Nothing has changed, its still a rip off and you cant cast your line at the designated swims due to overhanging trees. Basically fishermen are not welcome there in preference to overpriced rowing boats. However, rats seem to be very welcome and if you sit quietly on one of the few benches around the rotten lake you will see loads of them.

As of this date, nothing has changed. I walked around the lake a while ago and there was boats everywhere with people larking about on them wit no life jackets on. It is just a matter of time before somebody unfortunately drowns there as that lake is 8ft deep and full of gungy sludge below that. Plus the fact that the whole place is infested with rats peeing in the water and could cause Weils Disease if the water is swallowed or gets into a cut. I wonder if the London Borough of Redbridge in their parsimonious ways would like to take responsibility for that?

Totally agree with the previous post - started my fishing life on the once lovely lake, super bags of crucian carp and tench sitting on the big concrete stones. I used to cycle there from Becontree, could even get up Hog Hill!

I remember the great tench crucian and rudd fishing of the 1950's bread flake counted for great tench. Shame its gone

Redbridge council care not a jot for angling and extremely poor management of all their lakes has left them pretty devoid of fish compared to what they were .

Fishing has now been reinstated at Hainault Lake. Price £10 per day. Fishing is restricted to the North bank which is overgrown with bankside trees which can easily snag your line when casting and striking. The Council do not look after the lake for fishermen and I suspect that they really do not want fishermen there. Also, there are rowing boats for hire on the lake. It is a great shame that the council takes this attitude to fishermen.