Tips for fishing at Ashby Farms

These tips are based on catch reports shared by our guests, some of whom have been fishing these waters for decades!

The Lakes

Two deep, clay-bottomed lakes. Plenty of weed and natural vegetation means there is a proper food chain. The fish are used to finding their own food. We don't regularly bait the water.

There's a good head of fish in both lakes; on the right day you can hear them splashing and see them rolling on the surface. In bright sunshine, polarised glasses will pick them out in the shallows.

The far lake (on the right as you face away from the car park) is where we tend to see the larger carp caught.

What's In There

• Carp — commons and mirrors. Most fish 15–25lb, plenty in the 20s. Biggest reported to us: 36lb.

• Tench — plentiful in both lakes. Widely ignored. Worth your attention.

• Perch — specimen fish in the lake furthest from the lodges: 5lb and over

• Roach and rudd — good on lighter gear, especially for families.

• Pike — a small number in both lakes. See below.

The fish are in good condition.

"Really pristine, with great colours."

That's what a low-stocked, natural lake produces.

These Lakes Aren't Easy

Experienced fish, used to foraging naturally. They're not competing for every bait that hits the water — they're selective about what they take.

The results are there when you get it right. A 34.6lb personal best from the lake by the lodges. Three fish — 17lb, 25lb, 28lb — in one session on tiger nut pop-ups. A family group catching around 60 carp across both lakes in a week. It fishes well when you approach it right.

Reading the Water

Watch before you cast. Rolling fish, surface movement, splashing: that's where to start. On a sunny day, polarised glasses will show fish cruising the shallows from the bank.

One guest's approach is a good example: heard fish crashing, moved swim, found a clear spot at around 7ft deep and set up there. Four fish to 25lb in three days. Location first, then bait.

What Works

Fish the margins

"Lots of people don't fish close in and they're the ones who say they don't catch anything." — regular guest

The carp patrol close to the bank, along weed lines and in the edges. A 19.5lb mirror came on a 12mm pop-up fished right in the edge. Three fish to 28lb — same story. Cast short before you cast long.

Mix your approach across rods

One rod on the margin, one on a particle bed, a float rod for the tench. Cover as many options as you can.

Night fishing

Available to all guests and worth considering. Some of the best catches here have come overnight — a 34.6lb personal best was an overnight session, with another guest landing his best fish of the stay at 3am. Bivvies are permitted and many guests set up for the full night on the bank.

Bait

Tiger nut pop-ups have produced more fish in our catch reports than anything else — 15mm for three fish to 28lb in one session, 12mm light brown in the edge for a 19.5lb mirror.

On selective fish, a washed-out or natural-coloured hookbait can outfish a bright one.

Particles work well as a bed — hemp and maize on the lakebed with a boilie over the top generates consistent feeding across a session.

PVA bags of pellets alongside the hookbait are another reliable option.

Don't overlook simple and natural baits. Bread, corn and maggots all catch here — these fish are used to natural food and respond to it. Corn on a float is the go-to for tench and will keep a session alive on a quiet carp day.

Note: groundbait is not permitted between June and September.

We post bait and method with every catch report on our Facebook page — worth checking before your stay.

Tench

Don't fish past them. Pete Gifford noticed it on his first visit: "Saw nobody else fishing for these, pity as some good fish and plentiful." One guest landed 20-plus tench to 5.5lb alongside his carp in a single session. Float and corn is all you need. They fight harder than you'd expect.

Perch

Light gear, drop-shot or small lure fished near features and snags gives you the best chance.

Pike

A small number of pike in both lakes. A 23lb fish has come out of the lake by the lodges. Carp fishing slows in winter; pike doesn't. Worth bringing gear if you're staying during October - March.

Beginners and Families

Float rod, corn or maggot, 10–15 feet out. Roach, rudd and smaller carp on simple tackle. Tench are a natural step up when you want something with more of a fight.

Fishing Rules

All fishing at Ashby Farms is governed by our fishing rules. Please read them before your stay. View fishing rules