Baden Hall Specimen Carp Lakes

Only a short drive from the M6 between Stafford and Stoke-On-Trent, Baden Hall Fishery is conveniently situated near the Staffordshire town of Eccleshall. There are ten coarse fishing pools at the complex including two specimen carp lakes. The larger of these lakes, located well away from the main fishery is Quarry Pool at 18-acres.

As a former gravel pit where extraction stopped in 2000, much of the bottom consists of gravel and sand, although there are some areas of silt to be found. The pit will see some weed growth, mainly silkweed in the summer months, when solid PVA tactics can then work well. Holding a good depth of water, up to 12ft in some areas, Zigs can also be a popular method if the fish are found to be high in the water.

There is a number of big carp residing in this pit, which is reflected in the rules. Anglers must use 15lb main line and hooks no smaller than size 10. Each of the twenty pegs has its own fishing hut, supplied with an unhooking mat, landing net and weigh-sling that must be used by the visiting anglers.

Bridge Pool is Baden Hall’s second big carp water that has been developed as a bivvy water for anglers who don’t like to fish from huts. Anglers will also need to use their own net, mat and sling when fishing this 13-acre pit. The stocking of this lake took place in 2005/2006 and the fish have done very well, with carp having grown to over thirty-pounds. This pit with all ten of the pegs running down one side is the easier of the two to fish, as it doesn’t become as weedy through summer.

Both pools are available on 24hr tickets that must be booked. For security the pools are ‘lock-in’ waters, so access is between 12pm and 2pm. Other facilities include a tackle shop, shower and toilets, as well as a cooked breakfast being available from the club house of this well-run fishery.

The vital information you need...

Biggest resident: Mirrors to 42lb and commons to 46lb.
Average fish size: Mid-twenty in Quarry Pool; upper-doubles in Bridge Pool.
Rough fish stock: 160 carp in each of the pools.
Going bait: Bright pop-ups fished over particles or scattered boilies.
Local tackle shop: On-site
Takeaways: Valley’s Fast Food & Indian Cuisine (01785 812929).
Rod limit: Two rods (summer).
Location: Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6LG.
Contact: Call 01785 850313
Website: badenhall.com
Facilities: Toilets, tackle shop plus food and drink
Prices: £30 per 24hrs.
Known summer areas/swims: The far bank of Bridge Pool and the weedbeds on Quarry pool.
Bailiff's top tip: “A small bag of maggots can work when all else fails.”