Willow Park Fishery Big Lake, Ash
Comprising 30 comfortable, bark-chipped swims, this 10 acre lake set in Hampshire contains an amazing head of 400+ fish. A few of them are over 30lb, including a very good head of 20’s. Three of these are floppy-tailed commons around 28lb, proper characters.
A fully scaled mirror carp known as The Princess also resides in Willow Park. There is also a lovely head of backup fish which range between 15-20lb so you’re always likely to get a bend in the rod.
Willow Park Fishery Details
Tickets: Day ticket
How much: 24 Hours 2 Rods £25.00 48 Hours 2 Rods £50.00 72 Hours 2 Rods £70.00 96 Hours 2 Rods £90.00 1 Week 2 Rods £130.00 Extra 12 Hours £12.00 Non Fishing Guest £5.00
How to book: Book before you go - 01252 325867
How busy: 30 swims to choose from, can get busy at weekends
Can you drive to swims: No
On site facilities: Cafe, tackle shop, toilets, showers, food and refreshments, 24 hour staff
Average Size: 19/20lb
Max size: 32lb
Realistic catch rate: Several a session possible
Best swims: The fish hold up in the middle in the winter, in summer they move all over
Best rig: Solids or ronnies
Best bait: All good quality boilies
Ideal experience level to catch: Intermediate
Lots of different anglers fish the lake and it sees lots of different baits, personally I wouldn’t say there is a bait that doesn’t work it’s more about location.
What’s it like and how to fish it best?
The lake isn’t very deep, so I tend to stick with dull baits so the birds don’t become a pain. Plenty of boilie crumb and pellet works well with liquids bringing numbers of fish into your area to feed.
I tend to only use two rigs on the venue. First one being a solid bag rig. About 3 inches of soft supple braid with a barbless size 6 curve complete the rig. The second rig is a Ronnie rig for my pop-up presentation. I usually stick to around 6/7 inches, there isn’t much weed in the lake and it can be presented quite well no matter where it lands.
The lake has a big bowl area where most swims on the lake can cast to the centre. I wouldn’t say there is one swim which is the best on the lake, but in winter time the fish do shoal up, so locating them is key when choosing your swim.
Each method works well at different times of year. The one method which baffles me is zigs. Winter they are an absolute game changer but in the summer they don’t work as well for some strange reason.
Lots of different anglers fish the lake and it sees lots of different baits, personally I wouldn’t say there is a bait that doesn’t work it’s more about location.
Willow Park Fishery Rules
Lead systems: No leaders
Fish care: Unhooking mats compulsory
Hook rules: No barbed
Other rules: Dogs must be under control and mess must be picked up
Reader Approved
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