Fisherwick update - new trout lake opens with major stock The new trout lake opened for business on April 1 following a major stocking of nearly 500 fish weighing between 1lb 8oz to over 6lbs. More than 20 fish weigh about 3lbs. The fish were from Cirencester-based Bibury Trout Farm which have been producing fine quality trout 100 years and have already been seen feeding on buzzers. The stocking included a number of brown trout although anglers are being asked to return these to the lake after capture. The lake is settling down well, although the new main bank will have a pathway cordoned off to cope with anglers walking on the grassed areas. This will be replaced with a stone path around the lake. The water in the lake is now clear and already there are signs of buzzer hatches which the new fish will start to feed on. As a result of the work the new lake should offer year-round fishing as the average depth is now 12 feet with 20 feet at the deepest - the cooler areas being better suited to trout in the summer. A cascading waterfall has been built at the inlet which is fed by the river and this should provide colder water in the warmer months when lake levels are being topped up. A recirculating pump will be used at other times to oxygenate the water. The new prices will be: One fish ticket £12.00 plus catch/release up to three fish Three fish ticket £18.00 + catch/release up to 3 fish Five fish ticket £25.00 + catch/release up to 3 fish There will be a discount of £2.00 per ticket for members of the fishery Youngsters under 16 can share adult ticket and bag limit Anglers must kill their bag limit before any catch and release takes place and any fish taken must be shown to staff before leaving the fishery and recorded at the lodge. Because of the depths close in there is strictly no wading allowed due and anglers are advised to wear an inflatable style waistcoat whilst fishing the venue. Eye protection should also be worn.

Fisherwick Lakes form part of what used to be the Fisherwick Hall estate, the stately home of the former Marquis of Donegal in the 18th Century. Although the original Fisherwick Hall only survived for about 50 years - reputedly thanks to the Marquis's passion for gambling and the urgency of his creditors who took everything they could including the stonework to pay for his losses! - the original coach house escaped their ravages and stands today at Fisherwick Hall. Today it is all that remains of this once splendid house. Set in 32 acres, Fisherwick Lakes themselves offers day-ticket coarse and game fishing on a total of seven lakes and pools which for the most part were originally gravel workings and which now offer a wide variety of sport from large open waters to small, reed-lined and lily-clad pools. Work has recently been completed on the laying of hard stone paths from the car park at the new lodge (right) all the way around the lakes, making the banksides easily accessible in all weathers. Anglers must book in and park by lodge before dropping any tackle to pegs. Further instructions on parking will be given when anglers have booked in. The angling varies from double figure trout to 20lb-plus carp, from roach and rudd to decent bream and tench. Pictured at the top of the page is a superb but typical Fisherwick Specimen Pool Common Carp weighing 21lbs 4oz which was taken by Bromford, Birmingham angler Dave Kelliner. Dave used a large cheese-flavoured boilie fished over a bed of hemp on the gravel bars about 50 yards out. The current record carp, set in 2001, was the lovely 29lbs 12oz Common Carp pictured left. The 12-acre Fisherwick Trout Lake is well-stocked with Brown, Blue and Rainbow Trout whilst for the coarse angler there's a wide choice. At three-and-a-half acres, The Match Pool (top left) is the fishery's main match and pleasure lake; The Specimen Lake is a similar sized specimen water much favoured by carp anglers and The Stream (above right) is an attractive canalised loop with central islands which looks like a cross between a river and a canal and offers a variety of fish and surroundings. Finally, Pump and Triangle Pool are smaller tree-lined haunts for those looking for a little solitude combined with great sport. Fisherwick Lakes was established in 1982 and is operated on a membership and day-ticket basis. Members pay an annual subscription of £60 (£50 on renewal) in return for which they receive 'free' coarse fishing and reduced rates for trout fishing. Husband and wife membership is available at £100 and concessions at £50 (£40 on renewal). Fisherwick membership also allows members to night fish Specimen Lake. Night fishing is restricted to members only and to a maximum of 10 night anglers on the lake at any one time. When the lake is busy anglers are asked to be considerate and to fish a maximum of two rods only. Night fishing pegs must be booked in advance with either Peter Jackson or Bob Kingston on 07765 460026 (mobile). Bob is also regularly on hand to help anglers on the bank. He is very up-to-date with modern carp fishing methods, rigs, tactics and bait. Match bookings are welcome at just £4.00 per peg. Matches should be booked in advance and fees paid at the time of fishing. Day ticket and night anglers are reminded that they must take their litter home with them as many of the litter bins which had been provided have now been removed because they were attracting vermin. Anglers should also note that floating baits are only allowed on the Specimen Carp Lake. Opening Times All year 8.00am until dusk Early morning fishing is available for members by prior arrangement. Day Ticket costs - Coarse Fishing (Non-members) Type of Ticket One rod Two Rods Adult £5.00 £6.00 OAP/Under 16s £4.00 £5.00 Specimen Carp Lake £7.00 £8.00 Fisherwick Trout Lake Varying in depth, one of the features of Fisherwick Trout Lake is a gravel bar which occurs in the lake. Although the average depth is about eight feet, there is a deep channel which runs to between 10 and 12 feet deep immediately off Woodside Bank at the far side of the lake from the Fishing Lodge. This is favoured 'hot spot', particularly during the winter months when the fish move into deeper water, whilst another 'hot spot' is off the oak tree on Lodge Bank where the depth is about 10 feet. About three quarters of the way across the lake from the Fishing Lodge, a stretch which runs roughly between the two islands, is a gravel bar where the water shallows to as little as three feet. Fisherwick Trout Lake holds Blue, Brown and Rainbow Trout which run from about 1lb 12oz at the smallest to well into double figures. The biggest Brown Trout, caught in 1997, was 14lb 2oz - a fish which was returned unharmed to the water - and the biggest Rainbow to come out so far weighed 16lbs 2oz. The average size of the fish is within the 1lb 12oz to 2lb range and the water is regularly stocked with larger fish in addition to the 'put and take' stock which are introduced on a monthly basis except in hot weather when this would reduce the fish's chances of survival. A nice example of one of the good fish to be taken from Fisherwick Lake was this 12lb rainbow taken in 2001 (left). Currently, stocking levels average about 100 fish per acre, although this may be slightly reduced during hot summer weather to prevent overcrowding and oxygen starvation. All 3lb-plus Rainbows and all Blue and Brown Trout are to be returned, giving everyone a chance to catch these larger fish. Most popular techniques are floating or intermediate lines fished with Damsel nymphs, all colours of buzzers, Hare's Ear nymphs, Gold Heads, Stick Flies, Pheasant Tail nymphs and most Dry Sedges. Popular winter flies include Viva, Montana, Cat's Whisker, Whisky flies and Lead Heads. During winter the fishing tends to be best when the fly is allowed to sink and then drawn through the water. In summer, dead drift the fly and use flies which imitate those which are coming off the water. The Match Pool At three-and-a-half acres in size and accommodating more than 40 pegs, The Match Pool is Fisherwick's main match and pleasure water. A general mixed coarse fishery, it holds Mirror, Common and Ghost Carp to 12lbs with the average size being about 5lbs; tench to 7lbs; bream to 5lbs with the average being between 1lb 8oz and 2lbs; perch to 3lbs; roach, rudd and chub to 2lbs; and skimmer bream and Crucian Carp to 1lb. In addition there are small Golden Orfe. One of those waters where you never know what you are going to catch, the Match Pool regularly yields 100lb-plus bags for pleasure anglers and although match weights tend to come in lower these are continuing to improve with the match record currently standing at 86lbs. This was taken in 2005 and consisted of bream and carp caught on pole-fished pellet up in the water. The three most popular pegs tend to be Peg 27, Peg 30 and, particularly during contests, Peg 11. Another popular spot tends to be near the spinney, although anglers can also rarely go wrong if they fish into the wind. Although The Match Pool is about 12 feet deep in the centre, average depths tend to be around eight feet although there is a deep hole about two rod lengths out from Pegs 18 and 19 where the bottom again goes to 12 feet. The water is also a similar depth off the point (bottom picture). Those who have not fished the lake before should try an eight-metre pole fished over depth at between eight and nine feet using red maggot or sweetcorn over a bed of small trout pellets. Other good baits worth a try are trout pellet paste, luncheon meat and, especially for the roach and rudd higher in the water, casters. Also worth a try is fishing corn or meat in the margins as anglers often pick up patrolling carp close in by the side. For the most part a main line strength of 3lb minimum to 1lb 8oz to 2lb bottom should be used to make allowance for the bigger fish whilst those going for the carp should use nothing less than a 6lb line straight through to size 12 hook. Also, if you are catching a lot of small fish and the bites suddenly stop, the chances are that bigger fish have moved into the swim. The Stream Two former artificial 'streams' which were once supplied with moving water from pumps and used for salmon fishing have been turned into a very attractive and popular mixed fishery with the accent on bankside vegetation and good sport. Until 2001 the Streams were two separate waters - The Short Stream and the Long Stream which were both a similar shape to a doughnut. However, these have now been joined into one continous water. Although only two rod lengths wide for the most part, the Streams is a 800 yard long continuous loop with an average depth of about six feet and plenty of reeds, lilies and trees. The deepest part tends to be by the car park where it reaches eight feet and the shallowest parts are at the end nearest Pump Pool where it is about five feet. With Mirror, Common and Ghost Carp to 15lbs; tench to 6lbs; Perch to 3lbs 8oz; Chub and the occasional barbel to 5lbs and more plus a lot of Crucian Carp to 1lb and roach and rudd to 1lb, there are plenty of fish to provide a varied and interesting day's fishing. Also, the Stream is an ideal pool for children because there are a lot of small perch and tench which are easily caught. The best fish tend to be caught near the reeds during the summer and all baits are equally effective. Fish pole or rod but be careful - once a decent fish is hooked it usually makes straight for the nearest patch of weed, reed or bankside vegetation. Hotspots are Pegs 1, 9, 12 and 15 which should be fished right in against cover with sweetcorn, meat or maggot. Near the reeds, Pegs 24 and 25 are good for the carp and tench but strong tackle should be used because there are also overhanging willows. Other favoured pegs are 4, 5,41, 45 and 48 for carp, tench, crucians, roach and rudd. Fishing is good all round The Stream and there are plenty of features such as reeds, weedbeds and overhanging trees to make use of. Again, pole or waggler can be used, although anglers using the pole have to be careful because there are 15-feet high trees along the bank and the bankside trees, shrubs and bushes are growing well! When using the waggler, fish either close in or towards the far bank using 3lb bottom to 2lb 8oz hook length. Hook sizes can be anything from 10 to 18 depending on the species you are going after. Pump & Triangle Pools Pump Pool (left) and Triangle Pool (below) are two separate pools which are very similar in nature and which hold the same species and sizes of fish as The Stream with the exception of barbel and chub. Both are ideal for those who love to fish smaller, more 'natural' waters which look and feel more like good old fashioned farmers' pools. Despite their size, however, Pump and Triangle offer good quality fish and both respond well to pole or waggler. Both pools average about six feet in depth shallowing to three to four feet round the margins and tend to be either 'on' or 'off'. Anglers who fish the pools regularly say you can go there one day and not have a bite - give them a go the following day and you can be hauling out 12lb carp like the one below. Pump Pool has overhanging alder trees on the bank next to the trout lake and these make a popular haunt for the carp - as do the overhanging willows. There is also a lily bed in the middle which is usually the first place the fish head for when they are hooked. Popular pegs on Triangle Pool are again along the Trout Lake bank where a reed bed forms a popular 'hot spot' and near the overhanging trees which makes an obvious haunt for the carp. However, as one would expect with small pools, you should be able to attract the fish to your swim wherever you fish and fishing pellets, luncheon meat, sweetcorn, maggots or caster over a nice compact bed of feeder pellets should usually bring the fish around. In 2005, Angler's Mail correspondent Tony Keeling fished Triangle Pool for a feature and had a bite a cast for four hours - finishing with 40lbs of roach to 1lb and tench to 4lbs. Tony's method was to fish pellets and sweetcorn in the margin with a three-metre pole... simple fishing but a great result! Specimen Lake Fisherwick's Specimen Lake was formerely known as 'The Deep Hole' because on the Match Pool side of the lake off one of the peninsulas is a 30 feet deep sump which was used to collect water from the site when the gravel was being extracted. From the bank next to the trout lake there are various gravel bars and shallow areas about 40 yards out which go into a trough about 12 feet deep before coming back up onto a four foot deep plateau which is where the fish tend to congregate in the warmer weather. Out from the peninsular off the trout bank side is a sunken tree which has a marker on it. The tree-lined bay to the side of this peninsular is a popular place for fishing floating baits in the evenings when the fish move into the margins. The majority of the lake is about eight feet deep although anglers are warned to stay out of the sump except during particularly cold weather. Because of the gravel bars it is also recommended to plumb the depth before fishing. In addition to the carp there are some nice tench to 7lbs. Anglers fishing Specimen Lake must use a minimum line strength of 8lbs and have an unhooking mat and appropriate sized landing net. Only barbless hooks should be used. In summer the best baits tend to be fishmeal-based pastes or strawberry, Monster Crab, squid, garlic and cheese flavoured boilies fished in a pva bag with a mix of hemp, trout pellets and particle baits. The advantage of the pva bag is that it keeps the offering neatly together wherever the bait lands. Suggested winter baits include Tutti Fruitti and other fruit-flavoured boilies, particularly those made up with birdseed mix. In winter, dipping the bait into a bait dip attracter also often helps. For the bigger fish use 18mm boilies on a size 4 or 6 hook whilst mini-boilies on a size 8 hook can be used to offer variety. Boilies are best presented on hair-rigs with pop-ups , D-rings, braid hook lengths and these can be fished on semi-fixed lead rigs. Please note: fixed lead rigs are not allowed . When surface fishing, the most popular baits include dog biscuit, Chum mixers which can be flavoured, crusts and floating boilies. For the more traditional angler who enjoys float fishing, sweetcorn, luncheon meat and bread in the margins can prove effective and, as with all other carp waters with decent reed growth, stalking often pays good dividends. How to get there... Joining the A38 from the A5, head north towards Burton on Trent and take the turning left sign posted Lichfield Industrial Estate. At the end of the slipway turn right and head under the A38. After about half a mile is a turning to the left sign posted Huddlesford. Take this and follow the lane through the countryside. Go under the railway bridge and immediately after the hump-back bridge you will see The Plough Inn on the right hand side. Here the road splits into three - take the middle road and after driving about two miles down the winding road you there is a cross roads, the fishery is signed from here. Click on the map for more detail. Go back to Fisheries homepage