Bluebell Lakes
...and the complex holds other specimen fish as well
IF YOU keep abreast of angling you can’t have failed to hear about Bluebell Lakes and its massive carp, including famous residents Dave and the Z-Fish.
But there’s much, much more to this massive array of former gravel pits turned fantastic fishery than sitting it out for the carp of a lifetime.
Those big fish rightly grab the headlines. Where else can you buy a day ticket and catch a 50lb fish? That’s why anglers from all over the UK pitch up at Bluebell for weeks on end. If you don’t want carp, the six lakes hold much, much more with the tench and bream sport equally impressive, and there’s even river fishing for those who fancy a bit of running water action.
Top carp lakes is Kingfisher, home to several carp in the 40lb range, but all waters on site hold them too and Sandmartin is relatively underfished. You may catch within a 12-hour session, but normally a weekend stay will ensure plenty of action.
For the tench, head to Sandmartin Lake, where the fish average 8lb, while for bream Mallard Lake is home to a handful of very big fish to 16lb.
If bites are the target, fish Bluebell Lake, where the big resident shoals of bream average around the 5lb mark.
River fans can check out the River Nene that flanks the lakes, stuffed full of little fish plus some big perch, pike and carp as well as bream shoals.
Running through the middle of the complex is the Willow Creek, a fast-flowing sidestream off the main river that’s great for catching roach, perch, gudgeon and small chub on the float.
Visit the weir at the top of the stream and you may just find an elusive barbel!