Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation – Brown’s Wharf to Heybridge Basin

Brief description of fishery:

Over 12 miles of canal including popular stretches at Hoe Mill, Papermill Lock, Boreham Black Bridge, Heybridge Basin along with quieter stretches such as the Speeney and Barnes Mill.

Known to hold Roach, Rudd, Bream to 10lb+, Tench to 8lb+, Chub to 5lb+, Perch to around 4lb, Pike to over 20lb and Carp to over 30lb and smaller species such as Dace, Gudgeon, Ruffe and Minnows.

Some specimen sized fish of all species to be found by those willing to use watercraft and put the time and effort in.

Most of the more remote stretches still remain largely un-fished.

Please take time to read the separate Navigation rules found in the club rulebook.

The whole of this stretch is shared with Chelmsford AA, Billericay and District AC and Colchester APS.

Fishing Times

Night fishing allowed (without the need to purchase a club night ticket)

Day tickets available on the bank.

The river closed season applies along the whole stretch, even on the canalised parts and the Maldon Canal from Beeleigh to Heybridge Basin (15th of March to the 15th of June inclusive)

Address

Chelmsford-Heybridge

Map reference 713/065 to 872/068

Access & Parking

What3Words (Lock Locations, unless stated)
1) Springfield Lock Access Via Wharf Road, Chelmsford
silver.cake.drum
2) Barnes Mill Lock Limited parking in meadow (poster.inform.deal)
3) Sandford Lock Road access with few parking spaces (stole.buzz.device)
4) Cuton Lock No Road access (toxic.rate.papers)
5) Stonehams Lock Access via Allen Way (times.table.risks)
6) Little Baddow Mill Lock Access via Boreham / Little Baddow Road with limited parking (described.rang.casually)
7) Paper Mill Lock Access via North Hill roadside parking (passports.honeybees.stunning)
8) Rushes Lock No road access (audio.formed.about)
9) Hoe Mill Access via The Causeway with roadside parking (lobster.bowhead.kilowatt)
10) Ricketts Lock No road access (watchdogs.trustees.mashing)
11) Beeleigh Lock &  Langford Cut Access via private road to golf course with limited parking by the lock (tightrope.monkey.relishes)

Access to Maldon Canal also via entrance to Elm Farm Park and via Heybridge Street and Holloway Road bridges (no  parking):

Elm Farm Park Entrance (inflating.dabbling.satellite)
Holloway Road bridge (shielding.examine.surveyed)
Heybridge Street bridge (carriage.developed.strutting)
12) Heybridge Basin Sea Lock
Large public pay & display car park 100 yards from lock (devotion.tilts.bumping)
Car Park (important.harshest.slot)

Maps

Species

  • Bream
  • Chub
  • Common Carp
  • Eel
  • Mirror Carp
  • Perch
  • Pike
  • Roach
  • Rudd
  • Tench