Cliviger Bottom Pond

Cliviger Bottom Pond is a modest but characterful coarse fishery that forms part of the wider Cliviger Fishponds complex on Burnley Road, offering anglers and casual visitors a quiet setting with mixed results depending on expectations and which pond they choose to use. Managed as part of a long‑standing angling society project, it combines a long history of restoration work with a relaxed, open‑access feel and a network of informal paths that appeal as much to walkers as to dedicated anglers.

The site comprises two main waters: a larger top pond of around 1.7 acres and a smaller bottom pond of roughly 0.7 acres, with the latter giving this venue its name and providing a compact option for short fishing sessions. Both waters are run as mixed coarse fisheries, holding a broad spread of species that includes carp, grass carp, perch, tench, roach, rudd, ide, bream, gudgeon, trout and barbel, so there is always the potential for varied catches if you are prepared to adjust your tactics. The surrounding trees are subject to preservation orders and the site has county biological heritage status, which gives visits a more natural feel than some heavily commercialised venues.

From an angling perspective, one of the main attractions here is the opportunity to fish a genuinely mixed water where bites can come from many different species across the day. For those targeting specimen‑style fish there are reports of quality carp and other larger coarse species, yet plenty of smaller fish such as roach and perch keep more active anglers or younger visitors engaged when conditions are right. The presence of floating islands in both ponds, installed to provide sanctuary from predatory birds, also adds interesting features to target with carefully placed rigs or margin tactics.

The venue operates with fairly straightforward rules that will suit those used to club or traditional stillwater fisheries. Only one rod is allowed per angler, keepnets are not permitted for day‑ticket visitors and there are clear restrictions on groundbaiting with boilies, although boilies can still be used as hookbaits or in limited amounts as loose feed. These rules, along with an emphasis on carrying membership cards for club anglers and a strong stance against litter, are intended to protect fish welfare and maintain the environment for both regulars and occasional visitors.

Access is a mixed picture that will suit some anglers better than others. Cars are expected to use the lay‑by on Burnley Road, with access either via a staircase or a slope near a bus stop, and an alternative path through a neighbouring farm. Once on the banks, there are around twenty‑five platforms on the top pond and about ten on the bottom, offering a reasonable choice of swims when the fishery is not too busy, though competition for the more favoured pegs may arise on popular days.

A key strength of Cliviger Bottom Pond is its availability to both club members and casual visitors.

• Day tickets are sold locally through tackle shops and a nearby garage, allowing visiting anglers to plan a session without committing to full membership.
• Members of the managing angling society can fish without additional ticket costs, which is attractive for regulars wanting a varied water in their portfolio.

This dual system keeps the fishery open to newcomers while still maintaining a sense of ownership and care among those who fish it often.

Feedback from anglers and visitors paints a varied picture, highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the bottom pond compared to the top water. Several anglers note that the top pond tends to offer better fishing, with more open swims and generally tidier banks, while the bottom pond is sometimes described as poorly maintained, with reeds and bank growth that can limit comfortable access to the water. On slower days a few visitors report very few bites between whole groups of anglers, which can be disappointing if you are travelling specifically for a productive coarse session.

On the other hand, there are also multiple comments praising the wider Cliviger Fishponds site as a peaceful and attractive place to spend time, even when the fishing is not at its best. Walkers mention a tranquil atmosphere, intricate paths and the feeling of entering a quiet, sheltered pocket of countryside where you can sit with a picnic and watch anglers at work. Families and support workers accompanying people with additional needs also remark on the friendly, relaxed environment, which can make the location appealing for mixed‑ability groups where not everyone is fishing.

Nature lovers will find plenty to appreciate around the water as well. Reported sightings include herons, deer and birds of prey such as peregrine falcons, and there has even been mention of an osprey visiting in the past, reinforcing how rich the local wildlife can be. Mink and other mammals are occasionally observed along the banks, adding to the sense that this is a genuinely semi‑wild environment rather than a purely engineered fishery.

Extensive restoration and maintenance work has taken place over the years, which is worth bearing in mind when weighing up some of the more negative comments about maintenance.

• The ponds were originally taken on in a derelict condition and then reshaped, de‑silted and generally brought back into use through a significant engineering effort.
• Subsequent projects have improved drainage on paths, removed fallen trees, repaired and rationalised fishing platforms and thinned out reeds to keep at least some swims accessible.
• Silt traps and spillways have been rebuilt to secure water levels and quality, which benefits both fish and anglers.

However, natural growth and the ongoing impact of weather mean that sections of bank at the bottom pond can still feel somewhat untidy, especially if you are accustomed to highly manicured commercial fisheries.

For potential visitors primarily interested in angling, it is sensible to treat Cliviger Bottom Pond as a traditional mixed coarse venue where results can vary. On the plus side, the waters are open all year, there is a wide choice of species and day tickets are reasonably easy to obtain locally. On the downside, some pegs require a bit of effort to access, and there are occasional reports of very quiet days in terms of bites, particularly on the bottom pond.

Bank facilities are best described as simple rather than heavily equipped. Anglers will find basic platforms and natural banks rather than purpose‑built shelters or on‑site food outlets, so visitors should arrive prepared with their own refreshments and suitable clothing. This stripped‑back approach will appeal to those who value peace, wildlife and traditional coarse fishing, but may not suit anglers looking for a fully serviced commercial complex with extensive amenities.

As with any coarse venue, anyone planning a session here should also ensure they hold an appropriate rod licence and are familiar with national and regional angling byelaws, especially if targeting species like eels or fishing during periods when close seasons apply on other waters. While Cliviger Bottom Pond is open all year as a stillwater fishery, responsible anglers will find it easy to integrate the site‑specific rules with wider legal requirements.

Viewed as a whole, Cliviger Bottom Pond suits anglers and visitors who value a more natural mixed fishery over a highly commercial operation, and who are comfortable with a few imperfections in exchange for tranquillity and wildlife. Those seeking consistently high catch rates from heavily stocked carp waters may find the bottom pond unpredictable, and might gravitate towards the better‑regarded top pond, but anyone prepared to adapt their approach and treat the location as a relaxed, scenic coarse fishery can still enjoy satisfying days on the bank.

For potential customers weighing up a visit, it is worth considering what you want from your time by the water.

• If your priority is a peaceful setting, varied wildlife and a traditional coarse angling experience, Cliviger Bottom Pond offers a low‑key but appealing option, particularly if you are happy to fish light tackle and keep mobile between pegs.
• If you prefer meticulously trimmed banks, numerous facilities and guaranteed high‑volume catches, then this venue may feel more limited and you may need to adjust expectations or focus on the top pond instead.
• For families, walkers and mixed groups where some are fishing and others are simply enjoying the surroundings, the combination of paths, open banks and quiet corners can make this an agreeable choice for a few hours outdoors.

Ultimately, Cliviger Bottom Pond is a realistic, down‑to‑earth coarse fishery with a long history of improvement, a wide spread of species and a setting that appeals strongly to those who like their angling accompanied by birdsong and trees rather than tarmac and buildings. The balance of strengths and weaknesses means it will not be ideal for everyone, but for many potential visitors it represents an accessible and genuinely peaceful place to spend time with a rod, or simply to walk the paths and watch others at the water’s edge.