Essex Waterways
Try the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Walk
Things To Do
Angling
Much of the length of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation’s towpath and backwaters are available for coarse fishing. However there are some restricted sections, mainly among moorings and close to navigation structures.
Species caught along our Navigation include roach, bream, tench, chub, perch, pike, dace, barbell and carp to over 30 lbs.
Members of Maldon Angling Society and some other local fishing clubs may fish the Navigation in compliance with licences held by those clubs. Annual licences and day tickets can also be purchased online – see the links below – or from the Navigation office at Paper Mill Lock, or from the River Wardens. All anglers must abide by the Navigation Angling rules, and must carry photo evidence of their identification and proof of their licence. Annual licence holders are issued with photocards – please have a portrait photo (ideally a jpg file) ready to upload when buying your licence.
The Chelmer & Blackwater is, for most of its length, a canalised river. This means it is subject to the closed season regulated by the Environment Agency (15th March to 16th June), and you will need a rod licence to fish along the waterway.
