The River Rother, once one of the most polluted rivers in Europe, runs through Catcliffe and is one of the hidden gems of the village. There are walks which take you along it’s banks.
Following the tenure of Brinsworth & Catcliffe Angling Club coming to an end, the stretch of the River Rother previously managed by them has been taken on by Ashfield Angling Club. They manage several stretches of rivers and lakes in the Yorkshire, Newark and Notts area.
In August 2016, the Wildlife Trust upgraded the river facilities to improve matters for wildlife and the local environment.
On the eastern bank of the river lies Catcliffe Flash which was created by overspill from the river and submergence caused by mining. This is a haven for water based wild life. The whole area around the river has been designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and is managed by the Wildlife Trust.