Spotlight on the best carp waters
These fisheries offer all the thrills of catching big carp without having to wait days or weeks for a bite!
IF YOU’RE bored with catching match-sized carp and want to put more of a bend in your rod this weekend, a carp runs water is the place to be.
Heavily stocked with fish to over 20lb, these pools offer action-packed fishing with a chance to land a personal best.
NORTH ALDERFEN FISHERIES, WROOT, N LINCS
Three acres area and bordered by beds of Norfolk reed and mature alders, the Pads lake is heavily stocked with both scaly mirrors and commons to specimen size. You can even catch on the Method feeder here. Contact: 07759 936455 Postcode: DN9 2BG
BRADSHAW HALL FISHERIES, BOLTON LANCS
The 28-peg Lake Two is the carp hotspot at this multi-lake complex. It holds a good head of carp to 28lb and is kept aside from the match anglers as a specimen pool in its own right. Contact: 01204 307197 Postcode: BL2 4JW
LLYN Y GORS FISHERY, ANGLESEY, N WALES
Karpium Lake is the venue’s one-acre runs water. It has seven swims containing around 400 fish to 30lb, including a good head of mid-doubles. For the most bites try the Method feeder, while boilies over particles are better for the bigger specimens. Contact: 01248 713410 Postcode: LL59 5PN
POOL BRIDGE FARM, YORK, N YORKS
The Carp Lake at Pool Bridge Farm is a runs water, heavily stocked with carp weighing in the late singles to early doubles. It has permanent pegs and the lake isn’t match fished, meaning the fish are always in pristine condition. Contact: 07928 359 420 Postcode: YO19 4SQ
MIDLANDS BADEN HALL FISHERY, STAFFORD, STAFFS
The pleasure-fishing-only Middle Pool offers 68 pegs of carp averaging around 12lb, with the odd larger lump. You can night fish this lake as well as surface fish it in the summer. Contact: 01785 850313 Postcode: ST21 6LG
BARSTON LAKES, SOLIHULL, W MIDS
Barston lake is renowned for its lumps, with fish to well over 20lb. The water deepens underneath the electricity wires from around 7ft to 15ft, so these can be good pegs in the cold if the fish are searching for some depth. Otherwise try catching on the drop, or in the margins. Contact: 01675 444890 Postcode: B92 0LB
BODDINGTON & DRAYTON RESERVOIRS, NORTHANTS
Two of the original carp-crunching waters run by the Canal & River Trust, both are still stuffed with commons and mirrors touching 10lb and plenty of them well into double figures. Anglers often target these on the pole with