Essex Waterways
Try the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Walk
Things To Do
These rules apply to all anglers on the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation with effect from 1st July 2026
These rules apply from 1st July 2026
EA Rod licences
Compliance with Environment Agency byelaws and possession of a valid rod licence is mandatory. Rod licences must be shown to any EWL bailiff or other member of staff.
All anglers to comply with the following restrictions:
Close season
The close season for coarse fishing is from 15th March to 15th June inclusive. Angling for pike is permitted only between 1st October and 14th March.
Angling locations
Angling is permitted from the towpath or from designated angling platforms. Angling is not permitted:
No fishing within prohibited signed zones adjacent to overhead power lines.
Conduct
No trespassing on any property adjoining the Waterway and/or from causing unreasonable annoyance or inconvenience to the owners or occupiers thereof:
No pollution of the Waterway or to deposit litter or rubbish of any description (including discarded fishing tackle, bait, ground bait and line, and temporary peg numbers) either in the Waterway or on the towing path along any part of the Permitted Length and the Licensees will make arrangements to collect any angling-related litter and to dispose of it properly in accordance with law.
Anglers are responsible for keeping their swim litter free at all times. It shall be the responsibility of each angler to respect the private property of the riparian owners at all times.
Only to fish using rod and line, including pole fishing; any other equipment is expressly prohibited.
Not to permanently remove any fish or crayfish.
Anglers are to be considerate to other anglers and users of the Navigation. Conduct otherwise may result in withdrawal of annual membership.
Swims
No individual angler to occupy or fish from more than one swim at any one time.
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.
Camping
Camping on the Navigation is not permitted.
Fires and Barbeques
Fires or Barbeques (including disposable barbeques) are not permitted on the Navigation. Kelly kettles and camping stoves are permitted.
Litter
Anglers are responsible for keeping their swim litter free at all times. It shall be the responsibility of each person to respect the private property of the riparian owners at all times.
Non compliance will result in disciplinary action and may result in the withdrawal of club membership.
Boats, Drones and Fish Finders
Bait boats and fish finders are permitted on the Navigation
The use of drones is not permitted.
Castable fish finders, feature and depth finders are permitted when used sensibly to search a swim.
Guns
The presence of guns is strictly prohibited.
Radio’s, Speakers & TVs
he Presence of radios, speakers, television, etc, is strictly prohibited unless they are used with an earpiece adaptor or headphones.
Casting
No member to fish their swim over halfway to another angler.
The use of the Washing Line Method is banned.
Unattended Rods
Fishing hook/bait to be removed from the water when the swim is vacated for any reason.
Poaching
The removal or killing of any fish is not permitted.
Fish Care
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.
Anglers are encouraged to carry more than one keepnet.
No fish to be kept in captivity for longer than 6 hours.
Any fish showing signs of distress must be released upon demand of a an EWL member of staff.
Anglers must, upon request of an EWL member of staff, pull in nets to demonstrate compliance to the above rules.
It is recommended that members be in possession of a fish care product e.g. Klinik.
Keepnets may be banned temporarily subject to local conditions or outbreaks or waterborne diseases.
Fish can only be carried in a landing net, weigh sling, unhooking mat or a keepnet.
Spawning Fish
Anglers must not fish for spawning fish or in an area where fish are spawning.
Tackle
Rods – A maximum number of rods is to be used in conjunction with the appropriate rod licence.
Main line – The appropriate line type and breaking strain to be used for the species targeted.
Leaders
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 fight. This should be attached via a suitable braid to line knot to comply with rule 1.16 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 o 120cm of rig tubing.
When pike fishing a suitable wire trace must be attached to the mainline.
Leads
Any fixed lead used must be able to detach itself from the hook-link should the main line happen to break (excluding split shot).
Rigs
Essex Waterways members of staff may inspect at any time any rig to ensure that it is fish friendly in the event of main line breakage.
Hooks
Barbless and micro-barb hooks only to be used.
Treble hooks to be used on wire traces for fishing with dead-baits and must be semi-barbless.
Landing Nets
All Anglers must be in possession of a suitable landing net.
Unhooking Mats
It is mandatory that all anglers be in possession of an unhooking mat. All anglers unhooking fish on the ground/bankside must use an unhooking mat with minimum dimensions of 90cm x 60cm x 2.5cm or carp cradle. No other device may be used.
If the fish is to be subsequently weighed and photographed the unhooking mat must always be positioned under the fish.
In matches padded Fish Safe Weigh Buckets may be used on the ground for the purposes of weighing and photographs.
In all cases the fish should be returned to the water as soon as possible and released when fully recovered.
Carp Sacks
Carp sacks are not permitted, and carp shall not be retained by any methods (including keep nets), except those up to 5lbs approx. weight caught during organised club matches.
Keepnets
Any keepnet used must conform to the following minimum standards; Keepnets must not:
These standards are in accordance with Environment Agency bylaws. Essex Waterways members of staff may inspect any nets at any time to ensure compliance.
Disgorger/forceps
All anglers must be in possession of an unhooking device (such as a disgorger or forceps) relevant to the size and type of hook/s being used and target species.
Bait
Ground bait and Boilies – not more than 2kg of ground bait to be used per angler, per session. Not more than 1kg of boilies to be used as pre-bait per angler, per session.
Peanuts – the use of peanuts as bait is not permitted
Surplus bait – must not be left on the bank.
Live baiting is not permitted.
Dead bait – when fishing with dead fish baits a wire trace must be used.
Free lined static dead baits are not permitted
