View all rivers, stillwaters and canals across Essex on the interactive map. Filter by species, water type and access.
Essex offers 92 mapped fishing waters on PiscaMaps, including 68 rivers, 24 stillwaters. Species found across Essex's waters include Roach, Dace, Chub, Eel, Bream, Perch, Pike, Rudd.
The Anglian EA region covers the flat fenlands and slower-moving rivers of eastern England. Drainage channels, the Norfolk Broads and rivers like the Great Ouse, Nene and Wensum offer superb coarse fishing — bream, tench, roach, perch and pike are the primary target species. Salmon and sea trout are present in a small number of East Anglian rivers.
A valid Environment Agency (EA) rod licence is required to fish all rivers, canals and most stillwaters in Essex. Licences are available from gov.uk. Club membership or a day ticket is required on most waters in addition to the rod licence.
Click a river for species information, close season dates, access notes and a location map.
57 species recorded across Essex's rivers, lakes:
| Roach | 46 waters |
| Dace | 37 waters |
| Chub | 32 waters |
| Eel | 31 waters |
| Bream | 31 waters |
| Perch | 30 waters |
| Pike | 30 waters |
| Rudd | 28 waters |
| Gudgeon | 27 waters |
| Tench | 20 waters |
| Flounder | 18 waters |
| Trout | 17 waters |
Carp are a popular target across Essex's waters — always use a landing net and unhooking mat and return fish promptly.
Barbel fishing is well regarded in Essex's rivers, particularly through summer and autumn when water temperatures are higher.
Brown trout are present in Essex's rivers — many are catch-and-release only and may be subject to game fishing close seasons (typically 1 October to 14 March).
Salmon are present in some of Essex's rivers. A migratory salmonid licence is required in addition to the standard rod licence.