Fishing at Seaham Harbour

HarbourCounty Durham🐾 Dog-friendly all year★★☆ family

A County Durham harbour mark with an unusually wide species list for the North East — codling and whiting are the bread-and-butter catch, with the odd ray and dogfish showing too.

📍 View on the map

What you can catch → Full fish guide

Species	Season	Method
Codling (Juvenile Cod)	Oct–Feb	Lugworm or ragworm, tipped with razorfish or clam in a good swell
Whiting	Oct–Feb	Pennell-pulley or fixed paternoster rig with worm bait
Coalfish (Saithe)	All year	Fish strip fished close to the harbour structure
Mackerel	Jun–Sep	Feathers over high water

Tactics

Fish the paved area at Seaham Spiles, a rocky mark that's easy underfoot and best from high tide down — bring a retrieval line for tackle, as it's an easy spot to lose it. Autumn and winter after a storm is prime time, with codling, whiting and the occasional bass showing well. Ragworm, lugworm, squid and peeler crab all work; try razorfish or clam tipped onto bait during a big swell. The North Pier fishes well too but access is restricted to fishing club members.

Best tide: High tide down · Best time: Autumn and winter, especially after a storm

Dogs

Durham County Council proposed a seasonal dog-exclusion order for Seaham's beach (10am–6pm daily, May–September) in 2023, but shelved it after a 1,240-name petition and low public support. Treated as no confirmed seasonal restriction currently in force, though this could change if the council revisits it — check local signage. (the page confirms no seasonal ban is currently in force generally, but never names "the Harbour" specifically, only the general beach/Slope Beach)

Unofficial source: View the supporting source →Not an authority; check current signage.

Access & parking

Parking near the Marina. Sat-nav: SR7 7AF.Get directions → Family rating: ★★☆ — The paved Spiles area is easy to stand on, but it's still working harbour ground — keep an eye on younger kids near the edge.

FAQs

Is Seaham Harbour dog friendly?

Yes currently — a proposed seasonal ban was dropped in 2023 after public opposition, though it's worth checking current signage in case that changes.

What's the best mark at Seaham?

Seaham Spiles — a paved, easy-to-fish rocky area, best from high tide down.

Can you fish Seaham's North Pier?

Yes, but access is through a gate restricted to fishing club members.

Nearby marks

Hartlepool Headland · Roker Pier

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.