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 Pitsford FisheryPitsford Northamptonshire NN6 9BB Tel: Jan - 07743 966286(m) or 01604 643678 Bill - 07940 917521 (m) or 01604 880197 or E-mail: william.hulme@yahoo.co.uk 
An established venue for more than 30 years, Pitsford Fishery is a former two acre stone and blue clay quarry which is well known for its carp to 30lbs and heart-stopping catfish which have been caught to over 60lbs.
During 2011 and 2012 further work is being carried out to scallop out some of the existing 30 or so pegs to make them large enough to accommodate bivvies as well as further improve access around the lake and carry out additional tidying and tree planting around the site.
The lake's growing reputation as a big carp and catfish water has led over the past few years to a decline in the number of pleasure anglers fishing the water. This is unfortunate because there is an abundance of silver fish in the lake and the best catches are usually to be had from near the sides, where there is plenty of bankside cover, because the fish are reluctant to stay in deeper water frequented by the catfish.
Day ticket fishing is from 7.00am until dusk and night fishing is allowed by advance booking anywhere around the lake with the exception of from the pegs on the small island. Pitsford is a secure site and the gates are locked at dusk with anglers being given the regularly changed code. During 2011, it is planned to number each peg so that night anglers will be able to book individual pegs in advance.
Although Pitsford holds plenty of large fish there are few rules with the exception that barbel, carp and catfish should not be retained in keepnets; groundbait should not be used; anglers are not allowed to use fixed leads and should not fish in amongst the lilies.
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The fishery was taken over by new owners at the end of 2010, since when a great deal of work has been carried out in association with the fishery management team at nearby Moulton College to remove excess weed, create a track around the lake, install two new bridges, improve pegs, plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs, provide new hedges and fences and create a new car park with its own toilets.
Because Pitsford is a former shallow quarry the lake is fairly sheltered and is accessed down a gravel track which runs to the water's edge from the car park. Depths vary from about nine feet to 18 feet at its deepest in the centre of the left hand bay. The shallowest water is to be found in the bay to the right of the entrance track where a bar runs parallel to the island. Along the top of the bar about six feet of water can be found.
Silver fish stocks include good heads of perch to around 4lbs, tench, roach, rudd and stillwater barbel, all of which provide excellent sport for those who fish for them.
Pitsford Fishery
The water out from the far bank and the island is shallower at about 12 feet at its deepest.
Whether you are visiting Pitsford for pleasure fishing or a session after the big carp and cats, all parts of the water can be productive with big carp and cats being taken from the shallower bay to the right of the entrance track, out in the deeper water of the left hand bay, in the open water between the far bank and the island and in close to the sides.
For those after the carp the water holds common, mirror, ghosties and koi to just over 30lbs. The biggest fish, however, are the catfish which have been caught to over 60lbs with fish of 48lbs and 47lbs having already been caught in 2011. In addition to the big fish there are plenty of cats between 30lbs and 35lbs.
Whilst most anglers fish ledger techniques either out towards the lilies, in open water or in the margins, in warm calm conditions floating baits also work well for the carp with dog biscuits and bread being the two most popular baits.
Anglers not after the bigger carp or catfish tend to use a Size 10 hook to 8lb to 10lb line, although those after the bigger fish should step up their tackle and use bigger baits, particularly for the big catfish.
If fishing the waggler they tend to fish the shallower parts of the lake, in the bays between the lilies or in the margins, whilst a method or cage feeder packed with hook samples produces good results in the deeper water.
