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The best venues to catch your first 20lb carp

If you want to catch big carp, these are the venues you need to head to!

by Tony Grigorjevs |

Updated on18th February 2026 at 3.36pm

UK anglers are spoiled for choice when it comes to fantastic carp fishing lakes, but which are the best for those looking to bank their first fish over 20lb.

More day-ticket waters than ever before now hold carp of this size, but here are a selection of waters where a 'twenty' is more than a realistic possibility...

Linear Fisheries, Witney, Oxfordshire

You can't compile this list without including this incredible complex. Each of the seven day-ticket lakes hold fish well over the 20lb mark, with Brasenose One and Two among the best waters to head for. Spomb out a good hit of bait to start, then top it up after each bite with a pint or two more of your chosen loosefeed.

Contact: www.linear-fisheries.co.uk

Farlows Lake, Iver, Bucks

Head to the main lake for 25 acres of crystal clear water, home to some exceptionally good looking carp, of which many are over 20lb. The lake has a bit of everything, with something to suit any angler that visits, from catching under the rod tip, to casting tight to islands at range. There is also an Angling Direct on site if you need any bits or bait.

Contact: www.farlowslake.co.uk

Todber Manor Fisheries, Sturminster Newton, Dorset

There are plenty of lakes on site, but Big Hayes has at least 250 fish over the magical 20lb mark, with beds of hemp, corn and mini boilies likely to entice them into your swim.

Contact: www.todbermanor.co.uk

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Orchid Lakes, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxford

Orchid is also known as the 'Home of the Thirties', which probably tells you all you need to know about the stock of fish that reside here. They aren't just big fish either, as the lake boasts some exceptional carp which an angler would be proud to have in their album. The venue has great winter form too, so if you have never caught a 20, why not just bypass that and catch a 30 instead?

Contact: www.ol.areafish.com/

RH Fisheries, Shropshire

If you want to catch truly massive carp on a day ticket, the Monument Lakes on the RH complex is where you need to head! Monument One boasts one of the biggest day-ticket commons in the land, "The Kraken, a fish that has been caught over the 60lb barrier.

Contact: www.rhfisheries.com

The Kraken

Larford Lakes, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcs

The Specimen Lake is home to a good head of carp over 20lb and the Method feeder is a great way to catch them. Start by chucking it 30m, but prime the margins and drop in over the top with an hour of your session remaining. Try micro pellets around the frame with a bright wafter hookbait.

Contact: www.larfordlakes.co.uk

Sandhurst Lake, Yateley, Hampshire

One of the last remaining day ticket lakes on the Yateley complex, which is packed full of carp with over 70x30lb fish and multiple 40's at the right time of year. The lake can get busy, and you must book a swim before arriving. Some of the most consistent are the Pipes, Bailiff's, the island swims and swims 10 and 11. If you can get a bite here, it is almost guaranteed to be over 20lb.

Contact: www.sandhurstlake.co.uk

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Fisherwick Lakes, Lichfield, Staffs

Boilies fished over beds of pellets work well on the Specimen Lake, with a big head of 20lb-plus mirrors and commons present. Fish between 30 and 40 yards out, and avoid the deep areas that go down to around 20ft.

Contact: www.spanglefish.com/fisherwicklakes

Raker Lakes, York, North Yorkshire

Over a quarter of the carp in Kingfisher are over 20lb and they are often caught close to the islands. There are more than half a dozen such features and every swim has access to one. Try a low-lying pop-up with a PVA bag of freebies nicked onto the hook, or fishing over a loose scattering of boilies.

Contact: www.rakerlakes.co.uk

Wyreside Lakes, Lancaster, Lancs

Regarded as one of the best big carp venues in the region, Foxes Lake is where many locoals go to get their first 20lb specimen. Depths vary from 3-10ft, and there's a gravel bed running down the middle of the lake which also has silty pockets, so using pop-ups will ensure your hookbait won't be missed by cruising carp.

Contact: www.wyresidelakes.co.uk/fishing

Stafford Moor, Dolton, Devon

Beatties Lake is packed with features and pinning a bait close to them rarely fails. Boilies or small pop-ups are the best hookbaits. Prime two swims and hedge your bets by feeding one more aggressively while being slightly more conservative with the other.

Contact: www.charteroak.co.uk/general/fishing

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Bishops Bowl Fishery, Bishops Itchington, Warwickshire

Mitre Pool has produced carp to over 40lb in the past and is a solid bet to produce a 20lb-plus specimen or two. Fishing to the points of the two central islands will put you in with a chance of a few runs, as will dropping a bait just a few rod lengths out in any swim that has the wind blowing straight into it.

Contact: www.bishopsbowlfishery.com

Stanwick Lakes, Rushden, Northants

Get a run on Elsons Lake and the culprit is very likely to be above the target weight, with most resident fish being in the 20lb-35lb bracket. Mallard Lake will produce more bites, although you'll probably have to catch a few mid to high doubles before the bigger fish play ball.

Contact: www.stanwicklakesfisheries.com

Manor Farm Lakes, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

Becks Lake can cater for 32-anglers at a time and has depths ranging from 4-10ft. A good proportion of the fish are over 20lb and although they can be caught close to the island, the open water shouldn't be dismissed. Zig rigs can score well, especially over the deeper spots.

Contact: www.manorfarmlakes.com

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Bluebell Lakes, Peterborough, Cambs

There is a reason Bluebell is one of the most popular day-ticket carp fisheries in the country! There are several lakes on-site, all containing huge carp many of which have several fish over 40lbs to target. While they aren't often the easiest lake to fish, if you can trick some of the carp they contain, they are likely to smash your PB!

Contact: www.bluebell-lakes.co.uk

Bain Valley Fisheries, Tattershall Thorpe, Lincolnshire

Beaufighter is classed as the venue's 'runs water' and regularly produces fish in the 18-22lb bracket on boilies presented over crushed offerings and small pellets. The 10-acre Stirling is another solid bet to reach your goal, with mirrors and commons to 28lb lurking beneath the surface.

Contact: www.bainvalleyfisheries.co.uk

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