Clearwater Fisheries

Clearwater Fisheries is a purpose-built coarse and carp venue that aims to offer something for almost every type of angler, from casual day visitors to serious specimen hunters looking for well-managed waters and good back-up facilities.

The venue operates a multi-lake set-up, with several distinct waters including Keer Lake, Kellet Lake, Kents Bank and other smaller pools, each designed with different targets and methods in mind. This variety is one of its main strengths, as it allows visitors to tailor a session towards carp fishing, mixed coarse sport, or more focused campaigns on specific species.

Among the standout waters, Kellet Lake is frequently mentioned by experienced anglers as a well-balanced specimen water, roughly six acres in size and run on a day-ticket basis. The stock is reported at around 175 carp with fish running into the low thirties, and a blend of older originals and carefully selected newer stock, which gives a good mix of character fish and growing younger carp.

Keer Lake plays a different role in the complex, being a larger, heavily stocked water where carp are known to reach weights over the forty-pound mark, with anglers reporting multiple fish over this barrier in a single year. This is particularly appealing for those looking for a realistic shot at a personal best while still fishing a controlled, managed environment rather than a vast, natural water.

For many visitors, Kents Bank stands out as a productive 24-hour water, with overnight sessions regularly producing multiple carp in a single stay when conditions line up. One angler on a short overnight visit reported three fish up to twenty-four pounds from Kents Bank after local anglers pointed out a productive area, demonstrating how local knowledge and friendly regulars can make a real difference to results.

Another recurring positive theme is the consistency of general sport when targeting species other than carp. Anglers who have struggled on other venues for tench, for example, have turned to Clearwater Fisheries as a reliable option for float fishing and reported that the water “delivered” with pleasing numbers of fish, helping to rebuild confidence in their set-up and approach. This is important for coarse anglers who value regular action as much as outright specimen size.

The venue has built a reputation for being visually attractive and well maintained, characteristics that matter to many anglers spending long sessions by the bank. Visitors describe a quiet, scenic setting, neatly cut grass and tidy banks, with little or no litter evident around the pegs. In videos filmed on site, anglers comment that the bivvy areas are spacious and well laid out, and that each peg is allocated a generous amount of water, so there is less feeling of being cramped or pressured by neighbouring lines.

When it comes to facilities, Clearwater Fisheries tends to receive strong praise for providing the essentials that make longer stays more comfortable. Modern, clean toilets and showers are available and included in the cost of fishing rather than charged as an extra, and several anglers use this as a key point in favour of the fishery, particularly those doing 24–48 hour sessions. This level of investment in amenities sets it apart from more basic day-ticket waters.

The on-site tackle and bait shop is another positive talking point. Anglers mention that it is well stocked, with a range of terminal tackle, end gear and bait suited to the venue’s own fish, which is especially helpful to visitors who are travelling light or who may not have had time to prepare everything in advance. Staff are frequently described as approachable and willing to suggest areas, tactics or swims that have been producing recently, which can make a big difference if you are visiting for the first time.

From a sport point of view, the fishery offers both easy-going action on some lakes and more demanding fishing on others. Videos and reports from Kellet Lake in particular highlight that, while it is well stocked, it can be quite a thinking angler’s water with clear depths, features such as deeper bowls and shallower margins, and fish that respond to careful baiting and presentation rather than crude methods. This presents an appealing challenge for seasoned carp anglers looking to refine rigs, location and watercraft.

For those seeking more straightforward sessions, other lakes in the complex can produce numbers of fish in the right conditions, with some anglers recording upwards of twenty fish in a visit when rotating between waters such as Scrapes and the newer day-ticket lake. These reports underline that Clearwater Fisheries is not only about one big-hit specimen water but about a broader offering that can suit different moods and levels of experience on different days.

Customer feedback also points towards the friendly atmosphere created by both staff and regular visitors. Several anglers mention that people on site are happy to share information, point out productive areas and generally help others to get the best from their time on the bank. This kind of environment can be particularly reassuring for those new to specialist carp lakes, or for coarse anglers moving up from smaller club waters and wanting advice.

However, the fishery is not without potential drawbacks, and understanding these helps form a realistic picture. The very popularity that speaks well of the venue’s quality can also mean that, at busy times, prime pegs and favourite lakes fill quickly, leaving less choice for late arrivals. On the more in-demand waters, this can translate into pressure on the fish, which in turn can make them more wary and harder to catch, particularly during holiday periods and mild weekends.

Some feedback also notes that catches can vary dramatically depending on weather, time of year and the specific lake chosen. Visiting immediately after the first frost, for instance, has led to slower sessions where carp have clearly shut down, even though anglers felt the venue itself was well run and pleasant to fish. This is not unique to Clearwater Fisheries — it affects most coarse fishing lakes — but potential visitors should be prepared for the reality that the stock level does not guarantee action under every set of conditions.

The make-up of the different lakes also means that not every water will appeal to every angler. Those who prefer low-stock, very challenging, big-fish campaigns may find some of the heavier-stocked lakes too busy in terms of bites and angler traffic, while pleasure anglers seeking near-constant bites might find Kellet or Kents Bank demanding on quiet, pressured days. Matching expectations to the right lake on the complex is therefore a crucial part of planning a visit.

Because the venue is relatively modern, having opened to the public around the mid-2010s, some anglers may feel that it lacks the long-established “history” of older estate lakes or traditional club waters. For others, this is balanced by the benefits of purpose-built swims, thought-out stocking policies and a clear, ongoing plan to enhance the stock with high-quality fish drawn from dedicated stock ponds. Over time, as the fish continue to grow and mature, this sense of history is likely to develop naturally.

On the ethical and management side, Clearwater Fisheries is generally viewed positively, with signs of active stock management and investment back into the lakes. Comments and external write-ups highlight that the venue follows a structured stocking programme, especially on Kellet Lake, adding new fish periodically to maintain numbers and ensure a healthy age spread. This is reassuring for anglers concerned about the long-term future of the fishery rather than just short-term results.

From a practical perspective, having a fishery that caters for both long and short sessions, with options for overnight carp fishing, pleasure days and even organised matches, means it can attract a broad range of anglers. Clubs, small groups of friends and individual visitors can all find a format that suits their style, whether that means a quick day on a tench or mixed lake, or a full weekend targeting larger carp on one of the specimen waters.

For newcomers looking to get into carp fishing in the UK, Clearwater Fisheries offers a manageable stepping stone between small, heavily stocked commercial pools and large, wild waters that demand years of experience. With good access, clear swims, on-site advice and a choice of lakes with different difficulty levels, it can help anglers build skills without being overwhelmed. At the same time, the presence of fish over thirty and forty pounds ensures there is genuine scope for exciting captures that keep more experienced anglers interested.

On balance, Clearwater Fisheries offers a well-run, modern and versatile venue that attempts to combine attractive surroundings with practical facilities and thoughtful fishery management. While factors such as potential busyness at peak times, seasonally fickle carp and differing difficulty levels across lakes mean that not every session will be a runaway success, the general standard of maintenance, the quality of the fish and the availability of on-site support make it a solid option for anglers considering where to book their next trip. For anyone searching for carp lakes and coarse fishing venues with a mix of comfort and challenge, it stands out as a realistic candidate to put on the list.