The Solent
- Saltwater
- Strait
The Solent
- Saltwater
- Strait
- Sq. miles
- 85
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 41
The Solent is a renowned tidal strait separating the Hampshire coast of mainland England from the Isle of Wight. This dynamic saltwater environment, characterized by its strong tidal currents, extensive mudflats, harbors, and estuaries, offers a diverse and productive fishery. The area is a hub for both shore-based and boat angling, attracting species that thrive in its nutrient-rich waters and complex underwater structures.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at The Solent and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Atlantic Mackerel
Scomber scombrus
Ballan Wrasse
Labrus bergylta
Black Seabream
Spondyliosoma cantharus
Blonde Ray
Raja brachyura
Brill
Scophthalmus rhombus
Bull Huss
Scyliorhinus stellaris
Coalfish
Pollachius virens
Common Sole
Solea solea
Common Stingray
Dasyatis pastinaca
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Corkwing Wrasse
Symphodus melops
Cuckoo Ray
Leucoraja naevus
Cuckoo Wrasse
Labrus mixtus
Dab
Limanda limanda
European Eel
Anguilla anguilla
European Flounder
Platichthys flesus
European Pilchard
Sardina pilchardus
European Plaice
Pleuronectes platessa
European Seabass
Dicentrarchus labrax
European Smelt
Osmerus eperlanus
Garfish
Belone belone
Gilthead Seabream
Sparus aurata
Goldsinny Wrasse
Ctenolabrus rupestris
Grey Triggerfish
Balistes capriscus
John Dory
Zeus faber
Lesser Spotted Dogfish
Scyliorhinus canicula
Lesser Weever
Echiichthys vipera
Lumpsucker
Cyclopterus lumpus
Pollack
Pollachius pollachius
Poor Cod
Trisopterus minutus
Pouting
Trisopterus luscus
Red Mullet
Mullus surmuletus
Small-eyed Ray
Raja microocellata
Spotted Ray
Raja montagui
Starry Smooth-hound
Mustelus asterias
Thicklip Grey Mullet
Chelon labrosus
Thornback Ray
Raja clavata
Tub Gurnard
Chelidonichthys lucerna
Twaite Shad
Alosa fallax
Undulate Ray
Raja undulata
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on The Solent. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on The Solent
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
England licenses and regulations
England Boating Regulations
Canal & River Trust is the navigation authority for most inland canals and rivers in England and Wales, covering boat licences, registration, and rules of navigation. For coastal/sea boating the national Maritime & Coastguard Agency guidance applies instead.
England Fishing License
An Environment Agency rod fishing licence is required to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England. Buy a short-term or annual licence online via GOV.UK; junior licences are free but must be registered.
England Fishing Regulations
The official Environment Agency freshwater rod-fishing byelaws for England: close seasons, size and catch limits, permitted baits and methods, and rod limits. These apply in addition to holding a rod licence.
England Stream Access Laws
Closest official page on public access to land and water in England. Note there is no general public right to fish - fishing rights are privately owned, so you need the owner's or club's permission or a permit even where access on foot exists.
Take The Solent with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around The Solent to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for The Solent to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Get the onWater Fish app
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Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)
On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish The Solent and check the marine forecast before you launch.
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Fishing near The Solent
River Thames
New River
THAMES MIDDLE
River Lea
River Brent
THAMES LOWER
River Roding
River Mole
MEDWAY
Pymme's Brook
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