Fishing on the Driffield Navigation - the Old Fishing Guide
Fishing rights belong to the adjacent landowners. On many stretches this is the Driffield Navigation Trust as the Owners of the Navigation. Fishing on the Navigation owned stretches is at present "FREE", anyone wanting to fish on the Navigation (Fishing clubs included) should contact the Driffield Navigation Trust (DNT) via the DNT (see the Contacts Page for the DNT's Registered Office address) to get clarification on where fishing rights are owned by the DNT. If you are asked to pay for a license you should ask who is the money going to! The Driffield Navigation is for the use of "ALL" and any monies charged for the use of the Navigation's facilities go to the development of the Navigation and not personal gain; that is the money goes towards the restoration of the Navigation. You may however find that certain landowners have the fishing rights and may wish to charge, but you will find that the majority of the Navigation is still "FREE" fishing. If any fisherman have a problem please contact (E-mail) and I will refer it to the DNT.
The Navigation hosts a variety of course fish, Pike, Bream, Roach, Perch the occasional Trout and many others on its tidal and non-tidal sections. Free fishing is available at several locations on the Navigation, below Struncheon Hill lock and Frodingham Landing. Providing you fish from off the landing at Frodingham no charge is made, the landing belongs to the Driffield Navigation Trust. All that is asked of you if fishing from the landing is that boats have priority if wanting to moor at the landing and please leave the Trip Boat mooring free.
At other sites the landowner charges a daily rod license fee and in some places the landowners do not allow fishing even from the public footpath.
Fishing is also good on the Driffield Canal (part of the Navigation) Allegedly the fishing rights still belong to the Driffield Navigation Trust who do not at present charge for fishing on the Canal. You may however find that someone will try to make you pay, so it is up to you what action you take if fishing on the Canal and asked to pay.
If fishing from a boat it is FREE, remember that a Visitor Registration is required for the boat, only a few pounds, see Craft Registration for details. Small boats can be launched from Frodingham Landing and Driffield Riverhead. Free parking is available at both locations.
So why not come and give it a try, you never know you may do like several other fishermen and keep a boat on the Navigation for the fishing and its tranquil surroundings.
Below Struncheon Hill lock in the Summer of 2000 a shoal of Bream (50 plus) ranging in size from 2 to 5lbs and possibly higher. The shoal was clearly visible close to the bank when approached by boat at a slow speed. Large Bream are also to be found in the Navigable section of West Beck, access to this water is only available by boat. Pike of all sizes are abundant, 20lb being considered a small one by the local fishermen.
Perch (Picture is the © Alun Barker) caught at Bethell's Bridge on the Driffield Navigation 06th October 2002. The waters are also abundant with Roach and Perch of all sizes.