Here's our lake and swim map, plus tactics guide, to Nottinghamshire carp-fishing venue Cromwell Lake...
Cromwell Lake, Cromwell, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG23 6JE | Web: www.cromwelllake.com | Tel: 07816 243023
We say...
Once a well-stocked trout water, Cromwell is now a mature carp venue, immaculately kept with great facilities.
There are 18 swims all with roughly an acre of water each, and the features are varied. Like a typical gravel pit there are shallows, deeps, bars, plateau and thick weed in places.
It's not the easiest water around and can be moody, but the head of big fish is well worth the effort. There are roughly 230-250 carp present, with about 50 thirties and half a dozen forties depending on the time of year.
There are also about 20 large catfish present!
Venue expert Matt Rhodes says...
"There are over 50 thirties in here so you're never too far away from the fish. Always check the margins, they can be deep and some areas can hold a lot of carp.
"If the fish can't be found in the margins then I'd usually approach the main body of the lake. There are plenty of fish-holding zones and these can be found near to the boundaries of each swim.
"Most day-ticket tactics will catch you fish on Cromwell, but I've found small popped-up baits to be the most prolific. When the weed is up, finding and fishing clear areas in and around the heavily vegetated areas will always up your chances.
"Over the years a fluorescent yellow hookbait has always out fished any other colour."
1 of 4A 38 for Matt Rhodes
2 of 4A view across Cromwell
3 of 4A pretty Cromwell mid-thirty
4 of 4Rosie at 44lb
PRICES AND FACILITIES
£30 for 24 hours (three rods max)
Nets, slings and mats provided
On-site tackle and bait shop
Showers and toilets
Anglers' lodge with kitchen
RULES
Barbless or micro-barbed hooks (size 4 max)
Minimum 10lb mainline (no braided mainline)
No shockleaders
No nuts (all particles must be seen by bailiff)
No shelf-life boilies as loosefeed
Leaders of 36ins maximum