Essex

Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes

Club members only

Club members only

Membership is the main route on, but it is worth asking, as many clubs keep guest or taster days open.
Stillwater

Bank fishing only.

About Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes

Thornwood Springs has spring fed trout water on the edge of Epping Forest. The catch and keep trout ticket covers the Stalking Pools and the Big Fish Three Springs end, and the fishery also has catch and release pools. The founder designed the lakes, and the fishery describes them as clear, with good fly life: it mentions buzzers, dry fly fishing and mayfly hatches, and says the land has had no pesticide for many decades.

How to book

Day tickets and booking

Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery

Book

Fishing details

Water type: Stillwater
Boat fishing: Bank only

Stocking and fish species

none stocking · Rainbow, blue, tiger and brown trout, with fish up to 18lb put in, per the fishery.

Brown Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rules and policies

Catch & release

EA rod licence required

Dogs allowed

Ghillie available

Ghillie required

Fishing rules for Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes

Barbless hooks only: no barbed hooks, and no de-barbed barbed hooks such as flattened or crushed ones. Buy your ticket on arrival, before you fish. Line of 8lb breaking strain or more at all times. No boobies. No more than two flies at once. No rod or bag sharing. No dogs. Carry a suitable fine mesh landing net and a priest at all times. In the catch and release pools keep fish in the water while unhooking. Log all catches, catch and keep and catch and release, and report them to the management. Take litter home. Anglers must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence. Tiger and brown trout on the catch and keep ticket are returned.

Amenities

toilets refreshments tackle shop lodge

Where you'll fish

Location

Approximate location

Exact location is hidden at the owner's request. at Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery.

The fishery

Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery

On enquiry 1 beat

FishingBeats is an independent guide with no affiliation to the fisheries we list. Listings are editorial and unpaid, and are not supplied or approved by the fishery. See our listings policy. Listing details are compiled by FishingBeats and may change or contain mistakes. Some services, such as tuition, ghillies, or accommodation, may only apply to certain packages and not to standard day tickets. Always confirm pricing, fishing details, and what is included directly with the beat before you book. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@fishingbeats.com and we will correct it.

FAQ

Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes FAQs

Practical questions anglers ask before fishing Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes, from tickets to tactics.

01How many rods are allowed on Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes at any one time?

The rod limit for Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes is listed on the beat page — check before booking, as limits vary by season and fishery preference. Contact Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery directly if you need to confirm current availability.

02What species can I expect to catch on Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes?

Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes holds Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. The water is unstocked, relying entirely on the wild population.

03Do I need to wade, or can I fish from the bank?

Wading arrangements for Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes are listed on the beat page — contact the provider if you need to confirm before arriving.

04Is a ghillie available, and do I need one?

No ghillie service is listed for Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes at Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery — contact the provider directly if you'd like informal guidance on your first visit.

05Where do I park, and how do I access the beat?

Parking details for Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes are shown on the beat page, including a map pin where one is provided. Always confirm access arrangements with the provider when you book.

06What tackle should I bring?

For most chalk stream beats on the , a 9-foot 4- or 5-weight rod with a floating line is the standard setup. The fly recommendations section on the Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes page suggests the most effective patterns month by month.

07What happens if conditions are poor on the day I've booked?

River conditions can change quickly, especially after rain. Contact the provider as early as possible if you're concerned about Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes at Thornwood Springs Trout Fishery — many are happy to offer an alternative date if the river is unfishable. Cancellation and rescheduling policies vary by provider; check the notes on the booking page or ask when you book.

08Are dogs allowed on the beat?

Dogs are not listed as permitted on Thornwood Springs Trout Lakes. Check the Beat Rules section on the page or contact the provider before bringing a dog, as policies can vary by season and stretch of the .