ULTIMATE DESTINATIONS
If there’s one species sure to cheer us up once we’re allowed on the bank again, it’s got to be crucian carp. Here are the best places to find them
Set your sights on a crucian carp session when angling returns
SYNONYMOUS with warm weather, everything about these buttery little fish is pleasing, from the delicate tackle used to catch them right through to their aggressive, circling fight.
They’re a classically British fish that are incredibly hardy, but as the popularity of specimen carp fishing has grown, their numbers have taken a hit.
Now, though, with help from the Environment Agency and the National Crucian
Conservation Project, these fish are making a return, and secluded pools containing them can be found across the country.
Here are our favourite waters to catch true crucian carp, some of which are home to monsters, while at others you can finish the day with a bag full of them.
NORTH SICKLINGHALL PONDS, HARROGATE, NORTH YORKS
North Yorkshire isn’t a place you’d expect to find crucians, but at Sicklinghall Ponds you can do just that. Opened by Wetherby and District AC a few years ago, there are four ponds on site, and for regular bites your best bet is Pond 1, where a healthy population of crucians can be found. Large lily beds are obvious features to target using the pole or a waggler with maggot, caster, pellet or corn.
WDAC offers excellent value, with stretches of river and canal alongside its ponds.
Contact: 07742 942990 Postcode: LS22 4BN
HINDLEY DEEP PIT, WIGAN, LANCASHIRE
There are two pools at this gem –
Square Lodge and the Hindley Deep pit. Both hold good numbers of crucians, plus tench and bream.
Square Lodge is around 4ft deep, while Hindley Deep Pit goes down to 12ft, making it more challenging to fish on the float.
Controlled by Wigan and District AC, the waters can be fished on a day ticket, available on the bank. Contact: admin@ wigandistrictangling.co.uk Location: Hemfield Road, WN2 2SA
THE ROSIE, CONNAHS QUAY, FLINTSHIRE
Just over the border in North Wales, you’ll find this secluded water within
the 160-acre Wepre Park.
It’s a classic crucian pond, complete with reeds, lily beds and islands, and holds numbers of quality fish to well over 2lb. It can be fished on a day ticket, or via membership of Connahs Quay and District AC.
Contact: Deeside Fishing Tackle, 01244 813674
Postcode: CH5 4HL
YADDLETHORPE PONDS, SCUNTHORPE, LINCS
A great-looking fishery surrounded by woodland, the Tench and Crucian Pond is classed as a Category A crucian fishery. Controlled by Scunthorpe AA, it’s floatfishing only, but is home to some stunning, dark crucians to nearly 4lb.
Contact: 07851 784546
Postcode: DN17 2BU
MIDLANDS ROCKLANDS MERE FISHERY, ATTLEBOROUGH, NORFOLK
At just over an acre in area, Rocklands Mere is relatively small, although it packs a punch where crucians are concerned, holding specimens to 3lb. An abundance of reeds, pondweed, stonewort and lily pads provide an excellent habitat and shelter for the fish. Most are caught on the waggler fished close to the margins with baits such as maggots, breadflake, corn and casters, although meat and pellets make good change baits if the roach and rudd become a nuisance. Contact: 01953 483971
Postcode: NR17 1UJ
Website: www.rocklandsmere.co.uk
HORNBEAM AND ASH LAKES, HOMECLOSE FISHERY, WHISSENDINE, RUTLAND
If you’re after lots of crucians then try the one-acre Ash Lake. With around 2ft-4ft in the margins and plenty of lilies and reeds to target, it’s a traditionalist’s haven. Fish the pole or waggler with casters and maggots next to the features.
The bigger specimens are found on Hornbeam. Fish the margins or the deep, main bowl of the lake with a groundbait Method feeder. Contact: 07983 969809
Postcode: LE15 7EX
Website: www.homeclosefishery. co.uk
SPRINGWOOD FISHERIES, MELBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE
Both pools at this tiny yet tranquil fishery hold a generous stock of crucians, but if you’re after quality and quantity it’s the Top Lake you want to be fishing. They love micro pellets in this water, so feed a pot next to the pads to draw them in. Pole fishing over the top with single maggot or corn is the way to go. Contact: 01332 492142
Postcode: DE73 8BJ
Website: www.springwoodfisheries. com
WILLOW LAKE, WOODLANDS FISHERY, SPILSBY, LINCS
This 30-year old spring-fed gem was renovated in 2009, with a lot of the lake’s silt and debris removed to allow the resident fish to thrive.
Light lines and small hooks are advised, but you can catch crucians from pretty much anywhere around the lake on all the classic crucian baits. Willow has only 10 pegs, so access is limited to Willow Club members, but at just £10 to join it’s well worth the money!
Contact: 01790 754252
Postcode: PE23 5DW
Website: www.woodlands-fishery. co.uk
SOUTH MARSH FARM, GODALMING, SURREY
This is a target for crucian anglers and a must-visit for anyone looking to catch one over 3lb. The membersonly Johnsons Lake is a recordbreaking water, with a stock of gold bars beyond most anglers’ wildest dreams.
The day-ticket Hill, Harris and Richardson waters are also good for fish over 4lb. Specialist anglers usually target these fish using mini Method feeders or light bolt rig set-ups on bite alarms, but if you’re a bit more traditional, a float fished against the marginal lilies will score. Contact: 01483 428885
Postcode: GU8 5AE
Website: www.godalmingangling society.co.uk
HARPERS LAKES, EXETER, DEVON
This venue comprises two lilyfringed pools with an abundance of features. Surrounding them are wellbuilt comfortable platforms which provide brilliant access. The crucians are growing bigger all the time, with fish to nearly 3lb. A simple whip or pole approach with maggots will
keep bites coming all day long. Contact: 01392 436404 Postcode: EX2 6LT
Website: www. exeteranglingassociation.co.uk
BURY HILL FISHERIES, DORKING, SURREY
The 30-peg Milton Lake is as good as anywhere in the country, in terms of crucian numbers. Past catches have included over 50 fish averaging 2lb apiece, with some pushing 4lb. With an abundance of pads, reeds and overhangs, it gives a very natural fishing environment.
The pole is the best method for these delicately biting fish, but don’t rule out a bomb to the middle of the pool.
Contact: 01306 877540
Postcode: RH4 3JU
Website: www.buryhillfisheries.co.uk
GOODIFORD MILL FISHERY, CULLOMPTON, DEVON
Frantic action can be had on the 3.5-acre Match Lake, which holds crucians to over 2lb. The toughest task on here is getting through to these shy fish, which are often bullied out of the way by carp, bream, tench and some very big perch. A pole in the margins is the best tactic in summer.
Contact: 01884 266065
Postcode: EX15 2AS
Website: www. goodifordmillleisure. co.uk