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4 species listed
Anglers here can target brown trout, grayling, sea trout and salmon.
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1 club or syndicate
Membership water on the River Ely, some with day tickets alongside.
About the River Ely
The River Ely, Afon Elái in Welsh, is a short and largely urban river of about 24 miles in south Wales. It rises on the hills just north of Tonyrefail, among them Mynydd Penygraig and Mynydd y Gilfach, and unlike many of its neighbours it has no reservoir in its headwaters. It flows generally south east past Tonyrefail, Talbot Green, Pontyclun, Peterston-super-Ely and St Fagans, picks up its one large tributary, the Clun, and crosses the western edge of Cardiff before it enters Cardiff Bay at Penarth Marina, just inside the barrage.
Pollution has been the Ely’s problem. Fish returned only slowly, from the many small tributaries, as it eased, and Afonydd Cymru describes the fish populations as currently precarious, with weirs and culverts in the upper reaches leaving them more vulnerable to pollution.
The Ely holds brown trout and grayling, with a few sea trout and salmon, alongside a good deal of coarse fish such as roach, chub, perch and pike. Recently some barbel have been reported in the lower river.
Check the details for the stretch you plan to fish.
Where the River Ely runs
The river's course with every beat and fishery we list on it. Click a marker to read about that water.
River Ely at a glance
- Length
- 24 miles
- Source
- Hills north of Tonyrefail
- Mouth
- Cardiff Bay, at Penarth Marina
- Country
- United Kingdom
Conditions now
Fish species
Anglers on the River Ely can target brown trout, grayling, sea trout and salmon. Brown trout dominate most beats here; grayling, sea trout, and salmon appear on certain rivers and seasons.
Fishing Beats on the River Ely
Browse all 1 beatBrowse day tickets, syndicate rods, and permit fishing on the River Ely. Each beat listing includes pricing, species, and booking details.
Clubs and syndicates on the River Ely
1 clubMembership bodies holding water on the River Ely. Some sell day tickets alongside membership, others are open to members only, and a few run a waiting list.
FAQ
River Ely FAQs
Common questions about fishing the River Ely, from day tickets and seasons to what to expect on the bank.
01Can I fish the River Ely?
02How much does it cost to fish the River Ely?
03When is the fishing season on the River Ely?
04What fish can I catch in the River Ely?
05Do I need a licence to fish the River Ely?
Worth a read
1 bookable beat
On the River Ely
