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Towpath Fishery — River Lee Navigation, Hardmead Lock to Stanstead Lock

A proper 1,600-metre towpath-side stretch on the River Lee Navigation, running from above Hardmead Lock to the boating-marina gate above the Broadwater at Stanstead Lock. Day tickets are available on the bank, with club members fishing free.

Run by Towpath Fishery, managed by Ware Angling Club and Hertford Angling Club · checked 9 Oct 2026

River level

River level integration coming for this stretch.

The lowdown

  • This is navigation fishing rather than wild-river wandering, with the towpath running alongside the bank and plenty of lock-and-boating character.
  • The stretch is split into sections A, B, C and an Upper Section, so there’s a fair bit of water to explore rather than one cramped run of pegs.
  • Hardmead Lock marks the lower end, while the other end finishes at the boating-marina gate above the Broadwater at Stanstead Lock.
  • The water offers coarse fishing, with carp named by the club and larger pike present. Bream and tench are regularly caught too.
  • Perch are regularly caught, while chub and roach are present. Dace, bleak and gudgeon are also named in the club’s fish list.
  • The navigation, locks and nearby broadwater give the place a varied feel. Look for changes in depth and flow around the lock areas and along the towpath-side edge.
  • There’s no need to faff about arranging a day ticket in advance — they’re available on the bank. Club members fish the Towpath Fishery free of charge.
  • Parking is available in Lower Road or Emma Wells Lane, but it’s not a hop-and-drop job. Expect a walk to the river, including a railway-line crossing.
  • Take extra care at that railway crossing. The club specifically flags it, so don’t rush the access bit before getting down to the swim.
  • A close season applies. For the rest of the season, this is a cracking coarse-fishing option with a mix of navigation features, broadwater habitat and a decent spread of named species.
  • We're not sure on ticket prices for this one — check with the club or local regulations before you leave.

Methods: This is coarse fishing water, with the navigation, locks and broadwater habitat offering plenty to look at. A steady wander along the towpath should help you pick out the more interesting water.

Access & tickets

Day ticket

Available on the bank.

Club membership

Members of Ware Angling Club and Hertford Angling Club fish the Towpath Fishery free of charge.

Day tickets are available on the bank. Club members of Ware Angling Club and Hertford Angling Club fish the Towpath Fishery free of charge.

Fish the club names

carp, tench, bream, pike, perch, chub, roach

Key rules

  • A close season applies.
  • The route to the river crosses the railway line; take extra care when crossing it.

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.

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