Barston Lakes
Variety is the name of the game at this top fishery
VARIETY is the name of the game at Barston Lakes, the four lakes on site offering the a wide range of species to go for and an equally vast number of methods to catch them on.
Fishery boss Nigel Harrhy has spent years carefully nurturing and stocking his lakes to offer something for absolutely everyone – but Barston rewards the angler prepared to work at their fishing.
Bites are plentiful from smaller fish on all lakes with roach, perch, small skimmers and small carp rewarding a basic approach – but put the effort in and you’ll be stuck into the big skimmers, F1s and massive carp for which this West Midlands water is famous.
Flanked by the glorious West Midlands Golf Course, Barston Lakes’ jewel in the crown is the Main Lake, offering over 120 comfortable pegs, many accessible to disabled anglers. Depths range from 3ft to 7ft, with an island and golf green island that can be reached on a long cast from some swims.
Fish the float or pole at close range for silverfish and a few carp and F1s that will move close in late in the day. However, a long cast with the Method or cage feeder will see you in with a shout at catching the carp, which run to 30lb. Fish of this size also make Barston a hit with the overnight carp angler – the venue hosts lots of carp matches owing to its prolific nature.
The long pole angler will find plenty of action from bream, skimmers and F1s fishing pellets. On a few pegs, the margins can produce really big carp late in the day.
For a change, check out the small Match Lake, a snake-type water ideal for the long pole with carp between ounces and 10lb on the menu plus a range of silverfish. The newer lakes, Daisy’s and Jake’s, are undergoing regular stockings of fish to constantly improve sport.
Parking is available behind one bank of the Main Lake to cut out a long walk, and when you’ve come off the bank, make sure you pay the deluxe clubhouse a visit. Serving meals and drinks, you can unwind with a spot of live sport on the big screens or take in the view from the massive patio overlooking the Main Lake.