Yorkshire Carp.

Yorkshire Carp And Yorkshire Carp Waters

When I started carp fishing way back in 1965 one of the biggest hurdles was locating lakes that actually held any carp, believe me they were extremely thin on the ground. There was no Yorkshire carp  grapevine ( it was to be two years before I met another carp angler ). You could not just jump on a computer and from the luxury of your arm chair and when you found a water that actually held carp, apart from the odd article in the angling times by the likes of Walker and B.B. information on how to catch any carp you found was virtually non existent.

Yorkshire carp have come on in leaps and bounds since the 1960s and the number of Carp Waters available is astounding compared to what we used to have. If you are a new comer to carp fishing your problem may be choosing which one to choose. If you are just starting Yorkshire Carp Fishing PLEASE do not take into account all the 20s, 30s, and 40s plastered all over the angling press, YES there are quite a few waters in Yorkshire containing 30lb carp now with the odd ones that can boast an odd forty pounder and just one a fifty but if you are just starting out you do have to be realistic.

A lot of the Yorkshire Carp waters containing 30LB carp only have the odd fish of that size so your chances of catching one are not very good, set your sights lower and enjoy your fishing setting them too high is only going to leave you frustrated and even packing up all together.                                                                      If you search the web for Yorkshire Carp and Yorkshire Carp Waters you will see a lot listed but with only the barest of information such as prices location etc and the size that the carp go to ( funny how most of them have carp to 30LB ) The list of Yorkshire Carp and Yorkshire Carp Waters below are waters that I fish or have fished in the past or I have good information for from friends. If you would like to add any other information feel free as long as it will help other carp anglers. Some of the waters I am fishing at the present time you can find more information at http://www.howtocatchcarp.co.uk who knows I may see you on the bank one day.

Living In South Yorkshire I am on the boundaries of Linkonshire and Nottingamshire so some the waters that I have classed as Yorkshire Carp Waters may run into those counties but will only be a short drive away.
I will try and keep these in alphabetical order but do bare with me if one or two are out of place: so first up -


Alderfen  http://www.alderfenfisheries.co.uk/

Back Lake Alderfen Fisheries.

Big Dave the owner at Alderfen has been around Yorkshire Carp and carp fishing about as long as I have he is a great bloke and will put you right with any questions that you have. Located at Poles Bank Wroot Nr Doncaster a five acre lake with a bit of a difference in that it is almost split in two with a narrow channel and bridge dividing what I call the old lake and the new lake. The old part of the lake is my favourite being much more natural and overgrown but as with any lake you will have to have a good look around to locate the carp.
The carp run to mid twenties, if you have been around carp fishing for any length of time and I mention the Leney strain you will know that you are in for some cracking looking fish.

Alderfen does get quite weedy during the summer but I have had most of my catches fishing no more than a rod length out , just make sure to stay quiet. Most baits will work but fishing sweetcorn or ten mill boilies over a bed of hemp seed has been very productive for me.
Floating baits can be productive in the summer months and do not forget the zig rigs in the winter. Talking about winter carp fishing if you are intending to fish through the winter be advised that from the 1st November - 31st March Alderfen is only open from 8AM Friday - 6PM Sunday.
For more information visit  http://howtocatchcarp.co.uk


Bank End Fisheries Wroot Doncaster.

Bank End Fisheries at Wroot Nr Doncaster has been open for a number of years. The main lake does hold a good number of carp up to mid twenties. Primarily a day ticket water ie no night fishing they do let one or two regular visitors night fish, ( a case of getting your face known and being on good behaviour ). I have only fished here on the odd occasion. A couple of friends did have a few carp out last winter up to around 18LB.

Bolten Brickyard Ponds
Bolten On Dearne
Website:  http://bricky.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

This takes me back some years as they were the ponds that I stated my carp fishing on back in the 1960s. They were on the grapevine for carp anglers from Linkonshire and the Sheffield region with the likes of John Harriis a well known Yorkshire carp angler at the time fishing here on a regular basis. My first ever carp weighing  in at 16lb 4ozs came from here after a two year struggle. At the time that I fished the water it was a 1mile walk for the nearest bus or a 4mile walk with all the gear which I did on a regular basis. Carp anglers today do not know the half of it.

The water is boarded by a housing estate, not exactly a secluded water but if you live close by from what I can gather there are carp up to around 25LB.

Cromwell Lake
Website: www.cromwelllake.com/

This is an 18acre Nottingamshire water on day ticket or full membership.

I did fish this lake not long after it opened at that time I believe it contained the odd carp up to around 30lb I did manage to catch common carp up to 24lb plus. Since then it has received further stockings and is producing carp over 4olb. It also contains some big catfish if they rock your boat.

This is an 18acre water next to the Trent. There were extensive weed beds when I last fished there, a marker set up is a must but do not forget the margins, around half of the fish that I caught came from a bait placed a rod length out down the margins.

Delves Fishery Thorne Nr Doncaster.

This is not a Yorkshire carp water that I have fished but I have walked the banks a few times with the intention of fishing here i the future. It does contain one or two 20lb carp has an on site cafe and night fishing is available. A nice looking water with beds of lily pads and other carp holding aeries. This is a long narrow water do not forget to walk the banks to spot any carp activity before setting up.