River Thames - Desborough Island public bank
Desborough Island sits in the River Thames at Weybridge, Surrey, cut off from the main river by the Desborough Channel, a navigation cut that carries most boat traffic while the original meandering course of the Thames loops around the island's other side. Elmbridge Borough Council manages the island as public open space, reached on foot over its bridges from Walton Lane (KT13 8EH). The council states the island is open to pedestrians 24 hours a day; that is access to the open space only and is not confirmation that night fishing is permitted. Visit Thames lists the Staines-to-Teddington stretch as free fishing wherever there is legitimate public access, so there is no day-ticket charge on genuinely public banks, but a valid Environment Agency rod licence is always required and the coarse close season (15 March to 15 June inclusive) applies. Not every bank around the island is public fishing: an older angling guide describes private fishing on part of the eastern Desborough Channel bank, which has not yet been verified here. Check signage before setting up and respect moorings, private frontages and other path users. Species have not yet been confirmed for this listing.
Rules
Fish only from banks with legitimate public access; part of the eastern Desborough Channel bank may be private (unverified). 24-hour pedestrian access is not night-fishing permission. verify exact public fishable edge • An Environment Agency rod licence may be required in addition to the fishery/club permission. • Normal coarse river close season: 15 March–15 June inclusive, unless a different legal/species rule applies. • Free only where the river bank is genuinely public access; do not cross private land. • Carp and coarse fish: catch-and-release unless the fishery rules state otherwise.