TackleIndex
RiverClub water · Members

Hertford Old River Lea

Hertford Old River Lea is a narrow, winding bit of the original non-navigable Lea, with good depth after recent dredging. It’s a proper mixed coarse fishery with some bigger chub and barbel tucked around the deeper holes and overhanging branches.

Run by The London Anglers’ Association · checked 9 Oct 2026 · boundaries only partly described by the club

River level

River level integration coming for this stretch.

The lowdown

  • There’s a fair chunk of water here — the Association says Hertford has more fishing bank than any of its other River Lea fisheries. Handy, that.
  • The upper section runs from Folly Sluice down to the confluence with the River Beane. Access is via Mill Road, over the wooden bridge and along the footpath towards Dicker Mill.
  • The lower King’s Mead section starts below Dicker Mill Pool and runs down to Ware Park Mill Point, where it meets the Lea Navigation.
  • The river is narrow and winding, with low flow in places. Expect overhanging trees, silt build-up and a few cheeky little glides.
  • Recent dredging has given the river good depth. The deeper holes are the places to have a proper look for the bigger chub and barbel.
  • Chub, dace, roach, perch and bream make up the mixed coarse line-up, with a few good barbel reported too. Pike and occasional brown trout are also mentioned for the Hertford fishery.
  • The banks are high in places, so a long landing net could save a lot of faff when a decent fish comes to the edge.
  • Public-park surroundings around Hartham and Hertford give the venue a pleasant feel, with nearby facilities for non-anglers. Just remember, it’s still a club-members water.
  • King’s Mead is reached from Marshgate Drive through the gate to the open meadow. Parking for that lower portion is via Mead Lane and Marshgate Drive.
  • For the upper portion, park in Mill Lane without causing an obstruction. The river season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive, so plan your trips around that close season.

Methods: Trotting should suit the narrower, slower runs for dace, roach and chub, while feeder work can find fish in the deeper holes. Fish tight to overhanging branches and cover, but bring a long landing net for the high banks.

Access & tickets

The London Anglers Association standard season membership

Membership covers the Association’s waters except Britford. Required for this non-public-access fishery.

£68 (as listed 9 Oct 2026 — check before you go)

Environment Agency rod licence

Required in addition to the Association membership.

You’ll need London Anglers’ Association membership to fish Roxton A; the holder’s handbook lists no day tickets here. Check with the association for the current membership price and joining arrangements.

Fish the club names

chub, roach, perch, bream, barbel, pike, trout, chub

Key rules

  • All visitors to the Association’s non-public-access fisheries must hold membership.
  • Anglers must agree to The London Anglers Association’s rules.
  • A required Environment Agency rod licence must be held.
  • The UK river close season applies; the river season runs from 16 June to 14 March inclusive.
  • Night fishing is not listed as permitted for Hertford and should not be assumed.

Coarse fishing on English rivers is closed from 15 March to 15 June inclusive. That's the law for coarse fish on rivers — it's not a club rule, and game-fishing seasons work differently.

GOV.UK — Freshwater rod fishing rules: when and where you can fish

Where it is

Pins mark the access postcode each club gives, not the bank itself. Exact boundary map: see rights holder.

Community reported

Recent angler updates

No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.

How busy was it?

Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.

No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.

Water updates from anglers

No active water updates.

Help other anglers