Absolutely. People fish from the banks of the Thames every single day. You’ll see them near Tower Bridge, by the London Eye, or in the quieter upstream stretches. They’re not just casting for laughs—they’re catching.
There are even “catch and release” clubs dedicated to Thames fishing. You can hook a massive bream or a pike while a double-decker bus rumbles by overhead. It’s the most surreal fishing experience you’ll ever have. “Caught a 10-pounder, mate. Right next to the Shard.”
But you need a license. The Environment Agency will come after you with a cheerful but firm clipboard. And please, don’t eat everything you catch. Some fish still have a bit of a chemical aftertaste—let’s call it “local flavor.”
What About The Famous “Fatbergs”?
Ah, you’ve heard about those. The Thames does have fatbergs—disgusting, city-block-long blobs of grease and wet wipes. They’re the river’s dirty little secret. Fish don’t seem to care much, though.
Night Fishing River Thames
Trout will swim right past a fatberg like it’s a weird, lumpy sculpture. Fish are surprisingly unbothered by human nonsense. They just need oxygen and food, and the Thames now delivers both in spades. The fatbergs are more of a plumbing problem than a fish problem.
Pro tip: Don’t google “fatberg while eating lunch.” You’ve been warned.
