Where to fish in Essex

Fryerning Fisheries (XL Carp)

Ingatestone · 3 lakes on site

A long-running Essex big-carp syndicate across three gravel-pit lakes — this is a members-only water, not a day ticket.

Crow Green Fishery

Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood · 2 lakes on site

A day-ticket Essex fishery known for its catfish, with a separate accomplished-anglers-only Main Lake and an easier Car Park Lake for everyone else.

Birds Green Fishery

Fyfield, near Ongar · 3 lakes on site

A small, long-running three-lake day-ticket complex in the River Roding valley, originally opened in 1980 with one lake and since grown to three.

Newland Hall Fishery

Chelmsford · 4 lakes on site

Newland Hall has four lakes for carp, mixed coarse and match fishing, with ordinary visits handled on a turn-up-and-fish basis. Brook offers carp advertised to 30lb+, while eight-swim Osiers is the more focused big-carp option.

A12 Lakes

Chelmsford · 3 lakes on site

A12 Lakes near Chelmsford gives you two specimen carp waters and a compact mixed-coarse Canal Lake. There are proper lumps advertised, but check membership, minimum bookings and gate times before committing to a session.

Churchwood Fisheries

Brentwood · 3 lakes on site

Churchwood Fisheries near Brentwood offers three lakes on an exclusive, advance-booked basis, with carp over 30 lb advertised in Churchwood and Wels catfish in two waters. Proper mates’ session territory, but check the access and tackle rules before loading the motor.

Crowsheath Lakes

Billericay · 4 lakes on site

Crowsheath gives you four different options, from the island-lined Specimen Lake to mixed coarse fishing on Pleasure Lake. There’s night fishing and a handy kit-transfer service too, but check the tariff before booking — the published prices don’t all agree.

Clavering Lakes

Saffron Walden · 4 lakes on site

Clavering Lakes near Saffron Walden gives you four properly different options: specimen carp, a dedicated Carp Lake, predators and mixed coarse fishing. Book ahead, pack for your chosen lake’s rules and don’t confuse overnight fishing with round-the-clock gate access.

Chigborough Farm & Fisheries

Maldon · 5 lakes on site

Chigborough has a cracking spread of coarse fishing near Maldon, from 14-acre May Water to exclusive weekends on Scraley Mere. Overnight tickets, fly fishing and handy onsite comforts give you plenty of ways to make a trip of it.

Berners Hall Fishery

Ongar · 3 lakes on site

Berners Hall near Ongar gives you a proper choice of carp water: the 24-acre Res, smaller Meadow Lake and exclusive-booking Poultons. Everything needs booking and paying for in advance, so this isn’t a turn-up-and-pay job.

Ardleigh Reservoir

Colchester · 2 lakes on site

Ardleigh is proper big-water fishing near Colchester: 120 acres with carp exceeding 40lb, pike exceeding 25lb and mixed match-fishing species. Associated Wick Lane Lake offers a smaller, day-only option with carp exceeding 30lb.

Hanningfield Reservoir

Chelmsford · 1 lakes on site

Hanningfield is a proper big Essex reservoir, with stocked rainbow trout and fishing from the dam, natural banks and motorboats. The big catch: fishing was still advertised as temporarily suspended when checked on 3 October 2026, so check before making plans.

Par Fishery

Ingatestone · 2 lakes on site

Par Fishery has two roughly 4-acre lakes near West Horndon and Upminster. It’s aimed squarely at carp anglers, with decent reported carp to around 40 lb, plus mixed coarse species and some very serious Wels catfish.

Churchgate Lakes

Battlesbridge · 4 lakes on site

Churchgate Lakes is a sizeable Battlesbridge complex with four waters, from family-friendly fishing on Back Lake to proper specimen carp and catfish hunting. Bottom Lake is the clearest non-member option, while Middle Lake is members-only.

A12 Cuton Lakes

Chelmsford · 3 lakes on site

A12 Cuton Lakes — officially A12 Lakes — is a three-lake complex near Chelmsford with proper carp fishing on the two specimen waters and cheaper mixed coarse and match angling on the Canal Lake.

Bayeswater Fishery

Chelmsford · 1 lakes on site

Bayeswater is a proper specimen-carp day-ticket water near Chelmsford, with a reported average carp size around 20lb and fish to just over 41lb. Access is controlled, so sort the membership, key and current booking details before travelling.

Crowsheath Fishery

Downham · 6 lakes on site

Crowsheath Fishery is a booking-only venue at Crowsheath Farm, Downham, with carp and mixed-coarse fishing across four advertised lakes. Specimen Lake and Pleasure Lake are currently active according to the contact page, with night fishing, handy facilities and some proper grown-on fish in the mix.

Fishers Green Complex

Waltham Abbey · 6 lakes on site

Fishers Green Complex is a cracking mixed coarse venue around Waltham Abbey, with river, channel and big stillwater options inside Lee Valley Regional Park. Access is controlled by the Fishers Green Consortium through member clubs, so sort the right ticket before packing the rods.

Colemans Cottage Fishery

Witham · 5 lakes on site

Colemans Cottage Fishery is a sizeable Essex venue with five purpose-built day-ticket and match lakes, plus members-only Cottage Lake. There’s a decent spread of carp, F1s and silver fish, with tickets from £15.

Chigborough Fisheries

Maldon · 6 lakes on site

Chigborough Fisheries is a big Maldon complex with year-round coarse and carp fishing, plus fly water and a proper mix of species. There’s plenty of range here, from carp reported into the 40s to crucians, pike and large catfish.

Rayne Lodge Fishery

Rayne · 3 lakes on site

Rayne Lodge Fishery is a cracking three-lake day-ticket venue near Braintree, with affordable fishing, permanent pegs and a proper mix of carp, tench, bream, roach and crucians.

Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation

Maldon · 3 lakes on site

A cracking 14-mile canalised river fishery running from Chelmsford to Heybridge Basin, with roach, bream, tench, chub, perch, pike and carp among the headline targets. Day tickets and annual licences are available, with night fishing allowed outside the closed season.

Nazeing Fisheries

Nazeing · 4 lakes on site

Nazeing Meads is a huge Lee Valley Fisheries venue, with around 125 acres of main lagoons, proper carp potential and a cracking mix of coarse and predator fishing. It’s permit-controlled, so joining and current availability need checking before you make plans.

Oakwood Park Lakes

Rivenhall · 3 lakes on site

Oakwood Park Lakes is a remote three-lake venue at Hockwold near Thetford, Norfolk — not Rivenhall, Essex. There’s a big-fish Predator Lake, a smaller coarse lake, and an ornamental lake with a picnic area.