STILLWATERS

ANGEL OF THE NORTH LAKES, CHESTER LE STREET, CO DURHAM

There are three lakes on offer here, all of which will produce in the coldest of winter weather. Fishing is best kept simple – bread and bomb tactics and the pellet waggler are producing most of the bites. You can put together mixed bags in excess of 60lb right now. Contact: 0191 4100449 Postcode: DH3 1RF

POTTERY POND, POTTERY LANE, STRENSALL, YORK

Although not easy, this ancient five-acre lake is very rewarding, holding stocks of most species to specimen size, notably carp to 30lb, double-figure bream, and big pike. Quality roach and bream fal to feeder tactics during the winter, with deadbaits scoring well for pike. Contact: 01347 810617 or 07867 584236 Postcode: YO32 5TW

CHARITY FARM, WRIGHTINGTON, NR WIGAN, LANCASHIRE

Four day-ticket lakes are available here. Fishing well is Pond Four, generally a good bet over winter, with decent mixed bags of carp, F1s and silvers. Simple pole tactics work well in matches. Don’t ignore Pond Two, where 50lb mixed bags are possible. Contact: 01257 451326 Postcode: WN6 9PP

HAMBLETON FISHERIES, POULTON-LE-FYLDE, LANCS

All lakes here feature at least one island and have depths down to 6ft – making it a superb winter venue for those looking to catch plenty of silver fish. On Lodge Lake try casting a light waggler tight to the reed beds with caster or sections of chopped worm on the hook for double-figure nets of roach, chub, small barbel and the odd carp to 6lb. Contact: 01253 700818 Postcode: FY6 9EL

LLOYDS MEADOW FISHERY, CHESTER, CHESHIRE

Heron and Kingfisher Lakes both boast a large head of perch over the magical 4lb mark, with the lake record for Heron over 5lb. Prawns are the leading bait, with lobworms a close second. Try presenting these hookbaits on a simple free running leger rig. Drop shot methods are working well on Kingfisher. Contact: 01928 740710 Postcode: CH3 8BD

YEW TREE FISHERIES, NESTON, WIRRAL

Out of the two day-ticket lakes here, the Big Lake is the one to target for bags of silver fish. Recently stocked with more ide, which are showing regularly to floatfished maggot and caster, presented either on the pole or waggler. Few carp have been showing to pellet waggler tactics, but fishing the feeder will also produce. Open matches are held every Thursday. Postcode: CH64 7TW Contact: 07795 380938