VENUES FOR A BIG ROACH

POOL BRIDGE FARM, YORK, NORTH YORKSHIRE

There are some belting roach in Horseshoe Lake. Fish a pole or waggler with a strung-out rig, loosefeeding caster or maggot. Contact: 07928 359420 Postcode: YO19 4SQ

BRADSHAW HALL, BOLTON, LANCASHIRE

Lake 4 is home to quality roach that can be caught in numbers. Feed a bit of groundbait and fish a range of hookbaits.

Contact: 01204 307197 Postcode: BL2 4JW

MESSINGHAM SANDS FISHERY, SCUNTHORPE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE

While this fishery is best known for big weights of carp, it’s got belting roach too. Fish shallow on the pole, feeding regularly. Contact: 07900 265981 Postcode: DN17 3PN

WOODLAND WATERS, ANCASTER, LINCOLNSHIRE

The Specimen Lake holds some colossal roach, with some breaking the 2lb mark. It’s a deep lake, so set up several rigs to fish different layers of the water. Contact: 01400 230888 Postcode: NG32 3RT

WOLD FARM FISHERIES, WELLINGBOROUGH, NORTHANTS

You can catch the roach net of a lifetime here. Hemp and tares are a great way to find the better fish and avoid the other species. Contact: 07974 000230 Postcode: NN29 7XA

FURZTON LAKE, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS

This Milton Keynes AA water can be fished on a day ticket, available on the bank. Feeder fishing can produce some of the larger residents.

Price: £8 day tickets Postcode: MK4 1ND

BODDINGTON RESERVOIR, BYFIELD, NORTHANTS

You’ve probably seen plenty of carp from Boddington, but its roach go under the radar. A helicopter rig with mini boilies could bring surprising results. Contact: 07908 433373 Postcode: NN11 6XU

CLATTERCOTE RESERVOIR, BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE

The lake record roach weighed 2lb 10oz, and although they’re not often fished for, there’s serious potential here. Contact: 07740 534892 Postcode: OX17 1EN

ROYAL BERKSHIRE FISHERY, WINDSOR, BERKS

Lake 1 is the specimen lake, and it holds roach to over 2lb. Loosefeed maggot and fish the pole over the top.

Contact: 07976 967976 Postcode: SL4 4TE

TRICKLEBROOK FISHERIES, FIVE OAK GREEN, KENT

The Main Lake is a great place to try and catch your first-ever 2lb roach. Large baits, such as triple maggot and corn are worth trying.

Contact: 07743 955812 Postcode: TN12 6SH