Fishing at Lee-on-the-Solent Seafront
A gently shelving Solent shore where the shallow western end favours plaice, bass and flounder while deeper water further along produces the winter whiting and codling runs after dark.
📍 View on the mapWhat you can catch → Full fish guide
| Species | Season | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Plaice | Mar-Sep | Sandeel or worm over the shallower western ground, first fish show mid-March |
| Thornback Ray | Apr-Sep | Fish bait fished at night |
| Smooth-Hound | May-Sep | Peeler crab fished hard on the bottom |
| Pouting (Bib)WhitingCodling (Juvenile Cod) | Oct-Mar | Standard rigs, best after dark |
| Mackerel | Aug-Sep | Feathers as shoals move close inshore |
Tactics
Fish the shallower western end for plaice, bass, flounder, sole and mullet through the warmer months, with thornback rays showing at night from April and smoothhounds taking over from May onward on peeler crab. The last three hours of the flood and first two of the ebb - when there's a left-to-right tidal pull - are favoured, especially for the bigger species. Ragworm and lugworm cover the smaller stuff; peeler crab is the one for hounds.
Best tide: Last 3hrs of flood into first 2hrs of ebb · Best time: Night sessions, spring through autumn
Dogs
No verified source. Check current signage and the relevant authority.
Access & parking
Seafront road parking and pay-and-display close to the beach along Marine Parade. Family rating: ★☆☆ — Flat, easy shoreline with seafront amenities close by; the shallow western end is gentle enough for a family session outside of night fishing hours.
FAQs
Is Lee-on-the-Solent dog friendly?
Yes outside a marked zone near the splash park, which has a seasonal ban (1 May-30 Sep); the rest of the beach and the whole beach October-April is open to dogs.
When do plaice start showing at Lee-on-the-Solent?
The first plaice usually move inshore from around mid-March.
Nearby marks
Southsea Seafront · Hayling Island Seafront (South Beach/Eastoke) · Lymington Town Quay & Pennington Wall
Last updated 16 July 2026 — sources & disclaimer
Compiled from angling guides, forums and the relevant council's dog byelaws, cross-checked where possible.
Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.