Fishery guide · Gloucestershire
Horseshoe Lake Lechlade
Horseshoe Lake Lechlade is a big 62-acre Cotswold gravel pit run by The Carp Society, with specimen carp to around 46lb plus proper tench, bream and winter pike. It’s a membership-led syndicate-style venue with hourly tickets available, but access needs sorting before you travel.
“8.0/10 — Specimen carp to approximately 46lb, plus big tench, bream and winter pike, give the venue serious fishing appeal.”
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The lowdown
Horseshoe Lake sits on Burford Road in Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire, at GL7 3QQ. It’s operated by The Carp Society and covers approximately 62 acres. A proper Cotswold gravel pit, it has two main arms to get your head around: Summer Bay and Winter Bay. That’s a fair bit of water, so arriving with a plan is well worth it rather than just chucking in and hoping for a cheeky lump.
- 2 lakes: Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay, Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay
- Fish: carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd
- Tickets from: Carp Society membership, 2025 — £30 per year
- Find it: Lechlade · GL7 3QQ
Plan your session
Fishery map of Horseshoe Lake Lechlade
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Photos courtesy of Photo: Horseshoe Lake Lechlade (official website). Catch dates not confirmed.
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The full rundown on Horseshoe Lake Lechlade
Horseshoe Lake sits on Burford Road in Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire, at GL7 3QQ. It’s operated by The Carp Society and covers approximately 62 acres. A proper Cotswold gravel pit, it has two main arms to get your head around: Summer Bay and Winter Bay. That’s a fair bit of water, so arriving with a plan is well worth it rather than just chucking in and hoping for a cheeky lump.
Summer Bay averages about 4ft, while Winter Bay is around 11ft. Two very different depths, then, and plenty to think about when choosing a swim and setting up. On a new venue, take a little time to watch the water, check the margins and look for signs of fish before committing the rods. Have a word with the lodge or bailiff about recent activity, preferred areas and any current restrictions. Bob on advice can save a lot of faff.
The main draw is the carp. Fish have been recorded to approximately 46lb, and the official site describes many carp in the high twenties and over 30lb. So there are some proper lumps in Horseshoe Lake. Bring kit that’s up to the job, including strong unhooking and weighing gear, a big landing net and a suitable padded unhooking mat with rigid sides for large fish. Any carp over 30lb must be photographed and reported, while captures over 35lb require the fishery contact to be called for photographs. Fish over 40lb need weight verification.
There’s plenty for the general coarse angler too. Tench are commonly reported in the 6lb–9lb range, with fish over 12lb reported. Bream over 14lb have been reported, while roach and rudd have reached approximately 3lb and perch have been reported to about 4lb. Pike are available during the winter season, stated as 1 November to 1 March. Whatever you’re targeting, take sensible tackle for the species, return every fish promptly and check the current rules before fishing.
You’ll need valid Carp Society membership to fish. The 2025 permit form shows membership at £30 per year. Fishing tickets cost £1.25 per hour for two rods, with a six-hour minimum and flexible lengths of 6, 10, 24, 36 and 48 hours. Tickets are bought at the lodge or onsite tackle shop. Day-ticket anglers must arrive during shop opening hours, and Sunday arrivals aren’t accepted. The full annual permit shown for 2025 is £650, or £500 for the weekday-only option.
There are toilets, showers and an onsite tackle shop, with catering facilities at the lodge for events. Access is through an intercom, and anglers must report to the lodge on arrival. Seasonal closures, spawning closures and events can affect access, while group bookings and lake closures are listed through The Carp Society. Check the latest contact and events information before travelling, pack for a proper session, and make sure your rod licence is sorted as well.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Horseshoe Lake Lechlade FAQs
Where is Horseshoe Lake Lechlade?
Burford Road, Lechlade, GL7 3QQ, in Lechlade-on-Thames, Gloucestershire.
How are fishing tickets bought?
At the lodge or onsite tackle shop. The minimum purchase is 6 hours, with 6, 10, 24, 36 and 48-hour options.
What are the main target fish?
Specimen carp are the headline, with tench, bream, roach, rudd, perch and winter pike also available.
What should anglers check before travelling?
Check current contact and events information, plus shop hours, seasonal closures, spawning closures and any listed lake closures.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
There's onsite tackle shop at the lodge on site, so you can grab bits on the day. For anything bigger, stock up before you leave home — or order online in advance.
Do I need to bring food?
We haven't seen any food on site, so bring your own grub and drinks. A flask and a stove (where allowed) make a long day much better.
Are there toilets on site?
Yes — the fishery lists toilets and showers onsite.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off. Bring a barrow in case it's a walk.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
GL7 3QQ.
How much is a ticket?
Carp Society membership, 2025: £30 per year; Fishing ticket: £1.25 per hour for two rods; Minimum fishing-ticket purchase: 6 hours; Full annual permit, 2025: £650; Weekday-only annual permit, 2025: £500. Prices last checked 2026-10-12 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Horseshoe Lake Lechlade isn't day-ticket water — Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay, Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay are members or syndicate only.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
2 — Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay (Part of the approximately 62-acre lake), Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay (Part of the approximately 62-acre lake).
Is night fishing allowed?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Can I bring my dog?
Not covered in the rules we've checked. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Are bait boats allowed?
We haven't seen a bait-boat rule listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need barbless hooks?
Yes, it's required — Anglers must use a suitable padded unhooking mat with rigid sides for large fish.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Yes, it's required — Anglers must use a suitable padded unhooking mat with rigid sides for large fish.
Is it suitable for disabled anglers?
We haven't seen disabled access listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need a rod licence?
Yes — anyone 13 or over fishing in England and Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence (or Natural Resources Wales in Wales), on top of your fishery ticket.
When's the best time of year to fish here?
Late spring through autumn is prime for most species. Check our live weather edge for this venue before you go — it updates daily.
Anglers' photos
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Syndicate · invite only
Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay: the shallower arm, averaging about 4ft, with specimen carp and a broad mix of coarse fish.
- Size
- Part of the approximately 62-acre lake acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd
Summer Bay is the shallow main arm of Horseshoe Lake, averaging about 4ft. That should make it the arm to keep in mind when the water warms and fish push into the shallows.
The carp are the big draw, but tench, bream, roach, rudd and perch are also present. Pike are available here during the stated winter season of 1 November to 1 March.
The official site describes many carp in the high twenties and over 30lb; carp have been recorded to approximately 46lb.
Lake photographs
A look around Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay
Horseshoe Lake Lechlade
Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay
We’re checking the fishery’s Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Carp anglers looking for big-fish water with shallow margins to explore
- Anglers who enjoy changing tactics as the water warms
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting a straightforward day-ticket arrival without checking membership, shop hours and closures first
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay FAQs
How deep is Summer Bay?
It averages about 4 feet deep.
What fish are in Summer Bay?
Carp, tench, bream, roach, rudd, perch and seasonal pike are listed for Horseshoe Lake.
What's the lake record on Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay?
Going by what the fishery says: The official site describes many carp in the high twenties and over 30lb; carp have been recorded to approximately 46lb. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay?
carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd. The official site describes many carp in the high twenties and over 30lb; carp have been recorded to approximately 46lb.
How big is Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay and how many swims?
Around Part of the approximately 62-acre lake acres. The shallower arm, averaging about 4ft, with specimen carp and a broad mix of coarse fish..
Which baits work well on Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Horseshoe Lake Lechlade before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay on a day ticket?
No — Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay is syndicate or members only, so you'll need to sort a ticket direct with the fishery.
Is night fishing allowed on Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay suit?
Good for: Carp anglers looking for big-fish water with shallow margins to explore; Anglers who enjoy changing tactics as the water warms. Less suited to: Anyone wanting a straightforward day-ticket arrival without checking membership, shop hours and closures first.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Syndicate · invite only
Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay: the deeper arm, averaging about 11ft, offering more stable water when conditions turn wintry.
- Size
- Part of the approximately 62-acre lake acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd
Winter Bay averages about 11ft, making it the deeper of the two named arms. That extra depth is worth bearing in mind when colder weather pushes fish away from the edges.
It holds the same headline Horseshoe Lake mix, including specimen carp, big tench and bream, plus winter pike from 1 November to 1 March.
The official site describes many carp in the high twenties and over 30lb; carp have been recorded to approximately 46lb.
Lake photographs
A look around Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay
Horseshoe Lake Lechlade
Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay
We’re checking the fishery’s Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Anglers who like working deeper water and changing conditions
- Specimen hunters targeting carp, tench or bream
Maybe not for
- Day-ticket anglers arriving outside the published shop hours or during a closure
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
bream
Waggler and groundbait for bream
If they're within waggler range, float fishing over balls of groundbait is a great way to pick off bream.
- Ball in groundbait with casters and chopped worm at the start.
- Set the float a touch over-depth and watch for slow lifts.
- Top up when bites slow.
Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay FAQs
How deep is Winter Bay?
It averages about 11 feet deep.
Can you fish for pike in Winter Bay?
Pike are available during the winter season, stated as 1 November to 1 March.
What's the lake record on Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay?
Going by what the fishery says: The official site describes many carp in the high twenties and over 30lb; carp have been recorded to approximately 46lb. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay?
carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd. The official site describes many carp in the high twenties and over 30lb; carp have been recorded to approximately 46lb.
How big is Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay and how many swims?
Around Part of the approximately 62-acre lake acres. The deeper arm, averaging about 11ft, offering more stable water when conditions turn wintry..
Which baits work well on Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Horseshoe Lake Lechlade before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay on a day ticket?
No — Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay is syndicate or members only, so you'll need to sort a ticket direct with the fishery.
Is night fishing allowed on Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay suit?
Good for: Anglers who like working deeper water and changing conditions; Specimen hunters targeting carp, tench or bream. Less suited to: Day-ticket anglers arriving outside the published shop hours or during a closure.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Venue Rule Checker
- Must
Is Carp Society membership required?
All anglers must hold valid Carp Society membership; the 2025 membership price shown is £30 per year.
- Must
Is a rod licence required?
A rod licence is additionally required under English fishing regulations.
- Must
Must fish be returned?
All fish must be returned to the lake promptly.
- Must
Is a rigid-sided unhooking mat required?
Anglers must use a suitable padded unhooking mat with rigid sides for large fish.
- Must
Do captures over 30lb need reporting?
Carp over 30lb must be photographed and reported; captures over 35lb require the fishery contact to be called for photographs, and captures over 40lb require weight verification.
- No
Can day-ticket anglers arrive on Sundays?
Day-ticket arrivals are not accepted on Sundays; winter Saturday and Sunday day-ticket arrivals are closed too.
- Seasonal
Can access be affected by closures or events?
Seasonal closures, spawning closures and events can affect access. Group bookings and lake closures are listed through The Carp Society.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 12 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Rules and prices change through the season. Follow and we'll flag changes the fishery or other anglers report.
Tips & guides worth reading
How we'd fish each lake
Our own suggestions, worked out from each lake's features, its main fish and the venue rules. They're tried-and-tested methods, not reports from this venue, so watch the water and ask in the tackle shop on the day.
Horseshoe Lake — Summer Bay
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
tench
Lift method float for tench
Tench feed with their heads down and tip baits up — the lift method shows that bite as the float rising and lying flat.
- Fish the margin at dawn with a straight waggler, locked by a single big shot 2–3in from the hook.
- Rake or lightly bait the swim with hemp, corn and maggot.
- Strike when the float lifts or lies flat. Bread, corn or worm on a size 12–14.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
Horseshoe Lake — Winter Bay
carp
Chod or helicopter style over soft weed and silt
Where the bottom drops in and out of holes or there might be soft silt or weed, a pop-up that slides up the leader sits over the muck instead of disappearing into it — no need to find a perfectly clean spot.
- Single pop-up, 2–3in off the bottom.
- Fish it as a single hookbait or with a light scattering of freebies — a big bed defeats the point.
- Cast to likely holes and let the lead settle; don't drag it back.
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
bream
Waggler and groundbait for bream
If they're within waggler range, float fishing over balls of groundbait is a great way to pick off bream.
- Ball in groundbait with casters and chopped worm at the start.
- Set the float a touch over-depth and watch for slow lifts.
- Top up when bites slow.
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
What anglers reckon
8.0/10 from Tackle Index: Specimen carp to approximately 46lb, plus big tench, bream and winter pike, give the venue serious fishing appeal.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “Horseshoe Lake Lechlade is a big 62-acre Cotswold gravel pit run by The Carp Society, with specimen carp to around 46lb plus proper tench, bream and winter pike. It’s a membership-led syndicate-style venue with hourly tickets available, but access needs sorting before you travel.”
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.
Angler score
What our readers rate Horseshoe Lake Lechlade
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