Overview
Spring is the water waking up. As it warms, the fish move off the deep winter holes, start to feed in daylight and put on condition before spawning. It's a generous time to fish — but it's also when the river coarse close season bites, so spring is a stillwater and canal story for most of us.
Target species
Carp and tench come on strongly as the water passes into the low teens, often found in the warmer, shallower bays first. Bream shoal up and feed hard. On canals and stillwaters the silver fish — roach, rudd, skimmers — are busy and willing, which makes spring a fine time to put a beginner on bites.
Where to fish
Remember the dates: the coarse fishing close season runs 15 March to 15 June on rivers, streams and some other waters in England and Wales, so rivers are off the menu for coarse fish through much of spring. The majority of stillwaters and canals stay open — check the specific water's rules — so that's where to go.
On the water itself, follow the sun. Fish the shallow margins and bays that warm first, especially on a mild afternoon, and look for fish moving in the top layers on the first proper warm days.
Tackle and rigs
Keep it light and watchful. A float set shallow over the warming margins, or a light method feeder for carp and tench, covers most spring fishing. The fish are feeding but not yet reckless, so scale down your hook and line a notch from your summer kit.
Bait and lures
After winter the fish want feeding but not burying, so feed little and often rather than piling it in. Maggot, worm and caster come into their own as the water warms. For carp and tench, corn, pellet and a small method mix do the work. If you're lure fishing for an early perch, go small and slow — the water's warm enough to feed but not to chase.