The Lakes & Facilities
The lakes are stocked with hard fighting Rainbow and Brown trout, ranging from 1.5lbs to specimen size. 4lb to 8lb fish are regularly caught and released, and specimens over 10lb have been caught.
The lakes have a good diversity of aquatic life. Buzzers, Olives, Damsels and Dragonflies are numerous throughout the summer. A survey of the site in July 2010 revealed the presence of 11 species of dragon flies. Water voles are often seen along with many newts and toads. Bird watchers have reported seeing barn owls, short eared owl, kingfishers, little grebe, oyster catchers and even an osprey. Barnacle and Greylag geese nest on the site each year along with a variety of wild fowl, ducks and a pair of swans. In a summer survey 59 species of breeding birds were recorded.
Frog Hall Lake
The smallest of our lakes. It can be crystal clear with a small island accessible by a bridge. The lake is round in shape, and the western side is sheltered with mature trees. Water depth varies from shallow to 14'. There are deep gullies and underwater islands. A great starting point for your days fishing, it has good numbers of stock Rainbow trout with several Brown trout mixed in too. There is often a surface rise in evening to Buzzers, and early mornings will see larger trout patrolling the shallow margins. On brighter days deep water can be reached easily by fishing from the island swims or beneath the shade of the far bank alder trees. There is a limit of 3 fish to be caught on this lake in a day, even if released.
Old Hall Lake
Is larger, with two wildfowl islands, neither of which are accessible for fishing. The water is in excess of 2 acres. The deepest end is 14', and the entire lake is a mixture of deep gullies, shallows and underwater features with steep banks to provide habitat for our trout. The long Northern bank is mainly deep water, whilst the southern side is mainly shallow with a few deeper holes within casting range. Mature trees overlook the southern side, which is set amongst wild flower meadow. Old Hall Lake has a stock of Rainbow and large Brown trout. There is a limit of 3 fish to be caught on this lake in a day, even if released.
Crabtree Lake
This water is maturing nicely and provides opens margins for easy casting, set against mature trees on the northern bank. Stockies and over-wintered Rainbows and Browns give you a good chance of a specimen fish on the right day. Our chalky clay water produces long silver-sided Rainbows and stunning Browns with greenish coloured backs and golden brown spotted sides. On warm dull days the fish will move in close through the margin rushes and can be stalked on nymph or dry fly. Up to 3 stock rainbows can be taken on a ticket, and you can fish Catch n Release here after your limit has been met on the other lakes.
New Reservoir
The large newly constructed reservoir is closed to fishing.
Facilities
There is a cosy Fisherman's Hut with small log burning stove to shelter in, for wet weather and to warm cold fingers.
During the main fishing season of winter and through the spring there is seating, tea and coffee, and a microwave for warming food. There is a separate toilet suitable for the disabled.
Please note: the Fisherman's Hut will now be unavailable to anglers during the summer months of July to September as we are welcoming glamping visitors to our lakes. The fishery will now be closed Mid July to Mid October as the summer heat is making it impossible to provide consistent fishing when the fish are stressed.
