Durrants Lake
Directions
Large perch on the prowl 
A 1.5 acre man-made which over several years has become a well-established tench fishery with a growing reputation. This is a town venue that has all the character of a countryside setting. The disabled angler is well catered for here and there is a good access to the water’s edge with wide, smooth grass banks leading down to special platforms. Many of the tench are caught in the deeper water using a sliding float, due to the depth. The key bait here for the bigger specimens is a large piece of flake fished slightly overdepth. During the summer months caster can be a good feed bait and even a change bait for the hook. The water also holds a good head of bream to 6 lb. chub to 3 lb and plenty of small rudd and roach. For the bream, worm and caster is a good bet and for good sport with the smaller fish use maggot or caster. Perch are also caught to good sizes and spinning or floatfishing with worm are both good methods to try. Odd carp are also present and have been caught to 16 lb on meat and sweetcorn baits.		 The right route
From the A41 London road to Apsley turn left at the Spotted Bull Pub on the corner of Durrants Hill Road. Continue up the road over two bridges and the entrance to the fishery and 
locked car pound is on the left just after the second bridge.
 

Factfile
Day tickets £5, but you must be accompanied by a member 
Contact Tel Mike Ayling who will put you in touch with a member on 
01442 230925 
Nearby tackle shop Queensway Angling. 52 Queensway, Hemel 
Hempstead, Tel 01442 254123 
Bans: No boilies, nuts, beans 
 
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Bure Valley Lakes
Directions
Plenty of roach and tench 
These two spring-fed lakes offer quality fishing for a variety of species in beautiful surroundings. Poplar Lake holds a good head of tench and roach with individual roach topping the 2 lb mark and tench reaching 5 lb. As the water is fairly clear, waggler fishing three to four rod lengths out is the best method. Caster and maggot are the two main baits and it’s advised that feeding on a little-and-often basis will keep fish in the swim. For the serious carp angler Home Lake offers the best chance for a 20 lb carp. Fishing a single boilie in the margins over a bed of hemp or pellets is the key to catching. Carp are also caught out in the middle on warmer days and it is a case of plumbing around to find a feature. This lake has depths of up to 16 feet. Mass baiting with boilies is not allowed.		 The right route
Take the A140 from Norwich towards Cromer and Aylsham take the B1 354 through the town towards Saxthorpe. The fishery is 4.25 miles from Aylsham on the right-hand-side.

Factfile
Day tickets £5 per day for Poplar Lake, £7.50 per day for Home Lake 
Contact Mike Smith, Tel 01263 587666
Nearby tackle shop On site 
Bans No nuts, no mass baiting 
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Gimingham Lake
Directions
Three lakes to choose from 
Top tench sport is on offer at this fish filled water. There are three lakes to choose from and the largest of the three is the most popular. This water varies in depth from four to 14 feet, is three acres in size and is stocked with a good head of mixed species. There are two islands in the lake and it is here that most of the resident carp can be found. Carp can be caught to 20 lb plus on a variety of methods including floaters. The marginal area is the place to floatfish for some fantastic tench sport. The best approach for good tench is to feed the swim with sweetcorn, caster and trout pellets and fish over the top with caster and worm. Most of the tench caught vary between two and 5 lb. Pole-fishing or waggler fishing with maggot and caster will account for good bags of smaller fish. The other two smaller lakes are well stocked with good numbers of silver fish and also offer great sport.		 The right route
From Cramer head east on the 81159 towards the village of Trimingham. Once through the village, turn right at the signpost for Gimingham and the fishery is on your right opposite the church.

Factfile
Day ticket £3 
Contact 01263 120432 
Nearby tackle shop John’s Tackle.
Norwich, Norfolk, Tel 01603 614114 
Bans No night fishing 
Facilities None
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Graves Park Pond
Directions
Roach on the whip 
The tree surrounded fishery is controlled by Sheffield City Council and is situated in Graves Park just south of the Sheffield city centre on the A61. The average depths here are around four to five feet and there is a good head of mixed species to catch. This small pond offers a good head of smaller species for the beginner to tackle, especially the roach. The fishing is quite easy and large numbers of roach can be caught on the whip at close range by fishing with a waggler, pole or whip, on the drop. Hemp and maggots work well here when fishing close in around the marginal area, but you need to feed on a little-and-often basis. Caster is a good bait for picking off the better specimens and roach to 1 lb. have been caught. Other species that can be caught are rudd, perch and carp. The perch fishing is good when using a pole or waggler and fishing with chopped worm. For the carp try using sweetcorn and meat over a bed of casters. Fishing is free and is restricted to one of the two waters present.		 The right route
Take the A61 south from Sheffield city centre. The pond is situated in Graves Park which is on your left. Parking is available along Ashmore Road and in the park entrance along this road.

Fact file
Day tickets Free fishing 
Contact David Hargate, Tel 01142736953
Nearby tackle shop Match Winner, Coalaston, Tel 01246 290928 
Bans None 
 
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The Hundred Foot Drain
Directions
Great tidal water sport 
The Hundred Foot Drain or ‘New Bedford River’ as it is sometimes called is a tidal stretch offering some good sport from a variety of species. The fishing is at its best when the tidal flow slows and turns. The venue is best attacked with a stick float, fishing down the inside line with a maggot hook bait. The mainstay of sport is provided by small skimmers and roach and it is possible to top double figures. A small lead or feeder fished across the drain can give good results for bigger specimens which include the odd chub. This is a summer venue and once the winter floods arrive it is a hard venue to master. Other species beside the skimmers and roach are rudd, eels and bleak. Pole or stick float are the two main methods. Maggots fished over hemp or caster fished over hemp both score well. For the odd bigger bream or chub a small groundbait feeder or straight lead with a bread bait is recommended.		 The right route
On the A142 from Ely travelling towards Chatteris turn off into Sutton Village. Follow the B1381 towards Earith and the Gault is sign-posted on the right-hand-side of the road.

Factfile
Day tickets £5 on the bank
Contact 01223 300216 
Nearby tackle shop Anbury Angling Centre. 48 Arbury Court, Cambridge.Tel 01223 300216 
Bans None 
Facilities None, public fishery
 
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Shallow Brook Lakes
Directions
Three fish-packed lakes on the outskirts of Norwich offering great sport for the day ticket angler. The Specimen Lake is the jewel in the crown and holds a good head of carp with lots of double figure fish to aim for. There are also several carp over the magical 20 lb mark. Tench run big in this water and a 7 lb tench is not un-common, if you’re after a tench Mission then try fishing here. Snipe Lake is a one acre water which is classed as a bagging water and is full of fish. Simple waggler tactics seem to account for most of the big hauls made, corn over pellet seems to be the in method here at the moment. Good mixed nets of crucians, bream and tench are a regular feature from Snipe Lake. The Match Lake is exactly what it says it is. Many of the local clubs regularly book this water for open competitions and do well on pole tactics. The fishing on this water is limited to one bank only and provides anglers with an undisturbed far bank swim to fish too. Caster and hemp score well on the match water as does maggot fished up-in-the-water. The right route
From Norwich head west on the Déreham Road. At New Costessey turn right at the traffic lights down Old Norwich Road. After half-a-mile you will cross the tiny River Tudd and the lakes can be found on either side of the road.

Factfile
Day tickets £5 
Contact Martin Green. Tel 01603 747667 
Nearby tackle shop Norwich Angling Centre. Norwich. Tel 01603 400757 
Bans None 
Facilities None
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River Colne
Directions
Chub to 4 lb 
This is a meandering stretch of the River Colne near to Watford which produces some good chub sport, and the fishing is free. There are shallow, fast sections and deeper holes, but typical depths are three to four feet. This water is best attacked with a roving approach and water craft is the key. Spend time walking the banks looking for small shoals of chub and dace before fishing. Also you need to be prepared to move swims when the action drops off. If the swim goes quiet it’s often worth trying a worm as there are some large perch that patrol this stretch. A light spinning rod and a small Mepps spinner will account for small pike and spinners. Later in the year a good number of fish can be caught on bread punch fished over Iiquidised bread, and a larger lump of flake will sort out the bigger fish. The two main methods here are to fish with a stick float and maggot or to sit it out on a Ieger rod with a bread bait. Take some worm with you as the bigger chub and perch love them.		 The right route
From the A4l Aylesbury to London, cross the River Colne just before junction 5 on the Ml. Parking is situated in a lay-by of the north bound A41 on the bridge.

Factfile
Day tickets Free fishing 
Contact Tel 01923 226849 
Nearby tackle shop Oxhey Angling Centre, Watford, Tel 01923 226849 
Bans None 
Facilities None, public water
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Avalon Fishery, Westhay, Somerset
Directions
Lots of carp in the 2-4lb bracket 
This two lake complex set in the Somerset levels offers a roomy 40-plus peg match lake, complete with several central islands offering fish-holding areas. There are lots of carp in the 2-4lb size range including commons, mirrors and ghosties while the larger carp are approaching 10 lb. Bream are a big attraction with slabs to 7lb and quite a few 3-5lb fish are regularly caught. The top tactic on this water is the ‘Method’ feeder cast tight to the island using a fishmeal based groundbait. Floating red maggots on the hook also seem to account for more bites than ordinary maggot baits. Worm can tempt the bream better. The carp lake holds a good head of fish in the 7-15lb range with the biggest just over 20lb and several near 20s. Boilies, corn or meat over a bed of pellets are best for this lake.		 The right route
From junction 23 of the M5 motorway head towards Glastonbury and Street. After about a mile turn left onto the A39 and still head towards Glastonbury. After a further five miles turn left signposted to Shapwick and Westhay. Head into the village of Shapwick turning left at the cross-roads towards Westhay. Follow the road for a mile until you see the entrance to the fishery on the right clearly marked with the fishery’s name.

Factfile
Day tickets £4 
Contact Tel 01278 456429 or 0966 363413 
Nearby tackle shop Thatcher’s Tackle, Wells, Tel 01749 673513 
Bans Match Lake: boilies, keepnets except in organised matches, barbed hooks Carp Lake: barbed hooks, landing net heads under 42 inches, unhooking mats must be used, keepnets and carp sacks 
 
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Eldernell Lake, Coates, Cambridgeshire
Directions
Paste and meat are the key 
A pretty 4.5 acre lake with lots of fish-holding features that offers quality fishing year-round. The main stock fish are carp and they run to 12 lb. They can be caught from all areas of the lake and in particular around the marginal areas or tight to the island. Top method is the pole or legering with meat or trout pellet paste. Carp can also be stalked from some of the pegs and peg numbers 27 to 30 are worth a try on milder days. Other species present include tench, bream, roach and rudd. All these species can be caught on waggler, pole or feeder. However, when fishing the feeder for the bream the water doesn’t allow the use of groundbait, but the bream will respond to a maggot feeder. Pole or waggler fished maggot or caster will account for some good nets of roach and rudd and feeding should be little and often to keep these fish in the swim. Tench are caught on corn or flake baits.		 The right route
From Whittlesey head east on the A605 and after approximately two miles look out for Eldernell Road on your left. The fishery is at the bottom on the right-hand-side behind the playing field.

Factfile
Day tickets £5 
Contact Tel Frank Viary. Tel 01733 840077 
Nearby tackle shop, Wade’s Fishing Tackle, 
Old Fletton. Peterborough, 
Tel 01733 565159. Sheltons Tackle. Stanground, Tel 01733 565287
Bans Groundbait, boilies 
 

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Swangey Lakes, Attleborough, Norfolk
Directions
Comfortable fishing 
There are three well established lakes at this site and all offer quality fishing. The lakes are famous for the big head of carp they house. Anglers in the past have banked up to 16 doubles in a day session. Catfish are also on the cards at this venue and last season saw a massive 401b 10oz cat weighed in - a new fishery record. There are also good numbers of specimen bream and tench in all three lakes. Some of the bream are now approaching double figures and the tench have been recorded to 81b. In lake three there is a good head of roach and rudd for the float angler and some have been caught upward of 21b. This is the time of year to start targeting a water like this as many of the fish are on the feed again after the winter chill. There is still an opportunity to bank one of the big pike from this venue and the record currently stands at 36lb. Rigs and methods will vary an each water, it really depends on which species you are targeting. All manner of baits work here and some of the more popular are corn, worm, boilies, maggots and meat.		 The right route
Take the A11 towards Attleborough and on the bypass look out for the Gravel Pit sign. This will lead you down West Carr Road and you need to keep left at the T -junction. Turn right at the Gravel Pit sign and access to the fishery is well signed on the left just over the stream.

Factfile
Day ticket £6, £10 for 24 hours 
Contact Head bailiff, Ray, 
Tel 01953 452907 
Nearby tackle shop IMP Tackle, Attleborough,
Tel 01953 455282 
Bans Peanuts, tiger nuts, un-hooking mats must be used at all times 
 
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GRAND UNION CANAL FENNY STRATFORD, HILTON KEYNES, BUCKS
Directions
This stretch, controlled by Milton Keynes AA, runs from Licquorice Bridge down to Stoke House and produces good nets of bream. These average 2lb and can be caught on casters. The match record is a 53lb bream bag taken from the slipway by the boatyard. Pole-fished squalls on a size 24 hook work well. This venue goes gin clear after a frost and loosefeeding can be counter productive. In summer a 3m whip works for small fish. Look for features on the far bank when choosing a swim and fish as close as you can to them. Carp to 30lb are prevalent in this stretch and will take floating bread crust in summer. THE RIGHT ROUTE
There is easy access from the Watling Street bridge and the old A5 bridge within Fenny Strafford, in Milton Keynes. 
Day tickets £4 
Contact Milton Keynes Angling, tel 01908 374400 
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GRAND UNION CANAL LEIGHTON BUZZARD, BEDFORDSHIRE
Directions
The Three Locks stretch of the Grand Union Canal fishes well during the colder months and there are 40 pegs available. Controlled by Luton AC, it is around five feet deep and around 16 metres wide, just a little deeper than adjacent lengths and is therefore a good winter fish-holding area. Species are mainly roach, perch to over 2lb and bream to 4lb. Chopped worm scores well and good nets of perch can be had on the whip. In winter squall fished over dark groundbait will catch the roach. THE RIGHT ROUTE
Parking can be found within Leighton Buzzard on the wide verge of the A41 46 on the west side of the canal. This puts you just north of the Three Locks. Fishing is from here on the towpath bank north towards Stoke Hammond and bridge 106. 
Day tickets £3, 50p concessions
Contact D Edwards, tel 01582 728114
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TAVERHAM MILLS, 
TAVERHAM, NORFOLK
Directions
Controlled by Anglian Water Authority this beautiful, secluded, 20-acre gravel pit has developed into a first class tench fishery, with fish averaging 5lb. Around 5ft in depth, you should fish tight to features such as lily beds and reeds to get the best from the water. A Method feeder, open end feeder and groundbait feeder all work well, fishing double red maggot, caster or sweetcorn on the hook. Here 70-80lb bags are possible from June onwards. If you wish to specifically target the larger tench stick to a groundbait feeder, but use small, fruit flavoured boilies as both your hook bait and loosefeed. Carp over 20lb, bream to 12lb and perch to 2lb have been caught and a 35lb pike has also been stocked. The water also contains a handful of quality catfish which are rarely caught. THE RIGHT ROUTE
On the A47 from Norwich take the Ringland turn-off at the Easton roundabout. Turn left at the T-junction and follow the signs for Taverham. Drive over the River Wensum and the entrance to the fishery is on the left.
Day tickets £5 for two rods, available from the Fishery Office/tackle shop 
Contact Tel 01603 861014
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TINGRITH FISHERY, 
BEDFORD, BEDFORDSHIRE
Directions
Located in 20 acres of mature woodland, Tingrith consists of three lakes offering 11 acres of mixed fishing in natural surroundings. Main species are carp, bream, tench, perch and roach. The carp run to over 25lb, catfish to over 25lb, bream to 9lb and roach to 2lb. The first lake is a designated mixed fishery with 4ft of water under the rod tip - a great area to fish. The second 40-peg lake is noted for its tench to 9lb. whilst the third lake is an out-and-out carp water. THE RIGHT ROUTE
Exit Junction 12 from Ml onto the A51 20 to Flitwick. Take the first left signposted Tingrith. Ignore the Tingrith Village sign and take next left, following the brown National Trust signs.
Day tickets £6, £8.50 for two rods. Concessions £3.50 and £5.50 for two rods
Contact Ian Freeman, tel 01525 714012
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BARFORD LAKES, 
BARFORD, NORFOLK
Directions
There are four lakes on this site, with one lake of 35 pegs reserved for day ticket anglers. The match lakes, if free, will also be available for day ticket anglers. Carp run to 15lb, and average 7-9lb. Bream run to 7lb, tench to 6lb. chub to 4lb, plus it also holds roach, rudd, skimmers and golden tench. There are some superbly conditioned roach to over a pound that fall to casters fished only a rod’s length out. Locals fish catfood close in the margins when targeting the carp. No barbed hooks, no groundbait and no boilies. THE RIGHT ROUTE
From Norwich take the Bl108 west to Barford. Turn right at the Fiat garage into Cock Street and continue to the T-Junction. Turn right, go haifa-mile through the village and right into the drive signposted Barford lakes (before the river bridge).
Day tickets £5, £3.50 after 1pm. Concessions are £4 and £3 after 1pm, weekdays only 
Contact Alan Thomson, tel 01603 759624
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GUNTON PARK LAKE, 
CROMER, NORFOLK
Directions
Around 15 acres in size, this shallow estate lake can offer some sizzling bream sport. 100lb bags have been caught by local angler John Odey. The shoals of bream are nomadic and will often follow the wind and should be targeted with long range feeder tactics, though in summer the water frequently colours up and the fish can be caught closer in on waggler tactics. Carp to 20lb have been caught on sweetcorn and the swims by the bridge are favoured areas. THE RIGHT ROUTE
From Cromer head south towards Norwich on the Al40. After five miles turn left down White Post Road, towards Suffield. The entrance to the fishery is on the left through the gate, just past the archway.
Day tickets £3.50 for one rod, £4.50 for two rods. Concessions £2 for one rod, £3 for two rods
Contact John White, Fishery Bailiff, tel 01263 768284
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LAKESIDE FISHERIES, 
EAST BILNEY, NORFOLK
Directions
There are four picturesque, well-established lakes available, situated in the grounds of East Bilney Hall. The target species are carp and it is best fishing for them by using corn and meat presented well overdepth or by fishing a floating dog biscuit close to lily pads. In the colder months the carp are still willing to feed, but if you are struggling for bites fish a single grain of corn or a single redworm on the hook. Best pegs are those with an overhanging bush or tree. THE RIGHT ROUTE
East Bilney is on the B1146 Dereham to Fakenham road. The fishery is behind East Bilney nursing home, on the west side of the road, and is clearly signposted.
Day tickets £5 for two rods, concessions £3
Contact Tel 01362 861015
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CLATTERCOTE RESERVOIR, 
CLAYDON, OXFORDSHIRE
Directions
Around 12 acres in size, this venue is owned by British Waterways and fishes well througout the year. On the Northern Bank the lake is around 6 feet, deepening to around 28ft in the middle. There is a wooden walkway all around the reservoir, apart from the dam wall, which offers 122 permanent pegs. It is heavily stocked with carp to double figures, though most are in the 1-6lb range. Tench to over 4lb fall to red maggot and there are also crucian carp, perch and bream. Here 20lb nets of roach are by no means unusual to maggot and caster. It is a barbless hooks only water and keepnets are banned, except during matches. THE RIGHT ROUTE
The fishery is just off the A423 about four miles north of Banbury. Turn off right to Claydon and the reservoir is clearly signposted to the right.
Day tickets £5, £3 concessions 
Contact Tel 01132 816895 for up-to-date reports (24hr information line)
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LITLE DUNHAM LAKES,
LITTLE DUNHAM, NORFOLK
Directions
This complex of long, shallow lakes is wonderful for crucian carp that grow to over 3lb. There are five lakes available, ranging from 3ft to 12ft deep. Cloud groundbait works well, with bread punch and pinkies presented on-the-drop through the cloud. The crucian carp start to feed from the end of April. There are also lots of roach and rudd as well as carp to over 20lb. THE RIGHT ROUTE
Take the A47 west from Norwich towards King’s Lynn. Go through East Dereham and then Little Fransham. A mile further on turn right down the road signposted Little Dunham. The fishery is opposite Dunham museum.
Day Tickets £4 and £5.50 for two rods 
Contact Dave Howes, tel 01760 725286
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BLUEBELL LAKES, 
TANSOR, NORTHANTS
Directions
There is a huge range of waters to choose from at this fishery, including a two mile section of the River Nene, which holds chub, roach and perch. Bluebell Lakes is the easiest lake to fish and is recommended for the newcomer and contains bream to 14lb, orfe to 4lb, perch to 4lb and crucians to 3lb. Depths vary from 2ft in the margins to almost 20ft in the centre. Most pleasure anglers fish between two and seven feet deep on the float and up to 20 yards out with the feeder. THE RIGHT ROUTE
Take the A605 from Peterborough to Oundle. Upon the signs for Tansor turn off right. Continue down this road until you reach a T-junction, turn left here and then take the next right. You will see the signs to the fishery at this junction. Continue down this track to the office.
Day tickets £5 for adults, £4 concessions. Half-Day tickets are £4 and £3 for concessions
Contact Tel 01832 226042
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Narborough Farm Fishing Lake,
Narborough, NorFolk
Directions
Seventeen peg Meadow Lake is the only coarse fishing lake on this trout dominated complex, but what a good fishery it is. The lake is formed in a triangular shape and is stocked with a good head of mixed species. Depths in the margins range from a few feet but deepen to some 16 feet in the centre. The banks are very comfortable and well maintained making this a suitable fishery for the disabled angler. The stock of fish in Meadow Lake is varied and consists of carp, tench, bream, chub, roach and the dace. Some of the carp are close to 20lb and there is a good head of smaller carp present. Pole fishing in or around the marginal area is the favoured method for good nets of smaller fish and odd carp and tench. For the bream and roach a waggler fished a few rod lengths out scores well. A specialist approach works well for the larger carp with meat or corn hook baits. Mixed bags to 50lb are possible and most of the matches held here are won with 30lb plus! The right route
From Kings Lynn head east towards Norwich on the A47. After about eight miles look out for Narborough village and the fishery sign on your right. Go into the village and the fishery is on your left just after the garage.

Factfile
Day tickets £4.50, 9am-4.30pm
Contact Grant Kennedy, tel 01760 338005
Nearby tackle shop Key’s Tackle, Swaffam, Norfolk, tel 01760 720188
Bans Boilies, spinning, keepnets, night fishing
 

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