angling
What's on offer
For anglers who love river fishing, the Trent is one of the UK’s premier coarse fisheries and is widely regarded as one of the finest barbel rivers in the country.
Its size and variety create endless possibilities. One day you could be fishing intimate gravel runs and classic gravel creases of the middle river, while the next sees you tackling the broad lower reaches capable of producing specimen fish and huge catches of silver fish.
The River Trent supports an incredible range of species and angling styles. Barbel remain one of its biggest attractions and have helped establish the river as one of the country’s premier specimen destinations, but anglers also regularly target chub, bream, pike, perch, roach, dace and carp in the slower stretches and backwaters.
Further downstream, the character of the river changes dramatically. Below the tidal limit at Cromwell Lock, the Trent becomes tidal, creating a very different style of fishing with changing water levels, stronger flows and unique challenges. The lower river has developed a reputation for producing exceptional catches of bream, huge shoals of silver fish and specimen predators, while match anglers have long regarded sections of the tidal Trent as some of the most prolific waters in the country.
For stillwater enthusiasts, the valley is also home to numerous lakes, reservoirs, gravel pits and commercial fisheries, offering everything from mixed coarse fishing to specialist carp waters.
Angling
Where and how to get fishing
The Trent Valley offers a huge range of day-ticket and club-controlled waters. Unlike some river systems, opportunities are spread across a variety of clubs and angling associations, meaning there are options suitable for everyone from occasional visitors to dedicated river anglers.
Many stretches can be accessed through day tickets purchased online or via local tackle shops, while larger angling clubs control extensive sections of river and associated stillwaters.
Some of the larger clubs and associations operating in the region include:
Nottingham Piscatorial Society
Burton Mutual Angling Association
Newark and District Piscatorial Federation
Retford and Worksop Boat Club and Angling Association
Sheffield and District Angling Association
Birmingham Anglers Association
Barnsley and District Amalgamated Angling Society
Availability, access and local rules vary between waters, so it is always worth checking details before travelling — particularly during popular barbel and winter predator seasons.
Stillwater venues are also found throughout the valley, many with easy access, onsite facilities and straightforward day-ticket options.
Angling
Tackle and Guiding
The Trent has one of the richest angling traditions in the country and local knowledge can make a huge difference to your trip. Whether you need bait, tackle, river information or advice on productive stretches, the valley has a strong network of experienced tackle shops and respected river specialists.
Few names are more closely associated with Trent fishing than Bob Roberts. His Trent guide and years of experience have helped countless anglers understand the river and become essential reading for many planning a visit.
Some of the well-known tackle shops serving the wider Trent region include:
Gerry’s of Nottingham
Eastwood Angling Centre
Go Fishing Tackle
Matchman Supplies
Bridge Tackle Shop
Angling Direct Newark
Bennington Bait
Retford Angling Supplies
Top 10 things to see and do
Other than fishing!
Here’s a list of some of our favourites:
- Explore the historic market town of Newark-on-Trent and discover its riverside cafés, traditional pubs and impressive castle overlooking the river.
- Visit Trent Bridge and soak up the atmosphere around one of England’s most iconic sporting landmarks.
- Walk a stretch of the Trent Valley Way and enjoy views across meadows, riverbanks and classic Trent scenery.
- Explore some of the Trent’s historic locks and riverside villages, where the valley’s long boating and industrial history still shapes the landscape today.
- Spend an evening in one of Newark or Nottingham’s traditional riverside pubs and enjoy views over the water after a day on the bank.
- Visit National Civil War Centre and discover one of the country’s most fascinating collections of Civil War history.
- Explore the brewing heritage of Burton upon Trent, a town whose history helped shape British beer production.
- Discover the historic riverside landscapes that made the Trent one of England’s most important waterways and trade routes.
- Stop by one of the valley’s long-established tackle shops and soak up local fishing knowledge, catch reports and classic Trent stories.
- Take a walk around Attenborough Nature Reserve, where lakes, wetlands and abundant birdlife create one of the Midlands’ best wildlife locations.
