A mature 30 acre reservoir close to Basildons "Festival Leisure Park".

Aquatels is run by European Fisheries Management (EFM) who gained the lease five years ago.
Since taking over EFM have banned All other water sports and made it a strictly fishing only water.
Apart from the strict "no litter" rule, fences and gates have been installed for added security for anglers.
Recently the "beach" area has been completely re-dug and new swims built, planted with iris, bull rush and willows.
A small bridge was also placed over the inlet and all the vegetation on the beach allowed to grow over.
Swims and paths on the beach are the only areas cut back to allow anglers access.
Two access gates at the back of the lake secure the area from the quays bay right round to the essex pool.
Between these areas the paths and all swims are mulched to provide anglers with clean conditions to fish from.
Open swims such as knob point and the oaks have are enclosed with reeds and iris and most of the swims on the lake have had ranch style fencing to enclose them in further so as anglers get a feeling of seclusion.
Platforms to the front of many of the swims aid the landing of fish from areas that can be a little shallow at some times of the year.

Mondays are lake maintenance days where general maintenance is carried out, but if needed works are done as they crop up. Anglers fishing are advised in advance if work is to be carried out in there area. Wherever possible works materials used are natural products or selected to blend in with the environment.

All of the access gates apart from the gate at the office are maintained locked at all times so no one walks the lake without our knowledge and permission, something a few years ago was unheard of!!

There is 24hour bailiff cover on the lake seven days a week and the bailiffs office is a focal point for all up to date news and the purchasing of hot and cold drinks, snacks, bait and small items of tack

Fish weights include carp going to 42lb+, bream over 10lb and four different 9lb+ tench.
The 64 new fish stocked in December 2006 between 7lb and 12lb have been coming out and seem to have induced the originals into feeding with over 20 carp coming out in the first week of January alone to 34lb

NO Carp sacks

NO fires/bbq's/guns

NO unattended rods

NO swimming

No Boats except bait boats

Do not feed the geese, ducks, swans or any other wildfowl.

ALL fish to be returned unharmed

SUITABLE sized landing nets at all times for specimen fish.

UNHOOKING MATS compulsory.

YOU are allowed to stay in a swim for one week only then you must move at least two swims away.

YOU will be responsible for ALL guests/visitors to your swim.

STRICTLY NO guests/visitors after dark

JUNIORS cannot fish nights unless they hold a season ticket or have a parent in attendance.

ALL bivvies must be a recognised fishing style and be green or camo only.

STRICTLY a maximum of three rods only.

NO DOGS without written permission from the Fishery Manager.

NO aquatic vegetation to be cut/pulled up/broken/removed without permission from a bailiff.

ALL day tickets must pay for their ticket at the bailiffs office BEFORE entering the fishery.

ALL litter to be taken home and not left on the fishery or in the car parks.

YOU are to show due courtesy to all other anglers and users of the lake at all times.

ANYONE caught under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances deemed not capable of fishing safely will be asked to leave the fishery.

YOU are reminded to be in possession of a valid Environment Agency rod licence's).

NO gate codes are to given out to anybody.

GATES to be kept locked at ALL times.

ANY AGGRESSIVE behaviour towards anglers or staff will result in an immediate life ban.

Anglers are allowed to leave the lake or swim for a maximum of two hours only during any 24hour period