There’s a very ‘samey’ feel around many commercial fisheries, but if you’re looking for somewhere with real character, here's 10 great venues…
Forest Lane Fisheries, Alne, North Yorkshire
Furlong is a perfectly straight strip of water, 13m wide, designed specifically for pole work. Plenty of barbel are present, and you’ll catch well on maggots.
Contact: 01347 833390
Hallcroft Fisheries, Retford, Notts
The huge Moat Pool is one of the largest commercial fishery lakes in the UK, offering an immense 190 pegs. You’ll find quality carp here, plus lots of silvers.
Contact: 01777 719911
Lakeside Leisure Fishery, Skegness, Lincs
It’s the location of this fishery that makes it special, as you’ll be within casting range of the sea! There are some big roach here, and a range of other species.
Contact: 01754 872631
Mousecroft Pool, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
This small, shallow, council-run water offers action, with lots of big bream and carp. It’s no more than 4ft deep, but full of slabs!
Contact: Total Angling, 01743 462699
Cross Drove Fishery, Thetford, Norfolk
You’ll struggle to find a more diverse day-ticket lake than this, with its 20 islands, bridges, narrow channels, and a whole host of trees, reeds and lily pads.
Contact: 07775 732982
Peatling Pools, Lutterworth, Leicestershire
The tiny Parva Pool doesn’t look much, but it’s full of surprises. Big perch, the odd barbel, a few carp, and plenty of skimmers are just some of its residents.
Contact: 0116 2867316
Decoy Lakes, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
On many commercials you’re fishing towards an island, but some lakes are ‘inside out’, where you fish from a central island. Lou’s Lake and Horseshoe at Decoy both offer this scenario.
Contact: 01733 202230
Dent’s Farm, Hilgay, Norfolk
Commercial fisheries aren’t always scenic, but on the Farm Shop Lake you’ll find a well-established, mature water, where crucians can be caught.
Contact: 07979 954354
Rood Ashton Lake, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
This scenic eight-acre estate lake is full of carp, and you can really bag up in a setting where more sleepy sport would be expected.
Contact: 07971 696057
Anglers Paradise, Beaworthy, Devon
The Tench Lake here is, amazingly, shaped like a tench! It’s packed with a wide range of tincas, including the golden and blue varieties.
Contact: 01409 221559