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Fishing

Fishing in Chelmsford is possible in some of the rivers that flow through the parks, as well as other areas that Chelmsford City Council owns around the city centre.

We do not own the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation (the canal) but you can visit Essex Waterways for more information about fishing there.

To fish in Chelmsford’s rivers, you need to have a rod fishing licence from the Environment Agency. You can find more information and buy your rod fishing licence at GOV.UK.

Angling for coarse fish is not permitted during the closed season (15 March to 15 June each year). Visit GOV.UK for additional information about freshwater rod fishing rules.

Fishing Reel

You can fish in many places along the:

  • River Can, which flows through Central Park and Admirals Parks
  • River Chelmer, which flows from Valley Bridge to Bunny Walk and into the city centre

 

You can’t fish:

  • in the city centre by the Meadows Shopping Centre
  • from the concrete channelled river banks which run from the city centre through to New London Road by the M&S back entrance
  • on either side of the river at Bell Meadow and Blue Sky Pasture (which is near Market Square on one side and the County Cricket Ground on the other)
  • from the riverbank next to Tesco on Springfield Road
  • either side of the weir near the Essex Records Office
  • in the West Park Pitch and Putt course

You also can’t fish from any bridges, due to risk to pedestrians and people using the river below.

There is no fishing in the lake in Central Park.