Searching for a venue that offers something different from the norm? These fisheries do exactly that. From ornamental species to fish you rarely get the chance to target elsewhere, they offer the opportunity to catch something a little out of the ordinary.
What makes them so interesting is the unpredictability. When the float slides away, the tip pulls round or the alarm bursts into life, there is a genuine chance you will not know what species is on the other end until it hits the net.
Stonebridge Fishing Lakes, Northallerton, North Yorkshire
At Stonebridge Fishing Lakes you’ll catch stillwater chub to a good size, and some clonking ide, using pole or waggler tactics, loosefeeding casters. It’s worth spending a little while feeding before casting out, allowing the fish to gain confidence in the bait. There are also barbel present to 5lb that will certainly test your tackle.
Contact: www.stonebridgefishinglakes.co.uk
IF YOU WANT TO CATCH BIGGER FISH, YOU NEED TO TRY THESE TIPS...
Starcarr Lakes, Brandesburton, E Yorks
At this immaculate fishery visit The Clay Pool and you’ve a chance to bag one of the most vibrant fish on our shores – the golden tench. Catch them short or in the margins. A method feeder to the far bank can also score. Don't forget to take maggots to try for the rudd and golden rudd.
Contact: www.starcarrlakes.co.uk
Messingham Sands Fishery, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
The North and South Lakes offer the chance on a day ticket to tangle with one of Britain’s hardest-fighting species – the catfish! They are growing on well here, with night fishing also available from the double pegs, you must book in advance this can be done through the website or the go catch fish app. One of the best tactics is to fish a large chunk of meat over a bed of fishery pellets or boilies, being sure to use strong gear. Oak Tree Lake is also full of surprises, and fishing the waggler or pole will bring regular bites.
Contact: www.messinghamsands.co.uk
Cross Drove Fishery, Thetford, Norfolk
Cross Drove is a haven for mixed species, and is home to just about everything, including catfish and zander. The lake is feature-filled and mature, so strong gear is called for. An interesting way to fish is with worms, either under a float or on the pole. Night fishing is also available booked in advance and is ideal for the lake’s catfish.
Contact: www.crossdrovefishery.co.uk
CATCH THE UK'S WEIRDEST FISH WITH THE BEST FISHING REELS...
Decoy Lakes, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Best known for its bumper match weights, Decoy Lakes is also home to one of Britain’s rarest fish – the tiny bitterling. Angling Times staff have caught these silvery specimens in our annual office matches at the venue, from both Beastie and Lou’s Lakes. Targeting one by design would be a real challenge, your best bet being tofish maggots or pinkies at close range. Don’t go too light with your gear, as this fishery is full of carp! Fancy a stillwater barbel? visit Elm or Cedar lake where they go 6lb+
Contact: www.decoylakes.co.uk
Springwater Lakes, Llanwrda, Carmarthenshire
You never know what’ll be on the end when the float goes under on House Pool, with goldfish, fantail goldfish, koi, and ghosties all on offer! You can catch short, with small expander pellets fished over micros for a slightly better stamp of fish. Maggots are also worth taking along in case the fishing proves that bit more difficult.
Contact: http://www.springwaterlakes.com/
Nine Oaks Fishery, Oakford, Ceredigion
Grass carp are hard to find, but at Nine Oaks they’re in almost every lake, going into double figures. Famously, they don’t fight much until they hit the net. Surface fishing will single them out, so you’re best waiting until it warms up a little before having a go.
Contact: www.nineoaksfishingbreaks.co.uk
IF YOU LIKE FISHING FOR THE UNKNOWN, TRY ONE OF THESE LAKES...
Finch Farm Fishery, Maidenhead, Berkshire
Catfish, grass carp, goldfish, pumpkinseed and even the odd sturgeon can be found here! Floatfishing with maggots is a great bet and will result in bites from a broad spectrum of species. You’ll find plenty of features to target, with marginal reeds a good holding spot. For the larger catfish, a legered chunk of meat or a big pellet will sort them out.
Contact: www.finchfarmfishery.com
How End Fisheries, Bedford, Bedfordshire
You’ll get bites from a range of species at How End Fisheries, with the chance of a golden tench mixed in. Natural baits are a good choice, fished in the deeper water over a bit of groundbait. Worms and casters can single the better ones out, with plenty of the green variety about to keep you busy until you wait for that dazzling flash of gold as you hook an ornamental!
Contact: www.howendfisheries.co.uk
Newdigate Fishery, Newdigate, Surrey
This peaceful fishery is home to a good head of golden orfe that can be found on lakes across the estate. A great way to target these delicate fish is with a waggler, feeding plenty of maggots. The maggot feeder can also work well. Guinea Lake is home to these fish, and to massive sizes – a British record-equalling 8lb 5oz one was banked a few years back! You’ll also encounter catfish and golden tench at the fishery.
Contact: www.newdigate-estates.co.uk
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Mill Farm Fishery, Pulborough, West Sussex
Silver bream are a fish that few anglers care to target, but if you fancy having a go for one, Mill Farm Fishery is the place to head. The British record is from here, and these unusual, large-eyed fish are best targeted with maggot or worm hookbaits on the pole or waggler. A closed season runs from New Year to Easter, giving you plenty of time to brush up on your silver bream identification – the big eye, reddish fins and silvery flanks are all dead giveaways!
Contact_:_ www.fisheries.co.uk
Anglers Paradise, Beaworthy, Devon
The undisputed ‘king’ of unusual fishing in England, Anglers Paradise offers everything and more to someone wanting to catch a strange species. Golden and blue tench, koi, catfish, golden and blue orfe, golden rudd, even some unusual trout – they have the lot! Floatfish a worm over maggots and some groundbait, while corn can be well worth a try too.
Contact: www.anglers-paradise.co.uk
