Carp Fishing Near Me | Canal venues with big carp
If you like a challenge when you go fishing then there will be nothing better to you than going out to your local canal or river and trying some carp fishing. To help you in your pursuit of carpiness we’ve decided to put together a list of great canal venues where you are likely to catch a carp from.
North
Bridgewater Canal, Leigh, Lancs
This North-West canal holds its fair share of twenties. The basin at Mather Lane, Astley wide and the boats at Agden are known spots. The Kraft Arm controlled by Warrington AA is also a carp hotspot.
Contact: Leigh Tackle, 01942 604125
Prices: £2.50 a day on the bank, Leigh DAA, Kraft arm is £20 a year, Warrington AA
Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Bingley, W Yorks
Few anglers fish this stretch of canal and those who do are matchmen targeting the bream, meaning the big carp to over 20lb which are known to reside here are left untouched.
Contact: WH Kershaw, 01274 595574
Prices: £2.50 from WH Kershaw, Bingley AC
Rochdale Canal, Todmorden, W Yorks
The club hold regular matches here which see the odd big carp banked from time to time but few anglers actually target them making this a potential untapped carpy goldmine.
Contact: 01706 639373, Todmorden AS
Prices: £36 a year, Todmorden AS,
Sheffield Canal, Sheffield, S Yorks
The free ‘Plumpers’ stretch at Tinsley is one of the country’s best canal carp hotspots. Anglers here boast catches of up to six or seven fish per session on baits like pellet or corn on the Method or pole.
Contact: Billy Clarke Tackle, 0114 255 1145
Prices: Free fishing
Shropshire Union Canal, Chester, Cheshire
The L shaped basin and the section of cut running off it is full of carp to over 20lb, making it popular amongst local carpers.
Contact: Chester Tackle Locker 01244 345069
Prices: Part of the £20 a year Canal & Rivers Trust Waterway Wanderers Scheme
Trent & Mersey Canal, Northwich, Cheshire
Anderton Marina and the Saltesford Wide stretch are well worth a look as this area of canal can often produce multiple hits of fish in a session.
Contact: Northwich AA, 01270 662487
Prices: £5 a day from Vale Royal Angling, Northwich AA
MIDLANDS
Ashby Canal, Hinckley, Leics
Trinity Marina contains a big head of carp so fishing at the marina entrance (you are not permitted to fish within it) will provide you with the chance of enticing them out and banking fish to over 20lb.
Contact: JD Tackle Supplies 01455 633069
Prices: Part of the £20 a year Canal & River Trust Waterway Wanderers Scheme
Grand Union Canal, Northampton, Northants
The canal arm at Gayton Marina is worth a try for carp as the marina itself holds fish to nearly 30lb. These fish leave the sanctuary of the marina during periods of low light.
Contact: Northampton Nene AC, 01604 761173
Prices: £5 on the bank, Northampton Nene AC,
Shropshire Union Canal, Pendeford, W Mids
A match record of 107lb was taken here by an angler catching just 13 carp! Fish below the lock using baits like pellets and boilies and you shouldn’t go far wrong.
Contact: Ian’s Tackle, 01785 715744
Prices: £2.50 from Ians Tackle, Wolverhampton AA
Stratford Canal, Lowsonford, Warks
Renowned urban carp angler Alan Blair recently showed the capability of the carp fishing on the Stratford cut in his Urban Banx series of films catching high doubles and odd fish over 20lb.
Contact: Alcester Sports & Tackle 01789 762200
Prices: Part of the £20 a year Canal & River Trust Waterway Wanderers Scheme
Trent & Mersey Canal, Derby, Derbys
The Shardlow area has produced a fair few specimen carp in recent years. Carp up to 20lbs are frequently caught in the area below Swarkstone locks.
Contact: Fisher Mania, 01332 752500
Prices: £25 a year canal only ticket, Pride of Derby AA
SOUTH
Basingstoke Canal, Ash Vale, Hants
A carpy hotspot Ash Vale
Contact: The Creel Aldershot 01252 320871
Prices: £4 on the bank, Basingstoke Canal AA
Exeter Ship Canal, Exeter, Devon
The Lime Kilns section of canal and Turf Locks marina is not just a bream and tench water as carp to a staggering 40lb have been landed off the record.
Contact: Exeter Angling Centre 01392 435591
Prices: £5 from Exeter Angling Centre, Exeter AA
Grand Union Canal, Ivinghoe, Beds
The Luton Angling Club stretches are renowned for their excellent carp sport and they arent many better in the UK than the area around Ivinghoe boats.
Contact: Luton AC, 077044 62635
Prices: £5 on the bank, Luton AC
Grand Union Canal, Little Venice, London
Big carp hide amongst the moored boats here so the trick is to find a gap and feed tight to the barges. Big carp are also rumoured to exist on the canal around Camley Street Nature Reserve near Kings Cross.
Contact: First Tackle, 02084 557778
Prices: Part of the £20 a year Canal & River Trust Waterway Wanderers Scheme
Grand Union Canal, Marsworth, Herts
Another known carp hotspot on this waterway; the locks area at Marsworth holds some monster fish which can be stalked by fishing tight to features like boats or the locks themselves.
Contact: Tring Anglers, 077961 78313
Prices: £5 on the bank, Tring Anglers
Royal Military Canal, Hythe, Kent
A known big fish canal, the Ladies Walk area holds some huge fish to near 30lb. In the past they have been caught by imitating the bread which is fed to the ducks. Try a washed out white mainline cell boilie.
Contact: Cinque Ports AS, 01303 891450
Prices: £5 on the bank, Cinque Ports AS
Fishing Near Me | Best carp fishing winter venues
With winter fast approaching we have decided to put a list of some of the best carp fishing venues that perform really well in the colder months. As we all know winter carping can either be great or a massive waste of time so it’s best to head to a venue that you know will still produce carp even when the temperature drops to freezing.
BADEN HALL FISHERY, STAFFORD, STAFFS
The pleasure fishing only, Middle Pool offers 68 pegs of carp averaging around 12lb with the odd larger lumps. You can night fish this lake as well as surface fish it in the summer.
01785 850313, Postcode: ST21 6LG, https://www.badenhallfishery.com/index
BARSTON LAKES, SOLIHULL, W MIDS
Barston lake is renowned for its lumps with fish to well over 20lb. The water deepens underneath the electricity wires from around 7' to 15' so these can be good pegs in the cold if the fish are searching for some depth. Otherwise try catching on the drop, or in the margins.
01675 444890, Postcode: B92 0LB, http://www.barstonlakes.co.uk/
EAST DELPH LAKES, WHITTLESEY, CAMBS
These lakes have recently come under new ownership with much work and plenty of re-stockings taking place. At just under two acres the Front Lake is a well-stocked lake holding original carp to over 25lb.
07473 154208, Postcode: PE7 1RH, http://www.eastdelphlakes.com/
MAKINS FISHERY, NUNEATON, WARKS
Lake 1 on Phase One of the complex is another prime example of a match lake where the carp have outgrown their purpose. They average around 12lb but go to over 20lb. The gravel bars in between the islands are the hotspots.
01455 220877, Postcode: CV11 6QJ, http://makinsfishery.co.uk/
STANWICK LAKES, STANWICK, NORTHANTS
The 3 acre, 30 peg Swan Lake used to be a match venue but the carp have now grown on. The average size is between 8lb-16lb although mid-twenties have been caught and there is also a known thirty. There is a car park, conveniently located next to the lake, so you can drive right to it.
07974 300015, Postcode: NN9 6QZ, http://www.stanwicklakesfisheries.com/
TODBER MANOR FISHERIES, STURMINSTER NEWTON, DORSET
Little Hayes Lake is around 6 acres in size and stocked with approximately 700 carp ranging from 10-30lb. The lake boasts 15 gravel swims all of which produce carp catches all year round. Currently anglers are catching well using maggots.
01258 820 384, Postcode: DT10 1JB, https://todbermanor.co.uk/
Linear Fisheries, Witney, Oxon
Linear is one of the most visited venues within the country with anglers from far and wide travelling down to spend time on one of the seven available lakes. With carp going up to 50lb this is definitely one to visit this winter.
Contact: 07885 327708, www.linear-fisheries.co.uk, Postcode: OX29 7QF
Fenland Fisheries, Earith, Huntingdon PE28 3SA
This is a great venue for anyone who wants to catch their first twenty. Normally known for its summer surface fishing it has recently picked up some winter for and is well worth a visit.
Contact: 01487 841858 Website: http://www.fenlandfisheries.com/
Fishing Near Me | Best Carp fishing Surface Venues
When the Summer months arrive, one of the best ways to catch carp while fishing is by catching them off the surface. This doesn't mean that landing them is any easier though. To help you make your search fro the perfect water a little easier we've put together a list of great surface fishing venues for when you want to catch a carp off the top.
Alderfen Fisheries, Wroot, Lincs
Contact: 07759 936455, www.alderfenfisheries.co.uk, Postcode: DN9 2BG
Ashmoor Lakes, Newnham, Hampshire
Contact: 07941 165763, www.ashmoorlakes.com, Postcode: RG24 7AZ
Bowland Lakes Leisure Village, Preston, Lancs
Contact: 01524 791 637, Postcode: PR3 1BY
Drayton Reservoir, Daventry, Northants
Contact: 01908 302556, Postcode: NN11 0SG
Fields End Fishery, Doddington, Cambs
Contact: 01354 740199, www.fieldsendfishing.co.uk, Postcode: PE15 0TY
Furnace Lakes Fishery, Horsham, West Sussex
Contact: 01403 791163, www.furnace-lakes.co.uk, Postcode: RH13 0QZ
Linear Fisheries, Witney, Oxon
Contact: 07885 327708, www.linear-fisheries.co.uk, Postcode: OX29 7QF
Manor Farm Fishery, Biggleswade, Beds
Contact: 01767 317835 www.manorfarmfishing.com, Postcode: SG18 9BB
Mill Road Fishery, Norfolk
Contact: 07917 756015, www.millroadfishery.co.uk, Postcode: NR29 3EY
Nine Oaks Fishery, Llanarth, Ceredigion
Contact: 01545 580 482, www.nineoaks-fisheries.co.uk, Postcode: SA47 ORW
Fenland Fisheries, Earith, Huntingdon PE28 3SA
Contact: 01487 841858 Website: http://www.fenlandfisheries.com/
Fishing near me | Top 20 Carp Fishing Runs waters
There's nothing better than having a bend in your rod and a specimen carp on the end of it. If you’ve never caught a double-figure carp or have been struggling and just want to see your tip fly round then a visit to a carp runs water is a great remedy. There are literally thousands of them across the country including waters where the match carp have become too big and these can provide some superb sport. Angling Times has put together a list of the best day-ticket runs waters…
Alderwood Ponds, Steyning, West Sussex
Island Lake, as well as its huge perch to over 4lb is also full of carp which average around 11lb but top 20lb. Most of the them come out on boilies fished on bomb rigs.
01903 816377, Postcode: BN44 3AA, https://alderwoodponds.wordpress.com/
Baden Hall Fishery, Stafford, Staffs
The pleasure fishing only, Middle Pool offers 68 pegs of carp averaging around 12lb with the odd larger lumps. You can night fish this lake as well as surface fish it in the summer.
01785 850313, Postcode: ST21 6LG, https://www.badenhallfishery.com/index
Barston Lakes, Solihull, W Mids
Barston lake is renowned for its lumps with fish to well over 20lb. The water deepens underneath the electricity wires from around 7' to 15' so these can be good pegs in the cold if the fish are searching for some depth. Otherwise try catching on the drop, or in the margins.
01675 444890, Postcode: B92 0LB, http://www.barstonlakes.co.uk/
Bradshaw Hall Fisheries, Bolton Lancs
The 28-peg Lake Two is the carp hotspot at this multi-lake complex. It holds a good head of carp to 28lb and is kept aside from the match anglers as a specimen pool in itself.
01204 307197, Postcode: BL2 4JW, http://www.bradshawhallfisheries.co.uk/
Boddington & Drayton Reservoirs, Northants
Two of the original carp crunching waters run by the Canal & River Trust, both are still stuffed with commons and mirrors touching 10lb and plenty of them well into double-figures. Anglers often target them on the pole with strong rigs and elastics here.
01582 843454 or 01908 302556 (Drayton) Postcodes: NN11 6UD or Drayton: NN11 0SG
Cobbleacre Lakes, Hevingham, Norfolk
Adams Lake is another match venue which is full of doubles which are easy to catch. The lake is roughly 3 acres in size with depths ranging between 3ft – 7ft.
01603 754305, Postcode: NR10 5NL, http://www.cobbleacre.co.uk/
East Delph Lakes, Whittlesey, Cambs
These lakes have recently come under new ownership with much work and plenty of re-stockings taking place. At just under two acres the Front Lake is a well-stocked lake holding original carp to over 25lb.
07473 154208, Postcode: PE7 1RH, http://www.eastdelphlakes.com/
Llyn Y Gors Fishery, Anglesey, N Wales
Karpium Lake is the venues 1-acre runs water. It has seven swims containing around 400 fish to 30lb, including a good head of mid doubles. For bites try the Method feeder while boilies over particles are better for the bigger specimens.
01248 713410, Postcode: LL59 5PN, http://www.llynygors.co.uk/home.html
Longleat Fishery, Warminster, Wilts
The Top Lake, extending to some 7 acres, is a specialist carp fishery with 600+ ghost, common and mirror carp to over 30lb. The lake has a good head of twenties but with an average size of around 17-18lb. Day-tickets and night-tickets are available.
01985 844400, Postcode: BA12 7NW, https://www.longleat.co.uk/fishing
Makins Fishery, Nuneaton, Warks
Lake 1 on Phase One of the complex is another prime example of a match lake where the carp have outgrown their purpose. They average around 12lb but go to over 20lb. The gravel bars in between the islands are the hotspots.
01455 220877, Postcode: CV11 6QJ, http://makinsfishery.co.uk/
Manor Farm Leisure, Biggleswade, Beds
As well as holding game fish, the Damsel Lake also offers coarse anglers plenty of runs from carp even during the winter. They average around 8-10lb with some larger lumps to over 20lb. In winter the bailiff reckons anglers should try fishing zig rigs, maggot rings and focus on the margins.
01767 317835, Postcode: SG18 9BB, http://www.manorfarmleisure.co.uk/
Monk Lakes, Marden, Kent
The 10 acre Puma Lake is for pleasure specimen anglers only and holds a good head of carp to over 30lb. There are loads of features to target including three islands and gravel bars.
01622 833332, Postcode: TN12 9BS, https://www.monklakes.co.uk/
New Farm Fishery, Maidenhead, Berks
The Carp Lake has doubles in every peg and they are growing quick from 8lb to 40lb+ with carp ranging from commons, mirrors, grass and koi.
01628 789564, Postcode: SL6 3ST, http://www.newfarmfisheries.co.uk/
Pool Bridge Farm, York, N Yorks
The Carp Lake at Pool Bridge Farm is a runs water heavily stocked with carp weighing in the late singles to early doubles. It has permanent pegs which and the lake isn’t match fished meaning the fish are in pristine condition.
07928 359 420, Postcode: YO19 4SQ, https://www.poolbridge.co.uk/
Stafford Moor Fishery, Winkleigh, Devon
400 doubles make the Beatties Lake a real action water with lots of runs plus the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime to well over 30lb. With only 13 swims booking is essential.
01805 804360, Postcode: EX19 8PP, http://www.staffordmoor.co.uk/
Stanborough Lakes, Welwyn Garden City, Herts
Run by Welwyn Garden City Angling Club but available to fish on a day-ticket the 16-acre South Lake is a cracking carp water full of 20’s. Peg 5 and the Oak Tree swim opposite are the noted pegs for the biggest fish on here while pegs 1 to 4 are pole only, but have produced carp to 31lb.
07789 658056, Postcode: AL8 6DQ
Stanwick Lakes, Stanwick, Northants
The 3 acre, 30 peg Swan Lake used to be a match venue but the carp have now grown on. The average size is between 8lb-16lb although mid-twenties have been caught and there is also a known thirty. There is a car park, conveniently located next to the lake, so you can drive right to it.
07974 300015, Postcode: NN9 6QZ, http://www.stanwicklakesfisheries.com/
Thorpe Lea Fishery, Egham, Surrey
With a huge head of specimen carp, Thorpe Lea is arguably the best place in the country to bag your first 20lber. Adjacent to the M25, the lake was stocked with 2,500 carp 10 years ago and now boasts a huge head of upper doubles, 20s and even a few 30s.
07934 000559, Postcode: TW20 8PG, http://www.thorpeleafishery.co.uk/
Todber Manor Fisheries, Sturminster Newton, Dorset
Little Hayes Lake is around 6 acres in size and stocked with approximately 700 carp ranging from 10-30lb. The lake boasts 15 gravel swims all of which produce carp catches all year round. Currently anglers are catching well using maggots.
01258 820 384, Postcode: DT10 1JB, https://todbermanor.co.uk/
Tylers Common Fishery, Brentwood, Essex
The specimen Wagtail Lake offers a nice variation from the fishery’s match lakes. It is full of carp to over 30lb, 4 acres in size and has two islands. It varies in depth from two feet in the margins to five feet 7 metres from the bank. There are 38 pegs.
01277 821342, Postcode: RM14 1TS, http://www.tylerscommonfishery.co.uk/