www.twaps.co.uk Kent Fishing Club

BLUE LAKE - Northfleet

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL NO MORE KEYS ARE BEING ISSUED FOR ACCESS TO BLUE LAKE FOR THE PRESENT TIME. CURRENT KEY HOLDERS WILL STILL HAVE ACCESS.

Back in the 1950's there were 3 lakes in the area... Blue Lake was one and the other two were called "The Half Moon" and "Quarter Moon", with the latter two lakes being filled in for what is now Ebbsfleet International Railway Station. It was fished by all the local factories in the area at the time. As years went by nearly all the factories closed and it was then decided by those individuals who fished the lake, to form two clubs - Blue Circle and Thameside WAPS who now jointly have the fishing rights to the lake at this present time.

Blue Lake at Northfleet is a natural spring fed lake. It is not a commercial fishery and is a strictly members only water. It is approx 595m long by 248m wide. (Roughly 36.5 acres) It varies in depth from 1.2m - 7m (4' - 22'). It can look very daunting on your first visit there, because of its size, compared with your standard commercial fishery. To your left on entering you will see there is a huge white cliff running down the length of the lake. This is known as the Railway Bank and the other side is called the Tree Bank. There are various swims along both sides and before it was closed for water extraction these swims had names such as Gammels, Steps, The Pipes, The Ramp, The Old Pump House etc. There are various features such as bays and gravel bars which can be fished for or in, but you will have to do your homework and put in the time in on the lake to find out where they are and when you get it right the fishing can be very rewarding. This is common though with fishing a gravel pit.

Blue Lake holds carp, (mirrors and commons) up to 40lb, Bream to 16lb, roach to 2lb and eels to 8lb and many other species. The lake has not been fished for the last 5 years. Last year, 2007, was the first year that fishing started up again. It was closed due to the workings on the viaduct to the new Ebbsfleet station. Over this period of time nature took its toll on the lake. Swims have been made by anglers who now fish the lake, but a lot of work still needs to be done.

As mentioned earlier this is a totally private water and access is by membership to the aforementioned clubs. It has taken a long time to get the fishing rights back to be allowed to fish the lake again and therefore there are a special set of rules that apply to this Lake. They MUST be adhered to and there is zero tolerance for anyone caught breaking these rules. Access to the lake is by keys only, which can be obtained along with a set of rules from Mr R. Graham who is controlling it on behalf of Thameside APS. Phone 07713 717053 for details.

Directions to the water:
Take the Northfleet exit of the A2 onto Springhead road, 2nd exit off the first roundabout ( Springhead road ) first exit on the next roundabout on to Thamesway. The Blue Lake is on the right hand side, the entrance being just before the traffic lights. Ebbsfleet Station is on the left hand side.

Blue Lake is still available to members but the style of fishing of the past is probably not suitable now due to increased water levels, loss of bank due to development, cormorant predation etc, but good quality fish are being caught with carp and bream being the dominant species.

Night fishing is permitted at Blue Lake.