Best Fishing Lakes in Essex

The fishing is great, but the scenery is even better. Essex County offers some of the best fishing lakes in the UK. From Ardleigh Reservoir to Blind Lane Fisheries, anglers looking for a new challenge are plenty of opportunities. Whether you’re an old pro or just getting started with your first rod and reel, these destinations have something to offer every type of fisherman. Here are the best fishing lakes in Essex, UK, their size, and the kind of fish you can catch in them.

Ardleigh Reservoir

Ardleigh Reservoir is an artificial lake in the village of Ardleigh, Essex. Aside from its fishing, tourists can also enjoy other activities at this destination, such as boating and birdwatching. The fish species you’re sure to catch in this lake include carp, tench, bream, perch, and roach. The water body size is 120 acres, and its maximum depth is 4 meters (13 feet).

Blind Lane Fisheries

Blind Lane Fisheries is a privately owned fishery that’s been in operation for more than twenty years. This place is a favorite among anglers because of the variety of fish species it caters to and its friendly environment. Carp, tench, bream, perch, and roach are just some of the species you’ll find here. Blind Lane Fisheries is open throughout the year. The fisheries measure 5 acres, and its maximum depth is 4 meters (13 feet).

Woodys Fishing Lake

Woodys Fishing Lake is a 10-acre fishery that offers affordable fishing. The fish you can catch here include carp, crucian carp, tench, bream, and roach. During the winter season (from October to March), this destination introduces visitors to ice fishing, an experience not many anglers enjoy. This location has great views of the Essex countryside and is open during the summer season.
Woodys Fishing Lake is a small fishery, measuring 4 acres and reaching a maximum depth of 3 meters (9.8 feet). Anglers looking for a place to stay a little longer might find this destination appealing as it also offers camping facilities.

Colmans Cottage Fishery

Colmans Cottage Fishery is a 3-acre lake popular among visiting families and anglers looking for quiet, peaceful surroundings. You can expect to catch perch, roach, and tench here. Camping facilities are available at this destination on a first-come, first-served basis. Fishing is open throughout the year, and it opens as early as 5 AM.

Fennes Fishery

Fennes Fishery is a 3-acre lake that’s known for its friendly and charming atmosphere. Carp, tench, perch, and roach are just some of the fish species you can catch here. The fishing season starts in March; this destination opens as early as 5 AM, closing at 8 PM.

Lake John Fishery

Lake John Fishery is a 7-acre lake with scenic views of the surrounding Essex countryside. This location is particularly popular among families looking for a quiet getaway that’s close to home. You can expect to catch carp, tench, bream, and perch in this destination. Open all year round, fishing here starts at 5 AM, closing an hour before sunset.

Mill Barn Fishery

Mill Barn Fishery, located in North Weald, is a 14-acre lake that requires an entrance fee. The fishery offers both roach and carp; however, you can also catch tench at this site. You’ll need to pay £6 (about $10) for adults and £3 (around $5) for children aged 8 to 16 years old. Open all year round, fishing here starts at 5 AM, closing an hour before sunset.

Newlands Hall Fishery

Newlands Hall Fishery is a private fishery with carp, crucian carp, tench, roach, and perch. This destination is available for open water angling all year round. Newlands Hall Fishery also offers ice fishing during the winter season for the more curious visitors, starting from November to March.
Newlands Hall Fishery covers an area of 3 acres and has a maximum depth of 5 meters (16 feet).

Oakford Farm Fishery

Oakford Farm Fishery is a privately owned fishery that’s been operating since 1978. The surrounding landscapes are some of the most scenics you’ll find at a fishing site, and it offers shelter from wind and rain. You can expect to catch carp, tench, roach, perch, and eel at this destination.


Oakford Farm Fishery has an area of 4 acres, and its maximum depth is 6 meters (20 feet). It’s also worth pointing out that this destination offers camping facilities, making it a great choice for anglers to visit the area for longer.

Thornwood Springs Lakes

Thornwood Springs Lakes is a fishery located in Waltham Abbey. The site offers anglers access to carp, bream, roach, and perch. This destination has been operating for more than 20 years, and it’s popular among anglers looking for a quiet retreat from the busy city life. Thornwood Springs Lakes covers an area of 5 acres at a depth of 3 feet. It’s open all year round, and it opens as early as 5 AM, closing at 8 PM.

Oak Lakes Fishery

Oak Lakes fishery is located in Ongar, Essex. The fishery offers relaxing surroundings with carp, bream, roach, and perch. This destination has an area of 4 acres, reaching a depth of 9 feet. Oak lakes fishery also offers open water angling all year round, with early morning starts at 5 AM throughout the year.


Oak Lakes fishery offers camping facilities, and that is why it’s a frequently chosen destination among anglers.

Timberland Fishery

Timberland Fishery is a privately owned fishery with scenic views of the surrounding forests and lakes. Here you can catch roach, tench, perch, and bream in an area of 4 acres, reaching a depth of 12 feet.
Timberland Fishery opens as early as 5 AM, and it closes at sunset every day for visitors to enjoy camping facilities.

Redbridge Lakes

Redbridge Lakes are located in Redbridge, London. This location offers several ponds that are suitable for people of all ages looking to fish. You can expect to catch carp, crucian carp, tench, perch, and roach at this destination throughout the year.


Redbridge Lakes opens as early as 5 AM, closes at 8 PM, and it’s open throughout the whole year. Its size is 1 acre and reaches a maximum depth of 12 feet.

Par Coarse Fishery

Par Coarse Fishery is a full-service coarse fishery with an area of 4 acres and a maximum depth of 8 feet. You can catch bream, carp, tench, perch, roach, and rudd at this destination throughout the year. Par Coarse Fishery is open all year round, with early morning starts at 5 AM.

Lea Valley Leisure Complex

Lea Valley Leisure Complex is a full-service coarse fishery with an area of 2 acres and a maximum depth of 4 feet. The site offers car parking facilities for visitors to enjoy. You can expect to catch carp, tench, perch, and roach at this destination throughout the year.
Lea Valley Leisure Complex is open all year round, with early morning starts at 5 AM.

Cobbs Farm Quarry

Cobbs Quarry is a full-service coarse fishery with an area of 1 acre and a maximum depth of 6 feet. Throughout the year, you’ll catch bream, common carp, tench, roach, and rudd here. Cobbs Quarry is open all year round, with early morning starts at 5 AM.

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