On Peg Reviews – Tackle Cast

THE BEST FISHING LAKES IN THE UK

Daniel O'Neill — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:21:06 +0000

Do you find yourself wondering where the best fishing opportunities are in the UK? Well, look no further because we have done the hard work for you!

In this article we dive into some of the best lakes in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – covering some superb natural Carp lakes, vast open waters for Pike and some of the finest coarse feeder fishing locations the UK has to offer.

Why Trust My Venue Review?

My name is Daniel O’Neill, I am a UK angler who has fished in all four countries that make up the entirety of the UK. From my extensive experience, I have spent many years researching the best lakes available to anglers, allowing me to utilise my fourteen years of experience to hand-select a group of UK lakes that are a must-fish for all coarse anglers.

Windermere

Windermere is England’s largest lake situated in Northwest England near Bowness-on-Windermere. It is famous for its superb coarse fishing, as well as its enormous Pike.

The North Basin is the most productive Pike fishing location on Windermere, however, it should be noted that bank fishing is primarily private and therefore it can be challenging to find a suitable location to deadbait from the shore without a long walk.

If you intend to feeder fish, then long-range works best with emphasis on maggots and ground bait fed regularly into fishing spots. There are a large number of Cormorants on Windermere and therefore some anglers believe 4.00pm is a more productive time for catching coarse fish as the birds are less active, thus less likely to spook the fish.

Before fishing it should be noted that maggots and caster are only permitted outside of the closed season dates. Furthermore, camping and lighting fires are not permitted, with bailiffs regularly patrolling Windermere’s shoreline.

From my time at Windermere, I found a great selection of boat rental companies available along the shoreline. While there were some that could be used for fishing, most were not suitable and I therefore recommend fishing Windermere with your own boat to ensure you can successfully target deeper drop-offs.

Within Windermere, Pike have been recorded upwards of 30lb, while Perch and Roach have been recorded above 3lb in weight. Over the years there have been unconfirmed reports of Pike above 40lb landed on Windermere, though there is no firm evidence of these specimens.

There are also a large number of other species that while not as common, do inhabit Windermere. Carp, Chub and even large Catfish are all notable catches.

Bluebell Lakes

Arguably one of the most famous sets of coarse lakes in the entirety of the UK, Bluebell Lakes holds Carp up to a massive 59lb 9oz. These five lakes are some of the most pristine waters in the UK.

Based in Peterborough, there is a great selection of facilities on site such as toilets, showers, onsite bait, a shop and a café.

Day tickets can be purchased for this water, costing £15 for three rods. Morning and evening tickets are available as well as 24, 36, 48-hour and weekly tickets.

Of the five lakes, Mallard is one of the most popular, producing Carp of just under 50lb. This lake boasts forty pegs and stocks over 1000 Carp. Most of the fish within Mallard weigh between 15 and 30lb.

Heightened activity can be seen during the summer months and the far bank has a large shallow area where Carp can be easily spotted. The centre of the lake is the most active feeding zone and the owners recommend continually baiting your swim when fishing here.

Llyn Tegid

Llyn Tegid, otherwise known as Bala Lake, is a fantastic fishing spot for coarse anglers, situated in Gwynedd, Wales. It is well known for its variety of species with fourteen to target. The primary coarse targets are Perch, Roach, Pike, and Eels.

Llyn Tegid has day tickets on sale for £5.00, weekly tickets for £20.00 and annual tickets for only £40.00. All of these can be purchased from the pay and display machines at Llyn Tegid’s foreshore car park.

The lake is famous for its great stock of Pike which have been caught up to 30lb and more, as well as Ferox Trout up to 15lb being landed on Llyn Tegid.

Furthermore, Llyn Tegid is one of the only places in the entirety of Wales where Still Water Grayling can be caught – offering quite a unique and remarkable fishing experience.

However, the key species that makes Llyn Tegid a truly remarkable angling location is the legendary Gwyniad – deep water plankton feeders that are hardly ever caught on rod and line.

Due to the fish only inhabiting Llyn Tegid, a rescue operation has been in place for some years and was organised by Environment Agency Wales to ensure the population does not decline as drastically as it has been.

Float and ledger fishing using worms or maggots is superb in summer when targeting Perch from the shore and those up to 3lb are not uncommon from Llyn Tegid. Over the winter, coarse fishermen excel at feeder fishing on Llyn Tegid, with large bags of Roach and Perch being landed on ledger and swim feeders.

Lough Erne

Lough Erne is the most famous Pike fishing location in Northern Ireland and is based in County Fermanagh. It has an abundant number of local guides that you can book to deadbait or fly fish for Pike from specialised boats. Lower Lough Erne is particularly popular for Pike.

Recent reports from Lough Erne show a consistent catch rate of Pike over 20lb, with some weighing above 32lb in weight. Apart from the impressive Pike fishing, Lough Erne is also known for its Roach which are frequently caught in large numbers, as well as some Bream and Perch.

When targeting the Pike in Lough Erne it is best to search for weedy bays where they congregate through the months of November to March. Winter season is definitely the prime time for targeting Pike in Lough Erne, with deep slow moving sections being the most fruitful.

If you are interested in Tench fishing, they can be targeted during the summer months. The Broadmeadow and Scotch Store stretches are the most popular locations.

Cefn Mably Lakes

Cefn Mably Lakes is situated in Newport, Cardiff. Comprising of an eight-lake complex, three of which are specimen Carp lakes.

Lodge Lake is the most popular venue with twelve swims and 175 fish weighing over 30lb.

Prices vary depending on the tickets you wish to purchase. A Lodge Lake 24-hour ticket costs £30, and £80 for 72-hour tickets, with additional days costing £25.

There are also a large number of amenities on site such as toilets, camping pods and a tackle shop. Some of the cabins are dog-friendly and have WiFi included.

When booking, it should be noted that there is no fishing from the Grebe and Heron cabins.

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is situated in southern Scotland and is well known for its coarse fishing.

Take into consideration that before trying to fish Loch Lomond, the LLAIA have control over the coarse angling and they issue a permit available from the LLAIA secretary or local retailers.

Loch Lomond is a well-known water for Pike fishing. The record Pike currently stands at 47lb 11oz, caught by Tommy Morgan in 1945.

Furthermore, Loch Lomond is known for its colossal Perch – some reach up to 5lb in weight.

There are also great stocks of Roach and Ruffe.

In Loch Lomond, there is a fish named ‘Powan’ which is extremely rare. Over the years Ruffe have destroyed the Powan stock by consuming their eggs. Ruffe were added to the lake by accident when an angler introduced it as a live bait for Pike.

Live bait is now entirely forbidden on Loch Lomond. It should also be noted that targeting Powan is not allowed and if one is caught as a bycatch it must be immediately returned to the water unharmed.

Boats for fishing can be hired from various locations around the loch. On the eastern side, a good boat rental is ‘Balmaha Boat Yard’ and on the South, ‘Boat Hire at Balloch.’

Llandegfedd Reservoir

Llandegfedd Reservoir is none other than the British Pike record water, having held a specimen of 51lb, with many Pike weighing upwards of 40lb.

The reservoir is situated in Newport, South Wales and is a massive 434 acres.

Llandegfedd Reservoir is owned by Welsh Water with day tickets available for £10, and season tickets costing £60.

Anglers should note that fishing is only permitted between March and October.

Although there are some massive Pike in Llandegfedd Reservoir, it is more suited towards match anglers. It is known for its great Bream and hybrid fishing, with some huge bags being recently reported.

Llandegfedd Reservoir also has a variety of match competitions organised by local anglers.

Badden Hall Lake

Badden Hall Lake is a superb Carp lake situated in Stafford. It has a great number of amenities such as a café, showers, toilets, cabins, and a tackle shop. The café is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and breakfast is served from 8.00am till 12.00 noon.

Specimen lakes must be booked online in advance. Badden Hall supplies nets, slings, and cradles. A draw occurs every day at 10:30am which allows for a fair way to select your swim.

One of the primary specimen lakes is named the ‘Quarry’ which holds massive Carp – the current lake record for Mirror Carp is 52lb 8oz, while the biggest Common Carp is 49lb 5oz.

Anglers are recommended to use zigs in the spring and as the water warms up the Carp begin to feed heavier on bait.

It is recommended to only lightly bait your swim if fishing for under 24 hours at a time.

The specimen waters are particularly eventful in the summer when Carp will hit top water floaters.

Hamstall

Hamstall is a five-lake complex situated in the Staffordshire countryside. It specialises in Carp fishing with accessibility for disabled anglers.

One of the lakes named ‘Pool Three’ has a large selection of specimen Carp up to 30lb in weight. This lake is one and a half acres in size and almost all of the fish in it are over 10lb.

Poles are not permitted on this water, with 6-10 hooks being advised, while 42-inch landing nets are essential.

Alongside the Carp, you’ll find a variety of species to be caught at Hamstall such as Roach to 2lb, Rudd to 1lb, Chub to 4lb and Perch to 3lb. When fishing ‘Pool Three’, anglers should note that depths drastically vary on the lake – from four to ten feet. The deepest water is at the entrance to the lake and shallowest is at the far end near a sunken island.

Pools Two and Four were recently netted to remove a large number of Silverfish and smaller Carp. A massive restocking occurred of double-figure fish, some weighing over 20lb.

Anglers have reported fishing into the wind, with luncheon meat and bread floats tending to work best at Hamstall. Ground baits are permitted within reason and a maggot, caster and sweetcorn mix works well.

A small lake named ‘Pool One’ is at Hamstall and includes, what the owners believe to be, several potential British record Gudgeons, some hard-fighting Tench to 7lb, Carp, Roach and Rudd.

If you are interested in group stays at Hamstall, they have an enormous lakeside lodge on Lake Two that is suitable for sleeping up to six people. It includes a kitchen, dining area, and lounge. It costs £350 per night and an extra £100 to reserve ‘Pool Two’.

The lakes open at 7.00am and close at dusk. There is a bailiff on site at all times that will be happy to provide advice and information.

RIVER FISHING NEAR ME – BEST RIVERS FOR BARBEL FISHING

Daniel O'Neill — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 14:16:13 +0000

Barbel are an excellent choice for pursuit in the UK angling scene, known for their powerful runs and impressive stamina, making them one of the pound-for-pound hardest fighting fish in the UK. As a result, they are highly sought after by sport anglers. However, Barbel can be challenging to locate.

In this article, we cover some of the best Barbel fishing destinations in the UK, providing essential information on how to fish at these locations, along with general pricing. We will showcase the top spots to target Barbel, with links to helpful websites to assist you in planning your next river fishing outing.

Why Trust My Review On The Best Rivers For Barbel Fishing?

My name is Daniel O’Neill, and I am an avid angler with over fourteen years of experience, having fished in waters across all four countries of the UK. My extensive experience spans from tackling the mighty Beluga Sturgeon in Giezno, Poland, to feeder fishing for a selection of hybrids, and targeting some of Northern Ireland’s largest Pike waters.

In all of my articles, I draw on my vast experience to provide anglers with the information they need for a successful outing. As an angler, I understand what works best for those who share my passion.

River Wye

Prices: £ 10-day ticket

The River Wye situated in Hertfordshire is 134 miles long, being the fifth longest river in the UK. It is well known for its impressive runs of Salmon and holds a record catch of 59lb 8oz, landed by Miss Doreen Davey in the Cow Pond Pool on the 13th of March 1923.

This great feat highlights the river’s pristine water, angling heritage, and fishing potential.

So why have I chosen to recommend the Wye for Barbel fishing? In the 1950s, Angling Times introduced 500 Barbel into the Severn and a small number into the Wye. Over the years the species thrived and became a prime target in the mid-90s.

The middle Wye around Bredwardine became a Barbel hotspot attracting anglers from all over the local area.

Thankfully, after some convincing of the local Salmon anglers, coarse fishing was permitted throughout all seasons and today Barbel can be targeted from Boughrood to Tintern.

It should be noted that when targeting the Wye a double-figure fish would be considered a ‘fish of a lifetime’ and therefore, most anglers only target the Wye specifically for the large catch rate. The fishing there is abundant but if you are hunting for a specimen fish, it is best to look elsewhere.

Today the majority of fishing on the Wye is club only, however there are day tickets for £10 that permit fishing on a section known as ‘town water.’ This body of water is well known for its Barbel and Pike fishing.

River Severn

Prices: £8 – day ticket and £40 – season ticket

The River Severn is the longest river in the UK at 220 miles in length. The river flows through three counties before entering the sea at the Severn Estuary.

Barbel fishing on the Severn is superb around the Welsh border area, being found as far up as the Welshpool. The river’s geology in this location is relatively similar to that of the Wye. Anglers can expect fish meandering corners with gravel beds deposited along the river.

Coming from a local angler, if you haven’t received a strike from a Barbel within 20-30 minutes, it is best to move spots as you are likely to receive a take within five minutes of baiting your swim.

Swim feeders are an extremely popular method of fishing on the Severn, and a ground bait feeder with pellets, hemp, and boilie hook bait is known as the most effective approach.

The Birmingham Anglers Association hold the rights to most of the middle sections of the river, with annual membership costing £40 per angler. If you are interested in a day ticket, Kinver Freeliners offer them at £8 per day for their Hampton Loade stretch.

River Trent

Prices: £ 8 – day ticket

The River Trent is the third longest river in the UK and is well known for its large run of specimen Barbel. It starts in Staffordshire and flows to the North Midlands directly out of the Humber Estuary. At a total length of 298km, there are numerous locations for targeting Barbel along the river.

A large number of the swims on the Trent are club owned, therefore we will focus our attention on a popular day ticket stretch of the river, encompassing two miles of fishable water. Fiskerton and Rolleston fisheries offer day tickets for £8, permitting the use of two rods at a time.

Multiple species can be landed from this section of the river such as Barbel, Chub, Pike Carp, Roach, Perch and Dace. The fisheries permit a variety of methods, so whether you are interested in stick float or heavy swim feeders, there is something for every angler.

The current Barbel record stands at a massive 20lb 6oz, caught on the 20th June 2020 by angler Seweryn Kowalski, showcasing the true specimens within the Trent.

Many anglers highlight that although most shy away from fishing the river in full flood, locals believe this is one of the best times to target the Barbel on the Trent. Fishing with 15lb line, a large chunk of hair-rigged luncheon meat targeting meanders, and rock headlands can be highly productive.

River Rhymney

Prices: £10-day-tickets

The River Rhymney is situated in the Welsh Valley and runs through New Tredegar to the east of Cardiff.

Although a relatively small river it is well known for its Barbel and Grayling fishing. Barbel are usually targeted from its lower reaches at Draethen to the Caerphilly Angling Association water.

Barbel is not the usual target of anglers in the Rhymney, however, anglers have landed them up to 9lb 12oz and many believe that the river holds larger fish.

A River Rhymney day ticket can be purchased for £10 at the Caerphilly Angling’s club page. This permits you to fish the Rhymney for Barbel on all of the club’s water.

River Taff

Prices: Unknown

The River Taff is situated in the Brecon Beacons where two rivers known as Afon Taf and Taf Fechan join at Merthyr Tydfil and run into the Bristol Channel. Barbel can be targeted by anglers from the Radyr Weir to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Each year the River Taff is known for producing a selection of double-figure Barbel. In 2014 an 18lb 1oz Barbel was caught from the Taff. This semi-recent catch illustrates the potential sizes that Barbel can reach throughout this stretch of water.

Anglers should be aware that fishing on the Taff is far from easy. A combination of issues makes it challenging for anglers to target Barbel. For example, many stretches prohibit night fishing and there are also relatively limited swims along the river, some of which can be dangerous at times to fish.

Nonetheless, do not let these issues prevent you from targeting the Barbel. A challenging water to target usually means less activity and therefore the fish may be less cautious when feeding, improving your chance of receiving a strike.

Day tickets for the River Taff must be purchased from Garry Evans Tackle Shop situated on Whitchurch Road in Cardiff. A seasonal license can be purchased all year around from the Glamorgan Anglers Club.

Before anglers commence their Barbel targeting pursuit on the Taff, they should be aware of water temperatures. As the River Taff is situated in the Beacons it can still remain cold during summertime. Therefore, a warm flood in autumn and winter is ideal for chasing Barbel on the Taff.

Back in 2019, Glamorgan Anglers Club restocked the waterway with a large sum of juvenile Barbel to address the reduction of smaller fish in previous years.

River Nene – East Midlands

Prices: Prices vary, day-tickets and club cards are available for purchase

The River Nene is 105 miles long and runs through East England. It is the tenth longest river in the UK and has a good stock of Barbel. It starts in Northamptonshire and runs out to the North Sea at The Wash.

Known as a superb coarse fishery, the river is home to the likes of Roach, Bream, Pike Carp, Chub, Dace, and of course Barbel. The variety of species makes it highly appealing for coarse anglers.

Day tickets can be purchased for stretches at Thrapston and Irthlingborough. A club card can be purchased from Wellingborough for £45 (£30 for seniors), providing access to stretches in the same area as well as Barnwell/Oundle.

Day tickets may be purchased for anglers seeking to fish Castor Backwater – known for its great swims upstream of the bridge on the left-hand bank. As well as the great Barbel fishing there are specimen-sized Chubs and Roaches to be landed.

Sometimes the water runs crystal clear, which always makes for an interesting fishing experience.

Barbel have been landed up to 16lb on the River Nene, showcasing the potential catches of this water. However, it should be noted that night fishing on the Nene is not permitted, which may deter some anglers.

River Derwent

Prices: £7 to £5 per day depending on selected club water

A small river in Derbyshire, known as River Derwent, stretching 50 miles long with the majority running through the Peak District. Although it doesn’t stand out as a prime spot for Barbel, it fishes surprisingly well for them.

The River Derwent has a nice selection of species, such as Chub, Roach, Perch, Bream and Dace. Local anglers report that Barbel ranging from 11lb to 14lb are caught each year.

Koi Croydon landed an impressive 17lb 1oz Barbel from the River Derwent on a dropping water, in a swim where the river narrows into a channel after a bend. This fish was landed just after sunset using a paste-wrapped shrimp boilie hook bait.

A day ticket that costs £7 for the River Derwent can be purchased online from the Earl of Harrington Angling Club, covering Darley Weir downstream to Handyside Bridge, Chester Green and River Gardens Weir downstream to Borrowash Bridge.

Anglers should be aware that some stretches of the water, as well as convenient parking, is only permitted for club anglers and not day ticket holders.

Furthermore, Belper & District Angling Club offer day tickets priced at a reasonable £5 each with discounts for the disabled available on their website. This covers you for fishing all of their water with the exception to Wyver Lane Pond which is reserved for club members.

Overall both clubs’ presence on the water provides anglers a vast amount of well-maintained water to target the River Derwent’s great selection of Barbel.

River Ouse – Yorkshire

Prices: £5-day ticket

The River Ouse is a river situated in North Yorkshire in England, at 129 miles long it is the sixth-longest river in the UK.

The River Ouse is known as one of the most challenging rivers for Barbel fishing. However, I have included it on today’s list as anglers have reported that although it is difficult to find the Barbel, they can lie in great numbers and some days are a fantastic sport.

Many anglers report that the river itself seems to lack obvious fish-holding features, but do not let this deter you, after persistently searching the river at low water for snags, take note and fish these in floods, preferably on warmer summer evenings.

A good starting point would be the mile stretch from Felmersham, divided by the railway bridge. Anglers have reported that above the bridge has a good selection of Roach and Bream, whereas below the bridge, is a shallow weedy area known for holding massive Barbel and Chub.

The Olney Mill offers day tickets for fishing on a stretch of river known for its gravel pits. Gravel is a great terrain to search for when targeting Barbel, usually indicating a good pace of water. Furthermore, this particular stretch was previously known for Barbel, Tench, and Bream although the number of fish has decreased. Night fishing is permitted but regulated. Tickets can be purchased from the Olney & Clifton website for £5.

The River Ouse produced a 13lb 7oz Barbel on the 11th August 2021, caught by angler Mark Jackson. This record showcases the potential Barbel anglers can catch in the River Ouse.

River Colne

Prices: £10-day ticket

The River Colne is a tributary of the River Thames and is situated in south Hertfordshire.

The Rickmansworth one-mile stretch holds some great Barbel and Carp and is a popular location for targeting shoals of Roach and Dace. The lower “Money Weir” has massive Bream weighing up to 13lb.

Overall, the River Colne is a coarse anglers paradise with Barbel to over 14lb, Bream to 13lb, Carp to 20lb, Chub to 9lb, as well as a mixture of different species. The Thorney Weir is a wide stretch of the river with some well-kept swims for anglers looking to target these fish.

A Thorney Weir day ticket can be purchased for £10 for the day or £15 for 24 hours.

There is also a club run by Bath Road Piscatorial Society for the River Colne at Hithermoor. Individuals can join the club and purchase guest tickets at monthly meetings. The fishery runs for over a mile stretch on the river, with quick-flowing water over gravel beds – a well-known terrain for Barbel.

A small weir divides the fishery into two sections. The upper section of the fishery has been highly effective for Barbel with fish over 12lb being reported almost every season. The lower section becomes much more productive for Barbel in the later season, so anglers should note this information if they choose to fish the club water.

In 2021, an 11lb 7oz Barbel was landed by James Dennison, showcasing the great potential the River Colne has to offer.

PIKE FISHING NEAR ME – BEST VENUES IN THE UK

Daniel O'Neill — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 13:06:50 +0000

The UK is one of the best places to land a ferocious Pike. With their impressive array of teeth and hard-striking capabilities, the Pike is known as one of the most exciting pursuits in the UK angling scene.

Thankfully, there are a large number of coarse venues that permit Pike fishing and in today’s article, we will discuss some of the best overall locations based on popularity and catch rate.

Why Trust My Pike Fishing Venue Recommendations?

My name is Daniel O’Neill, and I am an avid UK Pike angler with over fourteen years of angling experience. I live in Northern Ireland, consistently targeting double-figure Pike on deadbaits and lures.

Over the years I have developed and refined my skills, increasing my catch rate and learning how to target these magnificent fish. In today’s article, I plan to utilise my experience, recommending some of the best locations in the UK to target Pike.

Lough Erne

Lough Erne is notorious for Pike fishing in Northern Ireland and I have been lucky enough to have fished it over many years.

It consists of two lakes; Lower Lough Erne and Upper Lough Erne, making it the second-biggest lake system in Northern Ireland.

Pike can be targeted on the Erne year-round, though most anglers prefer to fish for them in the winter. This seasonal preference is primarily due to fish welfare, as Pike tend not to recover as well when caught in warmer weather. Additionally, winter is considered the more effective season for Pike fishing.

Pike above 20lb are a regular catch on the Erne with the odd fish above 30lb being landed. Lough Erne is said to have held 70lb Pike in the 1960s, showcasing the true potential of these waters.

Lough Erne has a great selection of Roach, Bream, and Perch, making for some superb drop shot and feeder fishing.

It is well known that both pier and boat fishing is prosperous on the Erne, however selecting a reputable Pike guide is one of the easiest ways to target the larger females at the more secluded drop-offs.

If you are searching for a budget-friendly approach to the Erne, fishing from November to March in weedy bays works well with common deadbait setups.

It should be noted that Lower and Upper Lough Erne vary drastically in terrain, making it essential to select the one that best fits your fishing technique. Lower Lough Erne is a massive expanse of water, while Upper Lough Erne features a mixture of islands, small channels, and reed beds.

Chew Valley Lake

Chew Valley Lake is a reservoir in England with an average depth of 14ft. It has recently been in the spotlight for producing the brand new 2024 British Pike record weighing a massive 47lb 5oz, caught by Lloyd Watson in February.

Day tickets over the weekend can be purchased to fish the Chew Valley Lake at £75 per angler for bank sessions and £195 per boat session, covering two anglers.

A full predator season ticket costs £775 and there are only 50 available per season, being released at the start of the year.

Chew Valley Lake is a location of special scientific interest, necessitating strict regulations for Pike welfare.

For example, bait boats must not exceed 100 metres from the bank while boat anglers are on the water.

Additionally, boat anglers must stay 100 metres away from deadbait/lure bank anglers, and a maximum of two rods can be used.

Smelt and bluey are recommended baits amongst Chew Valley Lake Anglers.

Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond is one of Scotland’s most popular Pike lakes situated in Trossachs National Park.

It has the largest surface area of freshwater in the entire UK, making it a great venue for boat fishing.

It is highlighted as one of the best locations for Pike fishing in Scotland by the Pike Anglers Club of Great Britain and no permit is needed.

However, it should be noted that deadbaiting is the only permitted form of Pike angling.

There is a great variety of species to target while coarse fishing on Loch Lomond, such as Perch, Roach, Ruffe, Dace, and Powan.

Live baiting is strictly forbidden on Loch Lomond due to the introduction of Ruff which has decimated local stocks of both game and coarse fish.

Llangorse Lake

Llangorse Lake is situated in Wales at the Brecon Beacons National Park. This 327-acre lake is a site of special scientific interest, with an unusually high fish population.

Anglers can target a great variety of coarse species from Pike, Perch, Roach, Tench, Bream, and even freshwater eels.

It should be noted that Llangorse Lake is a boat-only water. Boats can be hired from various locations on Llangorse Lake but they must be returned before 4.00pm.

Llangorse Lake was historically known for holding colossal Pike. The record stands at a massive 68lbs caught in 1846 by O. Owen, highlighting the true potential that Llangorse Lake holds.

Recently, Pike up to 30lb have been landed from Llangorse Lake, with fish above 20lb being common.

Deadbaits are particularly efficient in winter and lures in spring.

Permits for angling are issued by the Llangorse Lake Conservation and Management Co. Ltd.

The Final Word

Overall, the UK boasts some superb Pike fishing venues. In this article I have highlighted my top choices for the most popular Pike fishing venues in each country.

Whether you plan on targeting the specimens in Chew Valley Lake or the large numbers in Llangorse Lake, there is something for every style of Pike angler.

CARP FISHING NEAR ME – BEST LAKES IN THE UK

Lee Stokes — Fri, 02 Aug 2024 12:19:50 +0000

Instead of the usual heavily reviewed well known UK Carp waters, this article is based upon my extensive 25 years of Carp fishing and it is what I consider to be some of the best waters I’ve had the privilege to wet a line.

I’ll briefly cover the whole spectrum of waters, from syndicates to club waters, day ticket and holiday type venues. Also outlining some of the methods and tactics I’ve found to be most productive, as well as the pros and cons of each venue.

The Bowl Syndicate – Staffordshire

Gailey Reservoir or “The Bowl” as it is more commonly known has a current stock of around 350 Carp residing in its 64 acres weighing up to 44lb.

Due to the lake’s size and relatively low stock, it is a challenging venue and not for the novice angler.

Tactics – Heavy baiting with boilie and pellet at range (140 yards plus ) work well throughout the warmer months.

Don’t ignore the margins though, as I’ve caught plenty of fish at 0 to 50 yards range!

Pros & Cons

Pros

Good path access around the whole lake
Bait boats and natural baits allowed between November and March
Parking and toilet facilities either end of the lake

Cons

Sailing club operates every weekend
Fish can spend periods out of casting range

Wellingborough Syndicate Complex – Mill lake – Northamptonshire

The well established Mill Lake is the jewel in the crown of the 3 lakes. The well run syndicate has been operating for 20 years and the Carp stocks are currently reaching their peak!

The Mill stock is very impressive with both Mirrors and Commons pushing over that magical 50lb barrier.

Tactics – Single pop-ups in spring have brought quick success for me in the past. Heavy baiting with boilie in favourable conditions also work. When bites seem to dry up then zigs are a go tactic, especially as the weather cools.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Good path access around the whole lake
Bait boats and natural baits allowed between November and March
Parking and toilet facilities either end of the lake

Cons

Sailing club operates every weekend
Fish can spend periods out of casting range

Bradley’s Lake – Day Ticket- Cotswold Water Park

The well known Bradley’s Lake operates on a day ticket basis which can be obtained from the Tackle Den (local tackle shop). An annual ticket is also available if you intend fishing there on a regular basis.

At 110 acres, the 2000 resident Carp have matured well and many 20 to 30lb of the species are present. A few originals still get caught occasionally, weighing up to 40lb plus.

Tactics – The few sessions I fished at Bradley’s, I found heavy baiting with particle in gaps in the weed produced the most bites. Range fishing seems to be the most productive method.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Multi catches are frequent due to large head of Carp
From past experience, it doesn’t seem to be a busy venue
Access is from 2 sides of the lake

Cons

Large sections are out of bounds
Sailing club operates on Bradley’s
Fish can be out of range with heavy weed in places

Yateley Complex- Farnham Angling Club – Hampshire

Farnham Angling Club controls 4 of the famous Yateley waters, The Copse, Match, Nursery, and South Lake.

Having spent a few nights on each of the lakes, I can say none of them are a given to catching a Carp.

A thought-out, furtive approach to your angling is what’s needed at Yateley – the Carp stocks have seen it all over the years, from some of the very best anglers in the country.

Tactics – Solid bags tight against snag bushes has produced fish on the South Lake. In general, a stealthy approach will work best as the lakes are very busy most of the time.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Easy to buy a ticket from Farnham tackle shop
A great choice of lakes to angle on
Secure car parking and toilets

Cons

Busy banks most of the year
Pressured Carp stocks

Ringwood Angling Club- Northfield Lake

The long standing Ringwood Angling Club control a wide variety of fisheries. Old gravel pits to peaceful, winding stretches of river means there is definitely something for every type of angler.

I mainly spent my time fishing overnighters on Northfield lake.

With a healthy stock of Carp and huge Catfish to target, it isn’t too hard to nick a bite or 2 just fishing short sessions.

Tactics – Solid bags at range were a great method for both Cats and Carp, producing the lake record Catfish thanks to PVA bags filled with krill boilies.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Good path access around the whole lake
Bait boats and natural baits allowed between November and March
Parking and toilet facilities either end of the lake

Cons

Sailing club operates every weekend
Fish can spend periods out of casting range

Linear Fisheries Oxford- Hardwick and Smiths Lake (Day Ticket)

Hardwick for me was always the quietest of the lakes when I used to travel there regularly – a stunning mature gravel pit with a huge variety of underwater features made for tricky but rewarding fishing.

The fishery operates on a day ticket basis offering 2 rod or 3 rod tickets.

Stock wise, I believe there are around 1000 Carp as well as some specimen Tench to angle for, meaning applying a lot of bait at the right time can give multiple hits of fish.

Tactics – The spit that divides the lake into 2 has always been a hot peg as fish pass through from one lake to the other! Finding the correct depth the fish will feed at is key.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Being a well known venue, all lake information is well documented (maps, pegs, etc)
On site tackle shop is just over the road
On site bailiffs will give you all the up-to-date information

Cons

Linear is renowned for being busy, especially on weekends
Can work out expensive if regular trips are planned
Gates open and close at set times of the day

Pochard Lake Cotswolds – Holiday Venue

I have been fortunate enough to have fished this lake a couple of times on separate occasions.

To be able to angle you have to book a lodge which overlooks the lake. A small additional fee is also charged to fish.

The lake boasts an impressive stock of Carp which tops the 40lb mark. Having the comfort of the lodge is great but you do have to bivvy up in swims as fishing from the lodges is not permitted.

Tactics – In my experience, heavy baiting before leaving the lines out the water for a day proved successful with multiple bites coming through the hours of darkness. Fishing PVA bags to clear patches in the weed also produced results.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Good path access around the whole lake
Bait boats and natural baits allowed between November and March
Parking and toilet facilities either end of the lake

Cons

Sailing club operates every weekend
Fish can spend periods out of casting range

Willow Park Lake – Hampshire – Day Ticket

I’ve had the pleasure of a number of over night trips to this 22 acre park lake complex.

General coarse lakes will keep the rod bent with a good mix of Carp, Bream, and Tench to angle for.

The 10 acre specimen lake boasts a Carp stock of around 400 weighing up to the mid 30s, and regular action can be had if you’re willing to work at it.

Being a day ticket venue, the fish line shy at times which means a quiet stealthy approach is needed.

Tactics – Baiting with a mix of boilie and chops worked well for me but I know zigs also score well.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Onsite tackle shop and shower facilities
A variety of fishing on offer – not just Carping
Not far from local amenities

Cons

Carp don’t go up to big weights by today’s standards
Can be busy at times
Noisy banks due to being in an urban area