Cotswold Water Park Lake 32

Lake 32, also known as the Large Lake, sits off Spratsgate Lane at Shorncote, near Cirencester. At roughly 55 acres, it’s a proper Cotswold Water Park lump, managed through Cotswold Lakes Trust alongside Ashton Keynes Angling Club. Plenty of water to get your head around, then, so a bit of homework before chucking the gear in the motor will pay off.

• 1 lake: Lake 32 (the Large Lake)
• Fish: bream, tench, carp, pike, roach
• Find it: South Cerney · GL7 6DF

Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.

Lake 32, also known as the Large Lake, sits off Spratsgate Lane at Shorncote, near Cirencester. At roughly 55 acres, it’s a proper Cotswold Water Park lump, managed through Cotswold Lakes Trust alongside Ashton Keynes Angling Club. Plenty of water to get your head around, then, so a bit of homework before chucking the gear in the motor will pay off.

This isn’t a cheeky day-ticket session where you just turn up, pay your quid and pick a peg. Fishing is available through season-ticket membership, with the choice of two or three rods. Membership covers the Cotswold Lakes Trust and Ashton Keynes Angling Club waters, and you’ll also need an Environment Agency rod licence. It’s very much geared towards anglers looking for ongoing access rather than a one-off bash.

The angling membership is currently full, with numbers capped because of site capacity. Any places not renewed are offered to prospective members through an annual ballot. If you want to get in the hat, register your interest by emailing angling@cotswoldlakestrust.org before March 15. Successful applicants are notified in April. Worth getting that sorted early, as there’s no point loading the barrow before the paperwork is bob on.

The bream are a major attraction, with large numbers in the lake and an average of around 5lb according to the fishery information. When they’re on the munch, that points towards some cracking shoal fishing. Tench are abundant as well and can be caught in the margins, so don’t automatically overlook the close-in water. A quiet, careful approach down the edge could be well worth a look, especially when the lake is busy and the fish are feeling cautious.

Carp are present, although the estimated stock is about 50 fish, so this isn’t a bag-up carp water. The reported upper-thirties to low-forties potential gives them proper headline appeal, but patience and watercraft will be the name of the game. Pike fishing is described as largely untapped, while thriving roach shoals add another option. Before choosing a target, have a chat with the club or bailiff about current fish locations, permitted methods and the best way to tackle the water.

There are a few site wrinkles to plan around. Some areas are restricted because the lake is shared with leisure operators, and members must stick to the permitted fishing areas. The lake can also get busy with tourists and walkers during warm spring and summer months, so a quieter weekday or cooler spell may make for a more relaxed swim. Member parking is available in the anglers’ car park on Spratsgate Lane. Bring sensible tackle for changing conditions, check the access arrangements before setting up, and make sure you know exactly where you’re allowed to fish.

We're not sure on ticket prices here — we couldn't find reliable, up-to-date prices online, so give the fishery a ring or check their own site before you go.

Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.

Videos linked by the fishery

• Our read

  Checked Sept '26 — “Lake 32, or the Large Lake, is a sizeable 55-acre syndicate water near South Cerney, with plenty of bream, abundant tench, some serious carp and untapped pike potential. Angling membership is currently full, with future places offered by annual ballot.”

This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.