The number of venues holding zander in the UK is on the rise, as is their popularity among anglers looking for a different challenge in the colder months.
One of our main predatory species, zander are interesting creatures that grow to impressive sizes. They will readily take small fish baits, live and dead, and are a worthy target for lure fishing anglers too!
So, if you’ve never caught a zander, try one of these river stretches, canals or lakes to target this enigmatic predator...
RATHER CATCH A BIG PIKE INSTEAD? HERE ARE THE BEST VENUES TO VISIT TO CATCH ONE.
COOMBE POOL FISHERY, COOMBE ABBEY PARK, WARWICKSHIRE
This beautiful and mature 80-acre estate lake in the picturesque grounds of Coombe Abbey Park has produced big zander in the past, and recent catch reports have been encouraging. Small deadbaits are probably the best way to go, presented on low-resistance running rigs.
Day tickets are £8 (juniors £3), from the machine in the fishing car park, but no change is given, so be sure to take the correct amount.
More info: 02476 453720
SOUTH LAGOON, WYBOSTON LAKES, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
A 20-acre former gravel pit on the Wyboston Lakes complex close to St Neots, this is a venue with good disabled access, and there’s parking very close to the pegs. Large zander and pike are regularly caught here, and small deadbaits are the way to go. Day tickets cost £10 (dawn to dusk) from bailiffs on the bank.
More info: www.lutonanglingclub.co.uk
FRISBY LAKES FISHERY, MELTON MOWBRAY, LEICESTERSHIRE
A well-run 48-acre gravel pit that holds many coarse species including double-figure zander, pike nudging 30lb and perch to over 3lb. There are 50 well-spaced swims, and coarse deadbaits or lures will work equally well.
Day tickets are £10 for 12 hours, and £20 for 24 hours. Over-60s are half price, and under-16s can fish for free if accompanied by an adult.
More info: www.frisbylakesfishery.co.uk , 07495 632909
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GRAND UNION CANAL, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS
These nine miles of canal run by Milton Keynes AA hold some real surprises, even the odd big catfish! Lots of predators include good stocks of zander, which are best targeted with small to medium-sized lures. The stretches run from bridges 68-76 and 81-102, and among the best areas is Woughton on the Green to Fenny High Street (bridges 89-95A).
Day tickets cost £5 and can be purchased on the bank from bailiffs.
More info: www.mkaa.co.uk
A1 PITS, SOUTH MUSKHAM, NOTTIMGHAMSHIRE
This popular carp complex also has good fishing on the River Trent, just below Newark. Most visitors target the big barbel, but there are some hefty zander present too. There’s good car access along the whole stretch, and cheap day tickets are available on the bank. A small roach or lamprey deadbait presented on a running rig in the slacks is a great approach.
More info: 07970 209433
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RIVER TRENT EMBANKMENT, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Where there are silvers on the Trent, the zander are never far behind! It’s free fishing, and there are lots of bites to be had using small lures. The bend next to Wilford Suspension Bridge can be a productive area.
More info: Matchman Supplies, 0115 9140210
GLOUCESTER CANAL, HEMPSTED, GLOS
A hefty 16 miles to go at, between the docks at Bristol all the way up to Hempsted, subject to boat moorings and similar obstructions. Stay on the move to find the hotspots, or call Lobby’s Tackle for the latest information.
Day tickets are £4 on the bank, season tickets £26 from the tackle shop.
More info: Lobby’s Tackle, 01453 791417
RUTLAND WATER, RUTLAND & GRAFHAM WATER, HUNTS
These two vast Anglian Water owned and run reservoirs are true predator angling Meccas, such are the stocks of huge zander, pike and perch that they hold.
Day tickets cost £28, and that’s before you’ve shelled out to hire a boat for the day (£28 per boat, £18 for single occupancy).
What’s more, the predator fishing season on each venue closes in two weeks’ time (until September). But for sheer numbers of big zander, which have been taken to over 20lb from Grafham, these two waters have no equal. Oh, and the perch run to well over 5lb too!
More info: www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk
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WARWICKSHIRE AVON, STRATFORD-UPON-AVON
Targeting the Recreation Ground stretch running through the centre of town with a mobile lure fishing approach will produce lots of bites from zander, plus some big pike. It can be quite snaggy in places, but it’s cheap sport, with day tickets from controlling club Leamington AA costing just £4 on the bank.
Parking is available in the public pay and display by the river, or if you intend fishing towards Lucy’s Mill, you can park at the Greenways car park on Seven Meadows Road.
More info: www.leamingtonangling.co.uk
RIVER SEVERN, HOLDFAST, UPTON-ON-SEVERN
This stretch offers parking behind your peg, and has produced some truly huge zander over the past decade to upper double figures.
All methods will work, but try 12cm shads in various colours in areas of slacker water. It’s run by Malvern United Angling Association, which offers cheap annual books at £30 for adults and £25 for concessions.
Under-16s can fish for free.
More info: www.malvernanglers.com
RIVER NENE EMBANKMENT, PETERBOROUGH, CAMBS
Free fishing and a great area to target for short sessions, with some surprisingly good zeds present, including fish well into double figures. Try near the Grain Barge restaurant with paddletails or similar lure patterns.
More info: Angling Direct Peterborough, 01733 551053
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ASHBY CANAL, HINCKLEY, LEICESTERSHIRE
Now under the control of Tusses Angling Club, this stretch runs from bridge 1 at Marston Jabber through to bridge 19 at Hinckley. It has produced really big zander in the past, although, as with all canal stretches, a mobile lure fishing approach is by far the best way to seek out the best areas. Day tickets are £5 in advance online.
More info: Tusses Fishing Tackle, 07450 974366
UCKINGHALL POOL, WORCESTERSHIRE
A well-established pool run by one of the best-value clubs in the land, Birmingham AA. Depths range between 4ft and 8ft and there are 55 pegs from which to target the resident predators. Small coarse deadbaits are best tactic on this water, which is one of many in the huge BAA portfolio that hold zander. Full membership, which runs from Jan-Dec, is just £40, with seniors and juniors priced at £30 and £15 respectively.
More info: www.baa.uk.com
FERRY MEADOWS, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Although perhaps better known for its outstanding bream fishing, this two-lake venue in Peterborough with 120 numbered swims also holds loads of zander, with some pretty good ones present too!
Small coarse deadbaits work best, although lamprey sections are also worth a try.
Day tickets are £5 in advance from the website, £3 for seniors. Under-17s can fish for free.
Anybody found fishing without a booked ticket on the bank will be charged £10/£6.
More info: www.fishinginpeterborough.co.uk
OXFORD CANAL, COVENTRY, WARWICKSHIRE
A lengthy stretch of canal that extends for 18 miles from Hawkesbury Junction just north of Coventry, ending at Bridge 69 at Hillmorton locks in Rugby. As well as loads of silverfish, it holds good numbers of zander, with double figure fish a distinct possibility. There are also plenty of perch and pike present.
Day tickets cost £5 in advance online, or from Tusses Fishing Tackle, which is on the banks of the canal, and are valid for 24 hours. Annual membership costs £25.
More info: www.tussesangling.co.uk , 07450 974366
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