Day ticket angling is more popular than ever and with good reason as we ask our main man Wayne Box to compile a list of the best day ticket carp lakes in England....... Blimey, talk about an impossible task there are hundreds of day ticket carp lakes in England! Luckily, the last few years have seen me take a bit of tour around the country, visiting day ticket lakes and trying some different venues, so I think I am well versed in what the country has to offer. Let's start on our doorstep with the fantastic Berners Hall Fishery.
Berners Hall Fishery
Situated in Essex just a stones throw from Total Fishing Tackle HQ, Berners Hall Fishery really does have something for everyone. There are three lakes on site providing sport for beginners right through to seasoned carp anglers looking for a personal best. The Res has 24 designated swims spaced out across 24 acres of water. The depth of water does vary throughout the year but generally, the deepest points are approx. 10-12 feet with a clay-based bottom. The carp get caught on a wide range of tactics; bottom baits, pop-ups, zigs and surface fishing at short, medium and long-ranges all depending on conditions, swims, weed beds and the time of year. The Res has been carefully stocked with over 600 hand-selected carp & 20 catfish from some of the UK’s best-known fish dealers, some of which we have been growing on in our stock lakes since 2006.
This has ensured there is a good cross-section of all strains of carp including the original fisher pond mirrors, clean commons, heavily scaled mirrors, fully plated and linear’s. With fish in the Res to over 50lb, 30+ numerous 40lb carp present and a huge stack of 30's and 20's that will keep you busy if you get the tactics right.
Sheltered between the reservoir and the River Roding within stunning countryside is Meadow Lake. The lake was purposely designed and stocked with carp anglers in mind. It has a range of underwater features and an island so there are plenty of good fishing areas other than the margins. The lake has been stocked with the same strains of carp as ‘The Res’ to sizes 30lb+ with a good head of 20’s and doubles. It has 5 purpose-built wood chipped swims socially positioned along one bank with plenty of water, features and opposite bank fishing available.
Poultons Lake is also sheltered by the Reservoir and the River Roding, directly next to Meadow Lake. It is the smallest of the 3 lakes at 1 acre in size. Consisting of a range of depths with many man-made underwater features to find. It has 3 good-sized wood-chipped swims to fish from and is very sheltered from the elements. The lake has been stocked with 50 carp to 30lb+ with a good head of 20’s and clean doubles to also target. It offers a closer range fishing experience to the other lakes and is great for intimate stalking, floater fishing etc. With only 3 swims this lake makes it ideal for individuals or small groups. Car parking is also conveniently close to this lake which makes unloading for a session a breeze.
Pre-booking is strongly advised, and is done via Catch. Berners Hall really does offer superb carp fishing and is a great opener of our list of the Best Carp Lakes in England.
Linear Fisheries
Next on our list of the best day ticket carp lakes is one of the most well known day ticket venues in the country and with 9 different lakes there is something to suit all abilities. If it's runs you are after then you need to be heading to either Brasenose one, Brasenose two or Hardwick/Smiths. if it's the chance of a big fish then you need to be heading to Manor Farm or St Johns and finally for a bit of both there is Oxlease lake and Hunts Corner. Not forgetting the coarse fishing lake Hunts Corner Pond and the beginner carp lake called the One Summer Pond. Situated just outside Witney in Oxfordshire the lakes are easy to get to and spotlessly clean, just be warned that in the summer and at weekends it can be ridiculously busy.Tactics at Linear vary massively depending on the lake being fished but as a rule of thumb I have caught well on St Johns on solid PVA bags, on B1, B2 and Hardwick Smiths I would be looking to introduce a bit of bait or fish solid bags at long range to the middle. Manor is a bit trickier and fish get caught on lots of different methods and baits so stick to what you know best. One tip I will give you is to always have your zig fishing kit with you, just a Tupperware box or tackle box with some zig tying stuff, some zig alignas etc. as when not a lot else is working, particularly in the summer, zigs can be a real difference maker.
Sandhurst Lake
Sandhurst sits on the famous Yateley complex, never heard of it? Well, the Yateley complex is world renowned for its famous carp and the well know anglers that have trodden the banks in pursuit of the fish that reside in these picturesque lakes. Situated on the eastern side of the Yateley complex you’ll find Sandhurst lake, this beautiful gravel pit is steeped in carp fishing history and holds the fantastic reputation of producing some of the best carp angling in the UK. You’ll find the lake nestled amongst mature wooded banks with private purpose built swims offering protection from the elements, and each with its own aesthetically pleasing outlook onto the lake. The lake is 14 acres in size and is relatively shallow with depths ranging from 2 to 10ft with an average depth of 5ft.
There is one island from which fishing is permitted, and numerous gravel bars and features that can be easily located from a choice of 31 swims. Very few day ticket waters give you the chance of a 40lb + carp but the Sandhurst venue record currently stands at 45lb with at least 10 other fish breaking the magical 40 barrier. It’s no surprise that Yateley Sandhurst has been attracting anglers from across the country for many years and will no doubt continue to do so for years to come. The rules are very specific on Sandhurst so make sure you are up to speed when planning your assault, the main one to be careful of is the bait restrictions, only boilie and pellet can be used and the boilies must be frozen and not shelf life, zig rigs are banned also.
Elphicks Fishery
Situated in Kent, Elphicks is a multi lake fishery and home to some very large carp indeed, with at least 3 of the lakes offering the chance to fish for 50lb carp and I think 4 of them offering 40lb plus carp! The North Lake is the largest at just over 6 acres and with only 10 anglers permitted there is always plenty of room, this is the first lake you come to and is home to carp well over 50lb with numerous 40's and lots of 30's, the fishing is not easy but they are there to be caught. The other two big fish waters are Pullens Lake and West End Lake, both contain numerous 50lb carp and loads of 40's too, small but with lots of room for everyone the fishing can be tricky but the average size has to be well over 30lb! If it's runs you want then you are well catered for as well, you need to be heading for Kettles, Sandwich or Plantation lakes but they still contain numerous carp over 30lb. The Fishery Lodge carries drinks, snacks and sweets as well as being well stocked with a range of the latest bait and terminal tackle including products from: Solar, Dynamite Baits, and many more.Ladies, Gents and Disabled toilet facilities are provided within the Lodge building and are open from 7am daily until closing time. There is also a shower for our overnight guests (toiletries/towels are not provided). Portable toilets serve every lake out of hours for your convenience, these are professionally cleaned weekly. If it is a PB you want then Elphicks could certainly give you a good chance of beating yours!
Cromwell Lake
Heading North now and we are to Cromwell Lake. Cromwell is a beautiful 18 acre spring fed, tree lined specimen lake, set in peaceful surroundings just of the A1 in Newark. The Lake has many features and varies in depths between 3ft and 18ft, with prominent gravel bars, silty areas and drop off’s, there are various types of weed in the warmer months, but every peg is fishable and this contributes to the size and health of our fish by supplying a rich natural food source. The lake is surrounded by beautiful willow, beech, magnolia, scotts pine, and cherry trees, a haven for wildlife. This wealth of biodiversity provides us with a healthy eco system and a perfect habitat for our carp to flourish. The lake currently holds several 40’s and 40 plus 30’s, we also have a yearly stocking plan in place, no expense is spared as all of our fish are hand picked and purchased from premier fish farmers.A booking system in now in place to guarantee you one of our 18 spacious swims which are equipped with all your landing equipment, there’s also several barrows which are free to use in case you are without. The anglers lodge is open 24 hours a day, in here you’ll find clean toilets, showers, charging points, wifi, a dining area, microwave, fridge/freezer, sink and various kitchen utensils, we also offer free cups of tea and coffee. The lodge is covered by cctv along with the car park. There are 18 pegs and 18 anglers are allowed to fish so everyone does get a bit of water to themselves. With such a large head of 40lb and 30lb carp present Cromwell poses a formidable opponent for any experienced carp angler!
So there we have it a list of some of the best day ticket carp lakes in England, there are of course many others but I only have room for a handful. Get out there and give them a go!