Carpvale Doubles

Carpvale Doubles is a dedicated specimen lake that appeals to anglers who enjoy challenging sessions in pursuit of well-grown carp rather than quick, heavily stocked runs. Set just off the A64 near Malton, it forms part of the wider Carpvale operation, a long‑established coarse fishery and fish supplier known for careful stocking and ongoing fishery management.

The lake itself is a compact, roughly 3.5‑acre water that was originally created in the late 1960s and used for trout before falling into disuse, then being redeveloped by Carpvale from 2008 onwards. The owners extended the original water, installed full otter fencing and introduced a substantial head of double‑figure carp from their own fish farms, giving anglers a credible chance of quality fish on every trip.

Carpvale’s background as a specialist coarse fish supplier means the stock has been built with progression in mind. The lake holds a wide range of mirror carp, with a current record just under 28 lb, plus a number of strong common carp to around 30 lb. Alongside these specimens there are ghost carp over 20 lb and catfish approaching 40 lb, creating a mixed challenge that will appeal to anglers looking for more than just small fish.

For potential visitors searching for a dedicated carp venue, Carpvale Doubles offers exactly what many people type into search engines: a manageable, secure water with a strong head of doubles, realistic chances of fish over 20 lb and the possibility of a memorable capture. That aligns strongly with what many look for when they search for terms such as carp fishing lake, carp fishery or big carp, especially within North Yorkshire.

The layout and facilities

One of the defining features of Carpvale Doubles is its 14 wood‑chipped bivvy swims, with a rule that only 12 anglers may be on the lake at any one time. This gives anglers a little breathing space and improves the chances of being able to move if the fish show elsewhere, something regulars often value at a busy day ticket carp fishery. Each swim has an island feature as well as marginal cover, so every peg is capable of producing a bite in the right conditions.

The lake benefits from secure otter fencing and a designated parking area that is only a short walk from the water, which is particularly useful for anglers bringing substantial bivvy and session gear. There is also a flush toilet and a cold‑water tap on site, offering a basic but practical level of comfort for longer stays, including typical 24‑ or 48‑hour sessions that specimen anglers often favour.

Feedback from several visitors highlights the setting as a key plus: many describe Carpvale Doubles as picturesque, quiet and a place where you can properly settle in for a couple of nights. One angler mentioned a 48‑hour session that felt relaxed and enjoyable throughout, while another praised the fishery as clean and tidy with helpful staff and a generally attractive environment. These comments present a picture of a venue that, at its best, ticks many of the boxes people have in mind when they search for a peaceful carp fishing venue.

Stock, challenge and angling experience

Carpvale Doubles is not marketed or described by visitors as an easy runs water. Reviews repeatedly refer to the fishing as “not easy but worth it”, suggesting this is a venue where watercraft, patience and thoughtful baiting come to the fore. Anglers hoping for constant action may be disappointed, but those who enjoy the process of working out a water and targeting a smaller number of better fish will likely find the challenge satisfying.

The carp themselves have a reputation for quality and variety, with a mix of mirrors, commons and ghost carp providing different looks in the net. The presence of catfish adds another dimension to the experience, as some anglers actively seek them out while others prefer to avoid them by tailoring bait choice and rigs. The long‑term stocking policy, which brings in new fish each winter from Carpvale’s own sites, helps maintain growth rates and introduces fresh fish to keep the stock profile varied over time.

For many anglers who look for a specimen carp lake rather than a match‑style water, Carpvale Doubles offers a realistic prospect of fish into the mid‑20s and beyond, together with the satisfaction that comes from catching fish that have clearly been allowed to grow on steadily. The presence of otter fencing and ongoing stock management adds to the confidence that the fish are well protected and the venue is being run with an eye on the future.

Positive impressions from visitors

A significant proportion of anglers leaving feedback are keen to emphasise how enjoyable their sessions have been. Several describe the lake as beautiful and peaceful, with an atmosphere that lends itself to longer stays, brewing up and watching the water between takes. Comments praising the venue as well maintained, clean and tidy, with staff who are willing to offer advice, suggest that many visits go smoothly and leave a good overall impression.

Some anglers specifically mention that they “cannot wait to go back”, which implies that the combination of setting, stock and challenge works well for those who appreciate this style of fishing. When a venue encourages repeat visits, it usually indicates that, despite the occasional tough session, the overall package remains attractive to its core audience. For potential customers, this pattern of feedback is a reassuring sign that Carpvale Doubles can deliver rewarding sessions when approached with the right mindset.

In addition, the wider Carpvale brand carries a level of credibility because of its long involvement in coarse fish supply and fishery management. The company’s experience in netting, restocking and pond work tends to be valued by anglers who care about fish welfare and long‑term water quality, and this background logically benefits the Doubles lake through informed decisions on stocking density and species mix.

Critical feedback and areas of concern

Alongside the positive comments, there are some strongly critical reviews that potential visitors should take into account. One particularly detailed account describes the lake as being heavily choked with weed on many pegs, to the point where casting and landing fish were described as very difficult. In that angler’s experience, the weed growth meant that fish became tangled and the only practical way to land them was by using a boat to reach them, which is not an ideal situation for most visiting anglers.

The same review mentions multiple snapped‑off hair rigs around the islands, suggesting that the combination of weed and snags had led to a significant amount of end tackle being left in the water. In addition, the angler points to an accumulation of discarded equipment, bin bags and general rubbish in and around the lake, as well as deep potholes on the track leading to the car park. These comments imply that, at least at the time of that visit, maintenance and litter management had fallen below what many anglers would expect from a specialist carp fishery.

Further criticism in the same account focuses on the terrain around the lake, which is described as difficult for moving a barrow due to thick nettles and slippery sections of path. The toilet is portrayed as being in very poor condition, more akin to festival facilities and off‑putting for visitors on longer sessions. The angler also notes that the bailiff did not make an appearance during their stay, which they interpreted as a sign that the staff might be aware of the issues but not actively addressing them.

It is important to recognise that this very negative review sits against a backdrop of multiple highly positive ones, suggesting that experiences can vary significantly depending on timing, expectations and possibly the stage of maintenance or weed control at the moment of the visit. Nonetheless, for someone planning a trip, it highlights legitimate concerns: dense weed growth making some pegs hard to fish, occasional lapses in bankside tidiness, and facilities that may not meet everyone’s standards, especially for longer sessions.

Balancing expectations and deciding if it suits you

Carpvale Doubles presents itself as a specialist venue that caters to anglers who are happy to put in effort for fewer but better fish. For those anglers, the combination of a relatively intimate water, a solid head of double‑figure carp, and the chance of fish into the upper 20s or low 30s is an appealing prospect. When the weed is under control and maintenance is up to date, feedback suggests that the lake can be a rewarding place for focused sessions on a well‑run carp fishing lake.

However, potential customers should factor in that conditions can change and that some visitors have encountered heavy weed, challenging access paths and bankside litter. Anglers who dislike fishing in or around weed, or who prioritise pristine facilities above all else, may want to make additional enquiries before booking or check more recent feedback to understand how the venue is currently being managed. That kind of due diligence is especially relevant for those planning multi‑day trips or travelling a long distance.

For anglers who are comfortable with a more demanding environment, are used to fishing weedy waters and who place a high value on the potential of the fish themselves, Carpvale Doubles remains an interesting option in North Yorkshire. Its mix of mirrors, commons, ghost carp and catfish, together with a layout that gives each swim genuine features to target, continues to attract carp anglers looking for a serious challenge rather than a numbers water.

Ultimately, Carpvale Doubles is best suited to anglers who appreciate a focused, specimen‑style venue and are willing to accept that conditions such as weed growth and bankside presentation may vary across the season. By weighing the consistent praise for the setting, stock quality and challenge against the more recent criticisms about weed, litter and facilities, potential visitors can decide if this particular carp fishing venue aligns with how they like to fish.