River steady at a fishable height. Settled and taking. Work it methodically.
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Major North Wales salmon river rising in Snowdonia, regulated by Lake Bala. Spring salmon (February–May) and grilse from July onwards. Fish sinking-tip with medium tubes in spring, smaller doubles in summer. Excellent grayling in the middle and lower reaches (winter fishing October–March). Wild brown trout in the upper reaches. The Llangollen stretch is iconic — limestone freestone with good hatches. Lake regulation provides more stable flows than natural spate rivers.
Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — NRW At Risk classification. North Wales Dee sea trout are present but the river is primarily salmon and brown-trout focused. Stocks have declined alongside the wider Welsh sea trout crisis.
Salmon: Negligible (2026) — NRW / EA 2024 Salmon Stocks Assessment classifies this Welsh principal salmon river 'at risk' — egg deposition below Conservation Limit. All Wales byelaws (in force 2020-2030) make catch & release mandatory. Conservation priority; not a salmon fishing destination. The Welsh Dee (cross-border with England) has seen sustained salmon decline.
Major North Wales salmon river rising in Snowdonia, regulated by Lake Bala.
River steady at a fishable height. Settled and taking. Work it methodically.
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Major North Wales salmon river rising in Snowdonia, regulated by Lake Bala. Spring salmon (February–May) and grilse from July onwards. Fish sinking-tip with medium tubes in spring, smaller doubles in summer. Excellent grayling in the middle and lower reaches (winter fishing October–March). Wild brown trout in the upper reaches. The Llangollen stretch is iconic — limestone freestone with good hatches. Lake regulation provides more stable flows than natural spate rivers.
Sea trout: Variable seasonal (2026) — NRW At Risk classification. North Wales Dee sea trout are present but the river is primarily salmon and brown-trout focused. Stocks have declined alongside the wider Welsh sea trout crisis.
Salmon: Negligible (2026) — NRW / EA 2024 Salmon Stocks Assessment classifies this Welsh principal salmon river 'at risk' — egg deposition below Conservation Limit. All Wales byelaws (in force 2020-2030) make catch & release mandatory. Conservation priority; not a salmon fishing destination. The Welsh Dee (cross-border with England) has seen sustained salmon decline.