The summer holidays are here, the weather is about as good as it gets and that makes the coming month the best time of the year to take someone new fishing. But choosing the right venue is crucial.
When picking a spot to take someone fishing for the first time, you're obviously going to want somewhere with lots of fish, but facilities and surroundings are important too.
Here are 20 fantastic venues we think are great for kids, beginners and anyone looking to go fishing with the most basic methods...
LOCKWOOD BECK, GUISBOROUGH, N YORKSHIRE
This giant reservoir may look daunting at first glance, but it is a brilliant place to ignite a passion for the sport. No shortage of small roach and perch at very close range, and a light waggler or pole set-up will produce. Feed a couple of small balls of groundbait by hand to concentrate the fish and then loosefeed maggots over the top to maintain their interest.
Contact: 0345 1550236
FIND MORE BIG NATURAL WATERS LIKE LOCKWOOD IN THIS WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.
ALVECHURCH FISHERIES, BIRMINGHAM
Arrow is full of ide that feed aggressively at the height of summer. A finely-tuned pole or waggler rig is a great way to catch them. Fish to 1lb 8oz will dominate, while introducing maggots or casters little and often can spark a feeding frenzy. Expect to catch shallow, as the fish often compete in the top 12ins-18ins of water.
Contact: 07944 191915
BRADSHAW HALL FISHERIES, BOLTON, LANCS
Lake Three has been responsible for helping lots of anglers catch their first fish, as it holds a large head of roach, ide and skimmers. There are no obvious hotspots at this time of year, but maggots and pinkies at short range will keep the float going under. Use a short whip and a size 18 hook and it’ll be a bite-a-chuck from the word go.
Contact: 01204 307197
MERE LANE FISHERIES, RUFFORD, LANCS
Silvers Lake is a snake-style water that is packed with rudd, roach, skimmers and crucians. It has depths down to 4ft, and working with soft pellets or maggots will guarantee a mixed bag of fish. Concentrate on one line and feed a dozen freebies every time the rig goes in to help draw in a better stamp.
Contact: 01704 821269
FIND MORE FANTASTIC COMMERCIAL FISHING VENUES IN THIS WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.
ALDERS FARM, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS
The main lakes are all full of fish, but it is the minor pools that are arguably the best of the bunch
for juniors. Mylo’s, The Pump and Wood only have a handful of pegs, but here numbers of small carp can be caught on floatfished corn over a few handfuls of 4mm pellets.
Contact: 01525 261713
SHEARSBY VALLEY LAKES, LUTTERWORTH, LEICS
Sunset is a truly mixed lake where you have the chance of catching a dozen different species in a day. Fishing in the margins or just 5m out with maggots or soft pellets is the tactic, with F1s, carp, ide, barbel and bream just a few of the fish you’re likely to encounter. Feed with a small cup on the pole to reduce the noise when feeding.
Contact: 0116 247 8164
WHITE SPRINGS FISHERY, SWANSEA, SOUTH WALES
The Pleasure Lake has a big head of quality silverfish, with roach to well over 1lb, ide to 2lb and plenty of big skimmers. Maggots and worms offer you the best chance of catching them all, and fishing swims with minimal cover will get you away from the carp and allow the silvers to settle.
Contact: 01792 885699
LAKESIDE LEISURE, SKEGNESS, LINCS
Fishing a few metres from the edge of your platform will result in plenty of bites from roach, rudd and perch. Use the waggler, short pole or whip, and loosefeed maggots. It has a quirky location, as the North Sea is less than 100m from the bank. There is also a fairground and amusements to give the kids entertainment once your session finishes!
Contact: 01754 872631
FANCY STARTING CARP FISHING? HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.
FEN LAKES, METHERINGHAM, LINCS
Meg’s is a shallow lake with islands down the middle, and the ideal breeding ground for new talent. Small F1s, roach and crucians will dominate the action, although you will be kept on your toes with bonus carp that run to 5lb. Start on the deck at 6m before shallowing up if you’re plagued by liners or begin to foul-hook fish.
Contact: 07833 753392
TYLERS COMMON FISHERY, UPMINSTER, ESSEX
Ash and Willow Pools regularly produce 200lb-plus match weights and, if they are capable of that, they are certainly going to throw up that first-ever fish! Carp to 5lb are the main species, which respond to a small Method feeder loaded with micro pellets and a wafter hookbait. The pole at 8m with corn is bound to get bites too.
Contact: 01277 821342
BARBY BANKS FISHERY, NR RUGBY, NORTHANTS
The fishery is made up of two lakes. The Marshes is full of smaller fish that are always willing to feed. Small carp to 2lb, gudgeon, roach and skimmers will play ball all day long, and a soft 4mm expander hookbait presented over a bed of micros is a brilliant tactic. There’s no need to go too heavy, either, because a 0.12mm hooklength to a size 18 hook will be strong enough to deal with anything you’re likely to encounter.
Contact: 07854 442438
CATCH A MEGA WEIGHT OF FISH AT THE GREAT VENUES IN THIS WHERE TO FISH GUIDE.
TWIN LAKES FISHERY, BEDFORD, BEDS
Jack’s Lake is capable of yielding a superb mixed bag, with its chub being of interest to most anglers. They can easily tempted to feed close to the surface, with a banded 4mm pellet or double maggot both excellent hookbait choices on the pole or waggler. If you fancy trying to catch a bonus carp, chuck a waggler tight to the island and step up your terminal tackle accordingly.
Contact: 07384 44770
PIPEHILL FISHERIES, LICHFIELD, STAFFS
Alder Lake has a mixed stocking policy that is just as good for the newcomer as it is for a seasoned pro. Bites are possible from the off, with short pole and maggot an easy way to keep the float going under. Start off fishing on the bottom but be prepared to come shallow, as that is where the quality roach – of which there are plenty – can often be found.
Contact: 07976 528979
TODBER MANOR FISHERIES, STURMINSTER NEWTON, DORSET
Regarded by many as the nation’s premier bagging water, this is a complex packed to the rafters with carp. Ash and Home Ground will produce dozens of fish in the 3lb-8lb bracket and there’s no need to fish any more than a few metres out. Pellets, corn and maggots will all do the business.
Contact: 01258 820384
THORNEY LAKES, LANGPORT, SOMERSET
This stunning complex has all the hallmarks of an estate lake, and is the perfect place to take your child for their first session. You’ll be able to fish towards the many features for crucians, tench and bream, while the newcomer can use a 3m whip with maggots to catch a small rudd or roach on every drop-in.
Contact: 01458 250811
WANT TO GO CARP FISHING? WHY NOT VISIT ONE OF THESE FANTASTIC RUNS WATERS.
LAVENDER HALL, COVENTRY, WEST MIDLANDS
Brook is probably the least popular lake on site, but with so many fish stocked, it’s something of a mystery as to why this is. Small carp, F1s, bream, roach and rudd are all plentiful, and you could easily amass over 50lb of them in a few hours’ fishing. Fishing either the nearside margins or towards the central islands with maggots or pellets will work a treat.
Contact: 01676 530299
BITTERWELL LAKE, BRISTOL
This popular venue has a park lake venue feel to it and provides plenty of options. A Method feeder cast towards the features or into open water will keep carp and bigger bream coming, while short pole tactics will produce smaller silvers on maggot or pinkies.
Contact: 07717 131438
BIRCH HOUSE LAKES, ASHBOURNE, DERBYSHIRE
Kingfisher Lake is the first water that you’ll spot as you drive through the gates, and this is the ideal place to try with a newcomer. The small skimmers, which run to 2lb, and the hordes of roach, are constantly hungry. Maggots and casters can’t be beaten. Start at 5m, pushing out slightly if the action slows.
Contact: 07786 530389
REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR BUYER'S GUIDES TO ALL THE BEST FISHING KIT ON THE MARKET, INCLUDING RODS, REELS, CHAIRS, SEATBOXES, POLES AND MORE.
ORCHARD PLACE FARM, PADDOCK WOOD, KENT
Lakes Five and Six are packed with features, and fishing close to them will help you locate the carp and F1s in no time at all. Fish to low doubles are on the cards, with a small Method feeder and a mini boilie hookbait a good starting point. Alternatively, fish down the margins with the pole, feeding small quantities of corn, and use the same on the hook.
Contact: 01892 838576
OLD HOUGH FISHERY, MIDDLEWICH, CHESHIRE
Woody End can cater for up to a dozen anglers at a time, and is arguably the most scenic pool that the complex has to offer. Crucians, small tench and rudd will bring bites on maggots, the pole at 6m being the best bet. Or fish towards the aerators or a vacant peg with bigger hookbaits such as 6mm or 8mm pellets to try and find a big carp or two.
Contact: 07765 000857
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