Fishery guide · Nottinghamshire
Willow Lakes Fishery
Willow Lakes Fishery is a long-established, 13.5-acre commercial venue near Foston, with pleasure lakes, match waters and more than 160 pegs. The day-ticket fishing is centred on Poplar, Willow and Sycamore, with carp and a decent spread of coarse species.
“8.3/10 — Three pleasure lakes offer carp and a broad coarse mix, with match waters adding extra choice for organised fishing.”
Tackle Index scorecard
Free — we'll tell you when rules, prices or notices change here.
The lowdown
Willow Lakes Fishery sits at Willow Lodge, Newark Hill/Newark Road, Foston, handy for both Grantham and Newark-on-Trent. It’s a proper established setup, running since the 1980s, with fishing, holiday accommodation and caravan pitches all on site.
- 6 lakes: Poplar Lake, Willow Lake, Sycamore Lake, Ash Lake, Chestnut Lake, Hawthorn Lake
- Fish: carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, chub, crucian, rudd
- Tickets from: Adult Poplar day ticket — one rod — £10
- Find it: Newark-on-Trent · NG32 2LF
Plan your session
Fishery map of Willow Lakes Fishery
Pick a pin or venue to see live bank-side conditions.
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
Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Fishery
Willow Lakes Fishery
We haven’t got permission to show venue photos here yet. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Willow Lakes Fishery
Willow Lakes Fishery sits at Willow Lodge, Newark Hill/Newark Road, Foston, handy for both Grantham and Newark-on-Trent. It’s a proper established setup, running since the 1980s, with fishing, holiday accommodation and caravan pitches all on site.
The complex covers about 13.5 acres and has seven fishing lakes, plus two stock ponds. There are more than 160 pegs across the lakes, so there’s a fair bit of water to go at. No need to faff around booking for the pleasure lakes either — day tickets are normally bought from the machine in the car park.
Poplar is the general coarse lake and is available all year. It has a broad mix of silver fish, skimmer bream, roach, chub, tench, perch and crucians, along with carp from smaller fish through doubles and some twenties. That gives you plenty of options, whether you fancy a mixed bag or want to nick out a carp.
Willow is the main pleasure lake and the more intimate option. It’s around 0.8 acres, with 21 pegs, four islands and two peninsulas. The average depth is about 4ft, and the carp — commons, mirrors and ghosts — run from roughly 1lb to 14lb, averaging around 4lb to 8lb. Tench, roach, rudd, skimmers, chub and crucians add plenty of interest.
Sycamore has 19 pegs and depths around 3ft to 6ft. It holds common, mirror and ghost carp, plus skimmer bream, tench, chub, rudd, perch, roach and crucians. Most of the fish are under 2lb, with some larger ones present, so it looks well suited to lighter tackle and keeping bites coming.
Ash, Chestnut and Hawthorn make up the match-fishing complex. Ash has around 24–25 pegs and two islands, Chestnut around 25 pegs and four central islands, while Hawthorn has about 30 pegs, several islands and two peninsulas. These waters are available for club and open-match bookings rather than ordinary pleasure day tickets.
Fishing runs from 6:00am until dusk, with no night fishing. Barbless hooks are required, all fish must go straight back, and keepnets are only allowed during organised matches. Disabled-friendly pegs are available on all lakes, with car parking and toilets on site. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is needed.
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.
Willow Lakes Fishery FAQs
Where is Willow Lakes Fishery?
It is at Willow Lodge, Newark Hill/Newark Road, Foston, near Grantham and Newark-on-Trent.
How do I buy a day ticket?
Day tickets are bought from the machine in the car park before fishing. The machine requires coins.
What are the fishing times?
Fishing is allowed from 6:00am until dusk. Night fishing is not permitted.
How can I contact the fishery?
Call the fishery or visit willowlakesfishery.co.uk.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Willow Lakes Fishery. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Newark-on-Trent.
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.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
Yes — car parking. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
NG32 2LF.
How much is a ticket?
Adult Poplar day ticket — one rod: £10; Adult Poplar day ticket — two rods: £15; Willow or Sycamore adult day ticket: £7; Willow or Sycamore concession day ticket: £6; Willow or Sycamore junior day ticket: £4. Prices last checked 2026-10-10 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Day tickets are available on Poplar Lake, Willow Lake, Sycamore Lake. Busy weekends can fill up, so ring ahead if you've got your heart set on a swim.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, chub, crucian, rudd. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
6 — Poplar Lake (Not published), Willow Lake (Approximately 0.8 acres), Sycamore Lake (Not published), Ash Lake (Not published), Chestnut Lake (Not published), Hawthorn Lake (Not published).
Is night fishing allowed?
No — Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
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 — Barbless hooks are required.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.
Is it suitable for disabled anglers?
The fishery lists disabled-friendly pegs on all lakes. Ring ahead to check which swims suit you.
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
Been to Willow Lakes Fishery? Share a snap
No angler photos yet. Be the first!
Day ticket · turn up
Poplar Lake: a year-round general coarse lake with silver fish, mixed species and carp to bigger sizes.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, chub, crucian
Poplar is the all-year general coarse water at Willow Lakes. It contains silver fish, skimmer bream, roach, chub, tench, perch and crucians, so there’s plenty to keep the float or feeder moving.
Carp are in the mix too, from various sizes up to doubles and some twenties. That makes it a flexible day-ticket lake — build a mixed bag or gear up a touch for a cheeky lump.
Poplar contains carp of various sizes, including doubles and some twenties.
Lake photographs
A look around Poplar Lake
Willow Lakes Fishery
Poplar Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Poplar Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Anglers after a mixed coarse bag
- Those wanting a chance of larger carp as well as silver fish
Maybe not for
- Anglers specifically after small, intimate carp-lake fishing
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Poplar Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
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
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.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
Poplar Lake FAQs
Is Poplar available all year?
Yes. Poplar is available for fishing all year.
What ticket do I need for Poplar?
The adult day ticket is £10 for one rod or £15 for two rods.
What's the lake record on Poplar Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: Poplar contains carp of various sizes, including doubles and some twenties. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Poplar Lake?
carp, tench, bream, roach, perch, chub, crucian. Poplar contains carp of various sizes, including doubles and some twenties.
How big is Poplar Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. A year-round general coarse lake with silver fish, mixed species and carp to bigger sizes..
Which baits work well on Poplar Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Poplar Lake 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 Poplar Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Poplar Lake?
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 Willow Lakes Fishery before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Poplar Lake?
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 Poplar Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Poplar Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Adult Poplar day ticket — one rod £10; Adult Poplar day ticket — two rods £15; Willow or Sycamore adult day ticket £7; Willow or Sycamore concession day ticket £6; Willow or Sycamore junior day ticket £4 (last checked 2026-10-10).
Is night fishing allowed on Poplar Lake?
No — Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
Who does Poplar Lake suit?
Good for: Anglers after a mixed coarse bag; Those wanting a chance of larger carp as well as silver fish. Less suited to: Anglers specifically after small, intimate carp-lake fishing.
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
Day ticket · turn up
Willow Lake: the main pleasure lake, with islands, peninsulas and a solid mixed stock.
- Size
- Approximately 0.8 acres acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, tench, roach, rudd, bream, chub, crucian
Willow is the main pleasure lake, covering about 0.8 acres with 21 pegs. Four islands and two peninsulas give the water plenty of features to pick apart, while the average depth is around 4ft.
Carp include commons, mirrors and ghosts from about 1lb to 14lb, with fish averaging roughly 4lb to 8lb. Tench, roach, rudd, skimmers, chub and crucians are also present, so it’s not all about carp.
Willow contains common, mirror and ghost carp from about 1lb to 14lb, averaging approximately 4lb to 8lb.
Lake photographs
A look around Willow Lake
Willow Lakes Fishery
Willow Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Willow Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Carp anglers after steady-sized fish and plenty of features
- Pleasure anglers wanting a mixed bag
Maybe not for
- Night anglers, as night fishing is not permitted
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Willow Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
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.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
Willow Lake FAQs
How many pegs does Willow have?
Willow has 21 pegs.
How much is a Willow day ticket?
Adult tickets are £7, concessions £6 and juniors £4.
What's the lake record on Willow Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: Willow contains common, mirror and ghost carp from about 1lb to 14lb, averaging approximately 4lb to 8lb. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Willow Lake?
carp, tench, roach, rudd, bream, chub, crucian. Willow contains common, mirror and ghost carp from about 1lb to 14lb, averaging approximately 4lb to 8lb.
How big is Willow Lake and how many swims?
Around Approximately 0.8 acres acres. The main pleasure lake, with islands, peninsulas and a solid mixed stock..
Which baits work well on Willow Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Willow Lake?
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 Willow Lakes Fishery before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Willow Lake?
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 Willow Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Willow Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Adult Poplar day ticket — one rod £10; Adult Poplar day ticket — two rods £15; Willow or Sycamore adult day ticket £7; Willow or Sycamore concession day ticket £6; Willow or Sycamore junior day ticket £4 (last checked 2026-10-10).
Is night fishing allowed on Willow Lake?
No — Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
Who does Willow Lake suit?
Good for: Carp anglers after steady-sized fish and plenty of features; Pleasure anglers wanting a mixed bag. Less suited to: Night anglers, as night fishing is not permitted.
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
Day ticket · turn up
Sycamore Lake: a shallower pleasure lake with a broad mix and mainly smaller fish.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, bream, tench, chub, rudd, perch, roach, crucian
Sycamore has 19 pegs and depths ranging from about 3ft to 6ft. It holds common, mirror and ghost carp alongside skimmer bream, tench, chub, rudd, perch, roach and crucians.
Most fish are under 2lb, although some larger ones are present. That makes Sycamore a good shout for lighter tackle, busy sessions and anglers who enjoy working through a varied bag.
Most Sycamore fish are under 2lb, with some larger fish present.
Lake photographs
A look around Sycamore Lake
Willow Lakes Fishery
Sycamore Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Sycamore Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Float and light-feeder anglers
- Pleasure anglers after a varied session
Maybe not for
- Anglers chasing consistently large carp
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Sycamore Lake
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sycamore Lake FAQs
How deep is Sycamore?
Sycamore is approximately 3ft to 6ft deep.
How much is a Sycamore day ticket?
Adult tickets are £7, concessions £6 and juniors £4.
What's the lake record on Sycamore Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: Most Sycamore fish are under 2lb, with some larger fish present. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Sycamore Lake?
carp, bream, tench, chub, rudd, perch, roach, crucian. Most Sycamore fish are under 2lb, with some larger fish present.
How big is Sycamore Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. A shallower pleasure lake with a broad mix and mainly smaller fish..
Which baits work well on Sycamore Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Sycamore Lake 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 Sycamore Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Sycamore Lake?
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 Willow Lakes Fishery before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Sycamore Lake?
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 Sycamore Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Sycamore Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Adult Poplar day ticket — one rod £10; Adult Poplar day ticket — two rods £15; Willow or Sycamore adult day ticket £7; Willow or Sycamore concession day ticket £6; Willow or Sycamore junior day ticket £4 (last checked 2026-10-10).
Is night fishing allowed on Sycamore Lake?
No — Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
Who does Sycamore Lake suit?
Good for: Float and light-feeder anglers; Pleasure anglers after a varied session. Less suited to: Anglers chasing consistently large carp.
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
Pre-book only
Ash Lake: a match lake with around 24–25 pegs and two islands.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp
Ash forms part of the match-fishing complex at Willow Lakes. It has approximately 24–25 pegs and two islands, giving organised events some useful features to work around.
The lake is available for club and open-match bookings, rather than normal pleasure day-ticket fishing.
Lake photographs
A look around Ash Lake
Willow Lakes Fishery
Ash Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Ash Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Club and open-match organisers
- Match anglers
Maybe not for
- Casual pleasure anglers without a match booking
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Ash Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
Ash Lake FAQs
Can I buy a normal pleasure ticket for Ash?
Ash is listed for club and open-match bookings.
How many pegs does Ash have?
Approximately 24–25 pegs.
What's the lake record on Ash Lake?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Ash Lake that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Ash Lake?
carp.
How big is Ash Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. A match lake with around 24–25 pegs and two islands..
Which baits work well on Ash Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Ash Lake 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: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Ash Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Ash Lake?
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 Willow Lakes Fishery before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Ash Lake?
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 Ash Lake on a day ticket?
You'll need to book Ash Lake in advance rather than just turning up.
Is night fishing allowed on Ash Lake?
No — Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
Who does Ash Lake suit?
Good for: Club and open-match organisers; Match anglers. Less suited to: Casual pleasure anglers without a match booking.
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
Pre-book only
Chestnut Lake: a match water with around 25 pegs and four central islands.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp
Chestnut is one of the venue’s match lakes, with approximately 25 pegs and four central islands. Those islands add clear features for organised competition fishing.
It is available for club and open-match bookings, so this is one to look at when arranging an event rather than turning up for a standard day ticket.
Lake photographs
A look around Chestnut Lake
Willow Lakes Fishery
Chestnut Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Chestnut Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Club matches
- Open-match organisers
Maybe not for
- Walk-in pleasure fishing
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Chestnut Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
Chestnut Lake FAQs
How many islands are on Chestnut?
There are four central islands.
Can Chestnut be booked for matches?
Yes. Chestnut is available for club and open-match bookings.
What's the lake record on Chestnut Lake?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Chestnut Lake that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Chestnut Lake?
carp.
How big is Chestnut Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. A match water with around 25 pegs and four central islands..
Which baits work well on Chestnut Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Chestnut Lake 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: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Chestnut Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Chestnut Lake?
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 Willow Lakes Fishery before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Chestnut Lake?
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 Chestnut Lake on a day ticket?
You'll need to book Chestnut Lake in advance rather than just turning up.
Is night fishing allowed on Chestnut Lake?
No — Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
Who does Chestnut Lake suit?
Good for: Club matches; Open-match organisers. Less suited to: Walk-in pleasure fishing.
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
Pre-book only
Hawthorn Lake: the biggest stated match lake, with around 30 pegs, islands and peninsulas.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp
Hawthorn has approximately 30 pegs, along with several islands and two peninsulas. It is part of the match-fishing complex and offers plenty of pegs for organised events.
Like Ash and Chestnut, Hawthorn is available for club and open-match bookings rather than ordinary pleasure day-ticket fishing.
Lake photographs
A look around Hawthorn Lake
Willow Lakes Fishery
Hawthorn Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Hawthorn Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Larger club matches
- Open-match organisers wanting plenty of pegs
Maybe not for
- Unbooked casual sessions
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Hawthorn Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
Hawthorn Lake FAQs
How many pegs does Hawthorn have?
Approximately 30 pegs.
What features does Hawthorn have?
It has several islands and two peninsulas.
What's the lake record on Hawthorn Lake?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Hawthorn Lake that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Hawthorn Lake?
carp.
How big is Hawthorn Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. The biggest stated match lake, with around 30 pegs, islands and peninsulas..
Which baits work well on Hawthorn Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Hawthorn Lake 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: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Hawthorn Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Hawthorn Lake?
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 Willow Lakes Fishery before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Hawthorn Lake?
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 Hawthorn Lake on a day ticket?
You'll need to book Hawthorn Lake in advance rather than just turning up.
Is night fishing allowed on Hawthorn Lake?
No — Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
Who does Hawthorn Lake suit?
Good for: Larger club matches; Open-match organisers wanting plenty of pegs. Less suited to: Unbooked casual sessions.
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
Do I need a rod licence?
All anglers must hold a valid Environment Agency rod licence.
- Must
Are barbless hooks required?
Barbless hooks are required.
- Must
Must all fish be returned?
All fish must be returned to the water.
- No
Can I use a keepnet?
Keepnets are prohibited except during organised matches.
- No
Is night fishing allowed?
Fishing is permitted from 6:00am until dusk; night fishing is not permitted.
- No
Do pleasure anglers normally need to book?
No booking is normally needed for the pleasure lakes; buy the day ticket from the car-park machine before fishing.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 10 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.
Poplar Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
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
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.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
Willow Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
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.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
Sycamore Lake
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ash Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
Chestnut Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
Hawthorn Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
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
8.3/10 from Tackle Index: Three pleasure lakes offer carp and a broad coarse mix, with match waters adding extra choice for organised fishing.
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 — “Willow Lakes Fishery is a long-established, 13.5-acre commercial venue near Foston, with pleasure lakes, match waters and more than 160 pegs. The day-ticket fishing is centred on Poplar, Willow and Sycamore, with carp and a decent spread of coarse species.”
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 Willow Lakes Fishery
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Willow Lakes Fishery here. Be the first and get the score started.