March Fishing Tips UK – 10 Ways to Catch More Fish
March fishing in the UK is about adjustment.
The coarse river season closes on March 15th. River trout season opens. Carp start waking up. Perch are still feeding. The sea begins to tick over again. And if this year’s anything to go by, the rain hasn’t exactly taken a break.
One morning you’re scraping frost off the windscreen. The next you’re stood in a hoodie thinking winter might be done. Then it absolutely lashes it down again.
Rivers are pushing through. Brown. Fast. Proper heavy.
That means tactics change. Whether you like it or not.
1. Squeeze in Your Final Coarse River Sessions
You’ve got until March 15th.
If levels allow it, it’s your last proper crack at river chub, barbel and roach before close season.
High water can actually help. A bit of colour gives fish confidence. But don’t fish it like it’s July.
Target:
- Deeper bends
- Slower glides
- Creases in flow
- Areas with natural cover
Bread flake, cheese paste still work. Worm is always a winner.
2. Change Tactics in Flood Conditions
February’s been wet across most of the UK. That’s rolled straight into March.
When rivers are full and pushing hard, stop casting into the main flow hoping for the best.
Fish drop into shelter.
Look for:
- Eddies behind trees
- Inside bends
- Slack water behind reeds
- Creases where fast meets slow
If your feeder is rolling, it’s wrong. Go heavier so you can hold bottom.
In coloured water, scent matters more than sight:
- Cheese paste
- Halibut pellets
- Worm
- Bright hookbaits
Compact feed. Slow everything down. Let the swim rest between casts.
Floodwater fishing isn’t glamorous. But it produces.
3. Switch to River Trout After the 15th
Once coarse closes, river trout opens.
Early season trout aren’t smashing big dries. It’s small nymphs. Controlled drifts. Fishing slightly deeper than you think you need to.
Focus on:
- Tailouts
- Slower seams
- Pocket water
The Infinite Fly 2-in-1 works well here because you’re not locked into one method.
Fish it properly on fly. Or switch if light lure tactics suit the conditions better. Early March trout don’t always play nice. Some days they’re moody.
That’s fishing.
4. Pike Sessions Start to Fade
Winter deadbaiting starts slowing down for many anglers in March.
You’ll still catch pike. No doubt. But the long static winter mindset begins to drift. Water temperature starts creeping up and attention shifts.
5. Early Carp Are on the Move
Carp don’t suddenly switch on. They edge into it.
As water nudges past 8–10°C, they begin moving more consistently. Not charging around. Just… active.
Look for:
- Shallow areas getting afternoon sun
- Dark silt
- Sheltered bays
- You don’t need to pile bait in.
- Singles work:
- Bright pop-ups
- Sweetcorn
- Small PVA bags
The S-Mid Combo fits this time of year nicely.
Enough power for feeder or small lead work. Still compact enough that you’re not lugging half your shed round the lake.
March carp fishing is about watching water more than hammering bait.
6. Silver Fish Begin to Wake Properly
Roach and skimmers respond quickly once water lifts slightly.
Keep it neat:
- Small hooks
- Fine hooklengths
- Light feeding
Maggot still does damage. Worm as well.
It’s not summer chaos. But it’s steadier than February.
7. Early Spring Perch Can Be Proper Fish
Perch are still feeding confidently.
Creature baits on a light setup are deadly around structure. Work tight to:
- Pier legs
- Tree roots
- Lock gates
A rod like the FishRig 180 makes this kind of fishing properly enjoyable.
You can feel every tap. But there’s enough backbone if a decent stripey tries to bully you.
And if you hook one lump, don’t wander off too quickly. Big perch often sit together. Give the same spot another few casts. Sometimes three or four.
Slow retrieve. Keep it low. Stay alert.
8. Don’t Ignore the Sea
March sea fishing can be quietly productive.
From the shore:
- Codling
- Whiting
- Dogfish
- Early rays
Best baits:
- Lugworm
- Ragworm
- Squid
- Bluey
Keep rigs simple. Leads heavy enough to hold. You don’t need to overcomplicate it.
Short sessions often beat long ones this time of year.
9. Fish the Warmest Window
Cold mornings can still shut things down.
Late morning into mid-afternoon often fishes better. Even a small lift in water temperature can flick a switch.
After rain, a bit of sun can transform a river.
Watch the sky as much as the water.
10. Use March to Reset
March is a prep month.
Change mainline
Service reels
Sharpen hooks
Restock terminal tackle
River trout is open. Carp are building. Sea fishing improves week by week.
Get organised now and April feels easier.
Why March Fishing Matters
March isn’t glamorous. It’s wet, transitional, and slightly unpredictable. But if you adapt instead of stubbornly fishing winter tactics, you’ll stay ahead of most anglers.
About Rigged & Ready
Rigged & Ready design compact, travel-friendly fishing rods built for versatility. Whether you're switching from feeder work to light lure fishing or heading from river to coast, the range is designed to cover multiple styles without carrying multiple full-length rods.
Have a look at the interview I had with Andy from Rigged & Ready.
About the Author
Martin Grove is the founder of Vildmark, an outdoor adventure platform built around fishing, travel and human-powered exploration. He spends much of his time chasing fish across the UK and Europe, often with compact travel rods that fit around work, family life and expedition planning. In 2026, he takes part in the Fjällräven Polar expedition across the Arctic tundra.
