The Monty is an excellent fishery for those who like a spot of canal fishing and enjoy the canal side life that comes with it. The canal itself is narrow with very little, if any, flow and offers plenty of features to fish. Some sections are navigable by boat however there are long stretches of non-navigable water which offer some beautiful scenery, wildlife, and seclusion.
The towpaths are well maintained and like the canal itself are not overly busy with traffic. There are several points where you can park to access the canal plus there are long stretches of totally rural canal ideal for those who like roving and wildlife.
Who manages it?
Most of the Monty is now managed by angling clubs so as well as needing a valid fishing licence you will also need the correct day ticket or permit for the section you are fishing.
| Angling Club | Stretch | Ticket/Permit |
| Dee Anglers | Frankton Junction bridge 69 to Graham Palmer Lock | Annual Permit |
| PR Fishing | Graham Palmer Lock to Bridge 76a (A5) | Day ticket or Annual Permit |
| Prince Albert Angling Society | Bridge 76a to Bridge 92 at Llanymynech Carreghofa Bridge 95 to Bridge 109 Bank Lock Bridge | Annual Permit |
| Montgomeryshire Angling Association | Bridge 115 Buttington to Bridge 119a Heulwen Wharf | Day/Week ticket or Annual Permit |
| Llwydiarth & Darlach Angling Association | Bridge 141 to Bridge 147 Brynderwen | Annual Permit |
| Angling Bait Company | Bridge 147 Brynderwen New Road to Bridge 148 Byles Lock | Annual Permit |
| Penarth Anglers | Penarth Weir Bridge 52 Aberbechan | Annual Permit |
All non-club owned sections can be fished using the Waterways Wanderers permit from the Canal & Rivers Trust.
NOTE: Some parts of the Monty are SSSI and therefore subject to the statutory close season from 15 March to 15 June inclusive.
What’s the fishing like?
Most of the species you would expect to find on a canal are present but of particular note are the tench, roach, rudd, pike, perch, bream and carp (although the carp can be hard to track down).
The canal is relatively shallow particularly in the non-navigable stretches which offer excellent fishing however be aware that bank side access can be problem in some areas after the rush of spring vegetation growth.
Pole is commonly used although shipping back can be challenging in some locations. Waggler tactics work well as does a small feeder or bomb. For predator fishing, ultra light lure fishing, drop shotting, soft lure or spinning will all deliver results from the resident perch and pike.
Mixed nets of over 30lb and specimens of tench over 6lb, roach over 3lb, rudd and perch over 2lb along with double figure pike, are regularly reported.
All the usual standard baits such as bread, corn, hemp, maggots and worm will all work.
Do you enjoy fishing the Montgomery Canal and watching the wildlife?
