The above are some of the fish moved in to the Lily lake in 2018/2019.

What do I need to know?

The Lily Lake has had an up and down past, with changes in rules, stocks and accessibility it has never really reached the potential it has had for decades but the future is looking better.

The fish that were moved out to create the ‘go-to lake on the complex’ years ago (the willow lake) have now largely been moved back to be replaced with an inflatable playground (not joking), but this effectively doubles the stock of 20lb+ fish that call the Lily lake home. 

This along with a selection of carp from the Kingfisher lake next door have propped up the stock and all the fish are absolutely immaculate, with many being wild and sort after strains.

I’m not aware of a better looking stock for miles around.

The issue though is that the stock and condition of the fish is at an absolute premium and would be on every carp angler wish list if the environment in which they live was as appealing.

The Lily lake itself is a stunner, but to fish there you will need to put up with strange rules, novice anglers, holiday makers, insane amounts of birdlife and constant strangers asking if you have caught anything. Oh and the nuisance fish.

As an example of the strange rules, if you want to night fish you can only choose between 5 pegs on one side of the lake. The stretch you can fish is around 100-120 yards (guessing) long and there will be 4 or 5 anglers with 2 or 3 rods each along this in a line, side by side – not ideal.

Those anglers in the corners have nothing to go on, and those in the middle are faced with a huge lily bed, you’re also not allowed to move.

In essence, the Lily Lake has some incredible fish and the potential to be great. But it will not hit those heights in the environment it is placed.

That said, it is 100% worth some day sessions and spending some time to try and winkle out one of its residents.

The best way to do so would be to stay mobile and cast to moving fish, they enjoy the corners nearer the static lodges during the days and the islands are a common route taken by most of the fish.

Use dark singles on chods to avoid the wildlife, or zigs if you dare, alternatively a PVA bag with a drop off lead placed well in one of the many holes in the weed will work a treat.

Don’t go to the Lily Lakes without these: