Cranfleet Canal

Open to Members
Day Permit Water (on Bank)
Match Bookings Taken

Cranfleet Canal is a half mile navigable link to by-pass a weir on the River Trent, with lock gates at the bottom end where it rejoins the river.

The top end of the canal is open to the river except in flood conditions when gates are closed to keep canal levels low. Fishing may be excellent during such conditions.

From the bridge to the flood gates there is sufficient room for 15 anglers at any one time. It is around 1m deep against the near bank, sloping to 1½+ m deep in the boat channel (the middle half of the canal).

The whole length is reached along the 'made up' tow path, with fishing on the same level as the path. There are good (public) car parks at either at the access points at either end of the Cranfleet. As long as the journey to the pegs can be managed (e.g. by motorised wheelchair along the tow path etc) all pegs may be accessed by people with mobility difficulties.

All methods can produce fish at times, but recommended are pole, light waggler or light bomb, size 16 or smaller hooks, maggot, worm or bread punch over loose feed.

Main species are roach, bream, perch and bleak, but there are pike, carp, chub, tench and eels present.

There are a further 10 pegs between the flood gates and the Trent. These deepen towards the main river, where it is 2½m deep.

The pegs nearer to the river have produced excellent bags of large bream, as well as large carp, chub and barbel during the warmer months and pike during the winter.

 

 

 

 

 

Restrictions

• No fishing allowed between the bridge and the downstream lock gates which are used for permanent moorings.
• Fishing is restricted to the upper end of the canal, from the bridge crossing it up to the River Trent. There are no permanent pegs. Take care to avoid overhead power lines.
• This stretch is regularly used by boaters as temporary moorings, and anglers should be aware that this may reduce available space from time to time.
• As Cranfleet is linked to the River Trent, no fishing is permitted from 15 March to 15 June inclusively.

Directions

• From Long Eaton town centre, follow the Tamworth Road towards Sawley (and the Station). Pass under the railway bridge at the station, remain on the Tamworth Road for ½ mile, then turn left (signed 'Trent Lock').
• Follow road to car park at end (over rail crossing, past golf club on right, boat yard on left). Park by the Navigation Inn.
• On foot, pass to left of 'Navi' and follow path to bridge over Erewash Canal's 'Trent Lock'. Cross bridge, turn right, follow path to end of canal, bear left at River Trent, and after 30yds you reach the entrance to Cranfleet Canal.
• The towpath continues the whole length of the canal.
• There is also access from the other (downstream) end of Cranfleet, via Meadow Lane, Long Eaton (see access to River Trent).
• Progress along Meadow Lane into open countryside, continue between gravel pits, and take right turn to 'Cranfleet Lock'.
• Follow road to end (beware of road humps) to car park adjacent to Cranfleet Lock. Park carefully then walk along tow path to right, past boat moorings.
• Angling is permitted once you pass under the stone footbridge