Stuart I live near there and have fished it the odd time.
The fish are in pockets. There are Chub,Roach and Trout for sure, I've heard of Perch and Pike. Oh, and there are millions of Minnows.
If you go down Kingsway towards Cheadle: Look left and the river looks really inviting. Not many fish here though, I've just had the odd Trout. Look to the right though, downstream. Immediately below the bridge theres fast water on one side and a slack on the other. fishing the crease; I had thirty or so small Chub last summer, and a couple of Roach.
I've walked the bank as far for several miles and there definitely other spots that hold fish. I saw several Cormorants working the slow water a mile or so downstream. Northenden weir is reputed to be good, but snaggy.
As far as I know it's free fishing.