Because the aim is to provide relaxed fishing in an attractive envoronment there are few rules. As with most fisheries these days, anglers should use only barbless hooks and keepnets are permitted only in matches. Anglers are also requested not to use excessive amounts of groundbait.

Although there is a car park just a short walk from the lake, disabled anglers can drive behind their pegs when ground conditions are suitable, but are requested to ask for permission on arrival at the fishery.

The water has a clay bottom which slopes gradually from all banks to a maximum depth of between six and seven feet, although the entrance side bank shelves somewhat deeper than the far bank.

Three Island Lake is stocked with a mix of coarse fish including mirror, common and ghost carp which have grown rapidly to just over 20lbs, bream to 4lbs and roach and rudd to about 1lb 8oz.

Because of the informal and pleasant atmosphere and location, Three Island Lake is becoming an increasingly popular venue for small club matches with winning bags of 180lbs not being uncommon. Pegs are charged at £12.00 each although there is a minimum fee of £120.00 for matches if numbers are lower than 10. Matches should be booked and paid for in advance.

Keepnets are only allowed for match anglers who are required to use a minimum of two nets - one for carp and the other for silver fish, although all carp of 10lbs and over should be weighed and returned to the water straight away. There is a 50lb maximum limit for each keepnet.

Popular as both a pole and waggler water, there is no particular need to fish modern carp techniques as yet as the fish are easily caught and managed on standard tackle.

Because of its even depth and contours, no pegs are more productive than others, with anglers standing a good chance of catching wherever they choose to fish. Having said that, the pegs near to the entrance are popular pegs and anglers ledgering for the carp do well casting to the islands.

Waggler anglers tend to stick to fairly lightweight tackle unless they are going for the carp, when they should scale up to 6lb or 8lb line and Size 8 or 10 hooks depending upon the bait they are using and how readily the fish are feeding. Those fishing the pole should use the equivalent elastic strength.

Because of the large head of carp in the water, fishing floating bread or dog biscuits in the margins or where the fish can be seen cruising can be effective, particularly in the summer months. Margin fishing is helped by the lush grasses which prove plenty of cover.

For those fishing on the bottom or mid-water, most popular baits so far have tended to be sweetcorn, luncheon meat and maggots, although it is well worth trying flavoured pellet baits, worms and casters. As one would expect, casters can be a very productive bait for the rudd when fished light just under the surface in summer.

Although keepnets are only allowed in matches, groundbait can be used, although for best effect this should be mixed with samples of hookbait and fed fairly sparsely.

Whichever road you choose, on entering Aylesbury follow the signs for the A413 towards Winslow and turn right off the A413 just before Whitchurch, signed Cublington and Wing. Follow the signs for Cublington and when you enter the village you will see a road to the left signed for Stewkley. Follow this road and the entrance to Mount Pleasant Farm is on the right just before you enter Stewkeley.

From the north, leave the M1 motorway at Junction 13 and follow the A4012 to Leighton Buzzard. At Leighton Buzzard you want the A4146 and then the B4012 for Soulbury and Stewkley. When you reach Stewkley, turn left into High Street and right into Dunton Road. Mount Pleasant Farm is clearly signed a short drive down here on the left.

Click on the map above for more detail.

Go back to Fisheries homepage