| Kingsley Carp Lake |
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| Top sport for carp
One hundred years ago this 2.2 acre spring-fed lake used to be a reservoir used for topping up steam trains. Today it’s the turn of anglers to work up a head of steam, hauling out some fantastic weights of tench and other species from this well-stocked mixed fishery. The lake has 25 well-spaced-out pegs and has depths ranging from three to seven feet. There is an island feature and good marginal cover, including rushes, reeds and overhanging willow trees. There is a high stock of species here for both pleasure and match angler alike. Carp in the form of mirrors, ghosties, leathers, commons and crucians in the 6-8 lb class are common. There are also individual fish up to 27 lb. Bream and chub are also present along with some large eels which have been caught to 5 lb. For the specimen hunter there is always a chance of latching into one of the few catfish that are also present. Pleasure anglers usually fish with the pole and pinkie for good nets of silver fish. Bigger baits are the key to getting amongst the bigger fish and fishing with worm or bread on the leger will account for carp. |
The right route
From Harrogate take the A59 towards Knaresborough and cross over the level crossing at Starbeck. Follow the road on up the hill to the staggered junction and turn left into Boggs Lane. Follow this road up to the railway bridge and the fishery is on the left. Factfile
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| Shield Coarse Fishery |
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| Catch a bream Mission here
This one acre pond stands on a farm site and has been dug out to a depth of eight feet. There are 26 platformed pegs to fish from and the lake also has three small islands in the centre offering a good feature to fish to. The main sport here is from the good numbers of tench, bream and chub. Individual bream to 8 lb have been caught and 100 lb mixed bags are a common feature during the summer. Carp are also present and the lake record stands at 26 lb 8 oz. Pole, waggler or a more specialised approach all work here. For the carp try floating crust or sweetcorn for the bigger fish. Tench and bream can be caught on maggot or caster baits fishing in the margins on the pole. Pegs 7-14 are favoured by local anglers and tend to produce the bigger weights. Disabled anglers are allowed to take their cars right down to the water’s edge. |
The right route
Turn off the Al at Leeming onto the A684 and follow the road to Bedale. At Bedale continue on along the A684 to Little Crakehall then turn off right to Hackforth. The fishery is located down the road at the second right turn. Factfile
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| Wykeham Lake |
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| A great escape
This is an attractive and well maintained fishery which offers great sport for all tastes. The venue has a nice peaceful setting in the countryside, with three lakes of which one is a 2.5 acre coarse lake. The lake is heavily stocked with carp averaging 3-4 lb and odd better quality fish up to 13 lb. The fishing here is superb, with catches of 200 lb a regular feature. The depth varies from four feet down to nine and fish can be caught from every peg. There are lots of small bays and reed fringed margins to fish. Most methods work here and early season it tends to be the feeder fishing anglers who score well. However, by far the most popular is pole and waggler fishing. Forget the boilies at this venue as you will catch all you can manage on traditional small carp baits. Sweetcorn, meat, caster and cheese are the top four. Other species stocked are rudd, roach and tench, which can all be caught on floatfished maggot or caster. |
The right route
Wykeham Fishery lies south of the Al 70 between Pickering and Scarborough. Follow the A170 from Pickering, then after passing Wykeham village turn off right at the brown tourist sign for the fishery. This is situated opposite the Hutton Bushell turn off. Factfile
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| River Ouse |
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| Catch a chub Mission here
Leeds and District control this 60 peg stretch of single bank fishing on the right bank, downstream. Depths average eight feet with an even pace and the river extends to some 30 yards in width. This is an attractive part of the River Ouse, with plenty of willows and the main sport is with chub, barbel and bream. Chub are in the 4 lb class and have been caught to 6 lb. There is also a good head of barbel on this stretch and individual species are present to 9 lb. Roach can also provide good sport with the right conditions and hemp and caster is the key tactic. The main method on this stretch is to use a feeder for the chub and barbel with maggot, hemp, meat and worm. Fish close to features and the bigger fish can be found. The stretch is also known for holding a good head of large bream. Caster and worm with groundbait is the method for these fish. Odd eels often show and don’t be surprised to catch them to 2 lb plus. |
The right route
From York take the A59 towards Knaresborough for about eight miles, passing over Skipton bridge. Turn right into Pool Lane and head towards Nun Monkton village and follow the signs for Widdington. Turn right to Sweethills Farm and park up at the car-park just past the farm after a small wood. Follow the sign down to the river. Factfile
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