Hainault Forest Country Park

Romford Rd, Chigwell IG7 4QL

Angling has been suspended at Hainault Forest Country Park. The purpose of the suspension is to facilitate the establishment of a cohesive Angling policy for the borough as a whole. At the same time it provides an opportunity revaluate the specific demands placed on the lake at Hainault Forest Country Park. As quoted by Hainault Forest Country Park Manager 

Carp up to 30lb

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Fishery questions

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Emmanuel - 30th May 2021 at 4:35pm

Why was fishing banned from hainult forest country park does anyone know?


Bonzo - replied on 22nd Jul 2021 at 10:00pm

At the time of writing fishing is not banned at Hainault Lake. It just costs a stupid amount of cash to fish there and you have to go to Fairlop to get an overpriced ticket. The fishing is limited to a very small part of the bank on the North side and there are trees overhanging all the swims which will snag your gear. You can do anything else in the park such as off road cycling, flying kites, walking etc but fishing is possibly illegally being charged for and restricted. No doubt it is being discouraged so as not to interfere with the overpriced rowing boats that are being hired on the lake. Nothing is spent on the fishing facilities at the lake so why should anglers be ripped off to fish there? This lake was a place where local lads could spend a day out in the fresh air for free along with all the other activities allowed in the park and no wonder they are kicking their heels around the streets causing aggravation. Redbridge Council should be ashamed of themselves for this situation.


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Reviews

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Bonzo - Reviewed 15th May 2022 at 4:02pm

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?


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Kelvin - Reviewed 16th Jun 2020 at 5:30pm

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!


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Let Batten - Reviewed 7th Apr 2020 at 3:12am

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


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Russ w - Reviewed 28th Apr 2019 at 4:12pm

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 .


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Bonzo - Reviewed 16th Nov 2018 at 3:05pm

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.


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