STILLWATERS

BARNBURGH LAKES, DONCASTER, S YORKS

The prolonged sunshine can only mean one thing – it’s time to fish shallow! Match anglers fishing the Bottom Lake on this complex are one step ahead. They have been using the deadly tactic to catch several 100lb-plus bags of carp and F1s, and the biggest weight topped 180lb. The fish are now responding to hard pellets, but still don’t neglect the casters. When fishing shallow, remember to keep bait trickling in. Feed a pinch with every cast, and continue to feed over your rigs. Contact: 07752 528086 Postcode: DN5 7EE

HAMPTON SPRINGS FISHERY, CHESTER, CHESHIRE

Large carp are currently on the feed at this complex, and they’re showing in numbers too. One angler recently landed 11 fish during a session on the three-acre specimen lake, Folly. The fish fell to leger tactics with the fishery’s own brand of boilie, corn or Peperami hookbaits. The carp in here tend to hug the features, so presenting your bait tight to the lily pads, islands or the nearside margins is considered best. Elsewhere on this complex you can enjoy some fantastic 100lb bags of silvers and carp. These are showing well on Long Island to pole fished maggot, corn or paste. Contact: 01948 820789 Postcode: SY14 8AD

HERONBROOK FISHERY, ECCLESHALL, N STAFFORDSHIRE

The top pools to pleasure fish for a big mixed net at present are Canal, Bridge and Meadow lakes. On Meadow, head to the early pegs for carp to 10lb along with silvers and F1s. Target them by fishing pellet and meat tight across on the pole or by clipping up and accurately casting across a small feeder or waggler. Bridge Pool is the most consistent water, with almost every peg capable of big catches. Contact: 07879 441282 Postcode: ST21 6LX

LLOYD’S MEADOW FISHERY, CHESTER, CHESHIRE

You should book in a trip to Badger Lake if you want some non-stop carp sport, as currently it is fishing very well – some anglers have had up to 30 carp in a single session. You’ll be pleased to hear you can catch them on a variety of different methods here too. Best advice is to take a good look around to find the fish, then attack your chosen swim with a pellet waggler approach. Use a banded 6mm pellet on the hook and feed a pinch of pellets regularly over your float to draw the fish up in the water. If you wish to leger, a feeder tight towards the island is hard to beat. Some very large perch also live on this complex – try Kingfisher or Heron for these. Contact: 01928 740710 Postcode: CH3 8BD

PARTRIDGE LAKES, WARRINGTON, CHESHIRE

If you’re after a bend in the rod you could do a lot worse than a visit to this 15-lake complex – it’s teeming with fish! Pleasure anglers should head to exclusive day-ticket lake, Holbar, where you can find large carp, barbel, bream and silver fish. To target them try using a banded pellet hookbait presented over loosefeed on the pellet waggler, or a Method feeder towards the islands. Those who wish to keep it short can use the pole in the edge. Now it’s warm a paste hookbait will be highly attractive to any hungry barbel. Match fanatics should know open matches are held almost daily, particularly on Covey, which is renowned as one of the best match waters in the North West. Contact: 07469 981743 Postcode: WA3 4AQ

REDWOOD PARK, YORK, N YORKS

Silvers are putting on a show on The Arc. In just a short evening session one angler weighed in 47lb-plus of bream, ide, roach and rudd. The water is best approached with a pole. For the silvers keep things fine with maggot, caster or chopped worm – either shallow or on the deck close in. If you want to get through to the carp and F1s, try a pellet up in the water, or corn and meat in the margins. For the chance of a bigger carp, try Redwood Lake. Contact: 07909 956532 Postcode: YO61 1JE

THE OAKS LAKES, SESSAY, N YORKS

Some stupendous weights have been landed during open matches on Ash, Beech and Sycamore – recently the top six all weighed in over 200lb! Although these are match waters, it’s a perfect reflection of the quality of the fishing on offer here. Pleasure anglers are more than welcome, having seven other waters to target. Fishing shallow on Oaks Lake should produce plenty of bites. Use baits such as maggot, caster or pellet, and remember to feed little and often over your rig. If you like surface fishing, a session on Fir Lake during hot conditions could prove fruitful. Contact: 01845 501321 Postcode: YO7 3BG

WHITTLE DENE RESERVOIR, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, TYNE AND WEAR

We recently featured this complex for its roach potential, which is nothing short of incredible for a natural water – 30lb bags are now commonplace. However, another species that is establishing itself on the fisheriy’s map is bream. Just recently an angler took 58lb of skimmers from the tree bank

on the Match Lake. To target them, try either the long pole or the groundbait feeder with traditional baits such as caster, worm or maggot. A commercial tactic such as a small Method feederand wafter could also have its day. Contact: 07984808434 Postcode: NE15 0QA