The Committee is very pleased to announce that KDAA members can fish the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation from Chelmsford to Heybridge basin from the 1st July 2026. The fishery is now under the control of the Essex Waterways Ltd
General information: This fishery is shared with several other clubs. Please observe notice boards erected along the canal as certain banks will remain out of bounds or private. The water holds a good mix of species with carp to 30lbs, pike to 25lbs, bream to 8lbs, tench to 6lbs, chub more than 5lbs, perch to 3lbs, roach to 1.1/2lbs and dace to 1/2lb.
The fishing is the towpath and public access banks between Chelmsford and Heybridge basin.
The main features and access are as follows and highlighted on the map – 1. Springfield Lock – Access from Wharf Road, Pay and Display car parking available. 2. Barnes Mill Lock – Limited car parking in meadow. 3. Sandford Lock – Road access with few parking spaces. 4. Cuton Lock – No road access. 5. Stonehams Lock – Road access via Allen Way. 6. Little Baddow Mill Lock – Access via Boreham / Little Baddow Road with limited roadside parking. 7. Paper Mill Lock – Access via Hatfield Road / North Hill with roadside parking. 8. Rushes Lock – No road access. 9. Hoe Mill Lock – Access via the Causeway with roadside parking. 10. Ricketts Lock – No road access 11. Beeleigh Lock and Langford Cut – Access via private road to golf course with limited parking by lock. Access via Tesco’s car park – Please park sensibly. Access via Holloway Road / Heybridge Street Road bridge, no parking. 12. Heybridge Basin – Large public pay and display car park.
Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Rules
KDAA members must follow the KDAA rules but be aware that the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation have the following specific rules that must be followed.
- Angling is not permitted:
- Within 30 metres of any structure.
- Between any boats moored within 20 metres of each other.
- Opposite moored boats unless fishing upstream of the final moored boat at Heybridge Basin or a club organised match with poles only opposite Hoe Mill Moorings.
- From Paper Mill Lock to Paper Mill road bridge.
- In Heybridge Basin, (defined as below the uppermost moored vessel on the towpath to the Lock).
- From canoe portage platforms or lock landing stages.
- At Springfield Basin (defined as within 5 metres of any moored boat above Springfield Lock)
- Below or within 5 metres of any overhead powerlines.
- Where swims are already provided no member shall cut down extra reeds or vegetation. Where swims are not provided, anglers shall be allowed to cut down only sufficient reeds and vegetation to form a swim. The bank is not to be damaged or dug out. Trees are not to be cut or damaged.
- To minimise the risk of spreading waterborne diseases, every item which comes into contact with the fish such as, but not limited to, keepnets, landing nets, weigh slings and unhooking mats, must arrive at the Navigation totally dry. This includes the bags and carryalls that these items are transported in. No carp to be kept in keepnets except in organised matches. All other fish up to 5lb (approx weight) may be retained in a keepnet. All fish over 5lb (approx. weight) to be weighed/returned to the water immediately. A maximum of 30lb of fish to be kept in any one keepnet.
- Readymade shop bought and homemade leaders made from lead core, braid, coated braid or similar material attached to the mainline via a loop, splice or connector are not permitted. When using braid as a mainline a length or monofilament or fluorocarbon must be used to protect the fish from the braid and act as a buffer during the flight. This should be attached via a suitable braid to line knot to comply with rule for fixed leads. The monofilament or fluorocarbon must be of a lower breaking strain than the braided mainline. Alternatively, braid can be used straight through to the swivel but must have a minimum of 120cm of rig tubing.
- Any fixed lead used must be able to detach itself from the hook-link should the main line happen to break (excluding split shot).