Canvey Lake

The Lake is a large public open space and provides a local focal point for informal recreation for the population of Canvey Island and has an important role in environmental education and drawing wildlife into an urban environment.  

Canvey Island Town Council has imposed a "No Fishing Zone" over part of Canvey Lake.  The zone covers that part of the lake, which was previously reserved by Castle Point Borough Council for the use of Canvey Island Coarse Anglers. This is at the western end of the lake, near the Oysterfleet Hotel, where children together with their parents or grandparents have historically fed the waterfowl and used the bankside for recreational purposes.  The Town Council are keen to ensure that this lake is able to be enjoyed by the whole community and are now considering options to ensure that this is possible.

Extensive work needs to be done to bring the lake back into good condition and the Town Council will be actively seeking a partnership with an established or new Fishing Club.  The Committee is committed to improving the lake for the whole of the community.  To that end, work will commence once planning approval is received and all relevant consents are obtained.  The first phase is to dredge parts of the lake bed to improve the quality of the water for the fish population and incidentally, to provide better swims for angling.

The project will run through a 3 to 5 year period, Phase 1 will be to dredge and enhance the Denham Road end of the lake, Phase 2 will be to dredge and enhance the middle of the lake and Phase 3 will be to dredge and enhance the Oysterfleet end of the lake.

A feasibility study was completed in November 2008 detailing the possible works and approximate costs along with an extensive consultation study.  A new consultation took place in May 2011 to review the works that the Town Council want to achieve during Phase 1 which were published in our newsletter, in the Town Council office during the period of 17th May to 17th June 2011 and at the Wildlife Day at Canvey West Marshes on the 28th May dedicated to the lake consultation.

The Town Council have a 99 year lease which was signed on the 1st March 2010 and a management agreement with Castle Point Borough Council (the land owner) and is run through a Common Liaison Committee of 2 borough councillors, 2 town councillors and an independent chairman.

Once the planning application is in progress we will be able to tender for the dredging work.  The intention is for any silt removed from the lake to be placed in a biodegradable geotextile tube/wrap and left sealed for a number of months/years and used as fertiliser or to repair and build swims.  There are only two companies in the UK that provide this particular service.  Work has been completed to clear the lake of rubbish that has plagued the lake for many years.  This project is fully dependent on obtaining funding from various sources as the Town Council have the funds to complete minor work and can fund some of the the dredging work for Phase 1 but will not have the funds to carry this project forward which will affect the whole community as the lake is a central point and location on the Island and could be a great place to visit for everyone.

Fishing at Canvey Lake

Rules of Fishing

Fishing is permitted for all designated users in the designated areas only. 

  1. Fishing is strictly limited from dawn to dusk during British Summer Time (sunrise and sunset GMT) and thereafter from dawn to 8pm.  Night fishing is prohibited. 
  2. All Anglers aged 12 years or over must be in possession of a valid Environment Agency rod licence.  Any children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.  
  3. Fishing is only permitted in the designated areas. Vegetation or aquatic weeds must not be cut or removed without first obtaining permission from the Town Council.  
  4. All fish must be returned to the water immediately after being caught. 
  5. The movement of fish stocks from one body to another is strictly prohibited. 
  6. All litter and waste must be removed from your swim, even if it is not your own (Litter includes cigarette butts).  
  7. No radios or other musical equipment shall be used while on site.  All noise shall be kept to a minimum. 
  8. No campfires must be lit on the ground.  
  9. Vehicles are prohibited from the lake area. 
  10. Anglers must abide by the general open spaces bylaws.
  11. Any infringement of these rules or other anti-social activities witnessed must be reported to the Town Council or Police.

 Equipment

  1. Except by prior consent Anglers are restricted to 2 x Rod or 2 x Pole per person.
  2. Barbless hooks must be used. (micro barbed or semi barbed)
  3. Shot weight must be lead free
  4. Keep nets are not permitted
  5. Nut baits are not permitted
  6. All unused bait must be removed from site, to prevent rats.
  7. To prevent harm to wildlife please remove any discarded fishing tackle.
  8. Tents are not permitted.

 Note

The Town Council maintains the following rights:

  • To ban any fishing method or bait it deems to be causing harm to fish or wildlife.
  • To use and reserve any area of the lakes for its own purposes, such as pond dipping or conservation tasks.
  • To suspend all fishing and access to the park or certain areas of the park in extreme circumstances such as a risk to public safety.