Fennes Fishing – open 7am – 7pm daily, day ticket and night fishing

Fennes Fishing presents itself as a sizeable coarse and carp complex with a clear emphasis on accessibility, variety and regular day-ticket and night sessions, appealing to both pleasure anglers and more dedicated specimen hunters. The fishery was created in the early 1990s on former water meadows and now offers around 15.5 acres of water and over 100 swims spread across three established lakes, giving visitors a choice of different styles of angling while still remaining relatively compact and easy to get around for a single-day trip or a longer stay.

One of the main attractions here is the range of species on offer, which makes Fennes more than just a carp water and positions it as a genuinely mixed coarse venue. Anglers report good stocks of Bream, Tench, Roach, Rudd and Perch alongside specimen Common and Mirror Carp that run to over 30 lb, with Catfish also present, so a single session can cover everything from float fishing for silver fish to targeting heavier fish on modern carp tactics. For those searching online, this is exactly the sort of set-up that often comes up when looking for carp fishing lakes or a general coarse fishing venue that can keep different types of anglers happy in one place.

Lakes, layout and style of fishing

The complex is made up of three main waters: Ash Grounds Lake, Hobbs Croft Lake and Hill & Black Lake, each with its own character and target audience. This structure allows Fennes Fishing to cater simultaneously for visiting families, match anglers and those who prefer quieter, longer carp sessions.

Ash Grounds Lake is the largest water, around six acres with approximately 60 pegs, long banks and several islands, offering plenty of features to target at a range of distances. It is described as a general-purpose lake holding carp, tench, bream, roach, chub, barbel and perch, which means it suits everything from traditional ledgering and float fishing through to more dedicated carp approaches with multiple rods. Ash Grounds is frequently mentioned in online comments as one of the more popular swims for regulars, with returning visitors noting that they enjoy the setting even when sessions are relatively quiet, suggesting that the environment and layout go a long way toward making the experience worthwhile.

Hobbs Croft Lake, around three acres with roughly 22–25 pegs, has built a reputation as a more intimate, sociable water where anglers can steadily build mixed bags and introduce newer anglers to the sport. It is stocked with Rudd, Roach, Carp, Perch, Tench and Bream, and the presence of two islands, landscaped banks and purpose-made swims gives plenty of structure while making it straightforward for less experienced visitors to find a productive line. Importantly, this is the one lake that can be fished without advance booking and is used largely for daytime sessions, which suits casual visitors looking for a straightforward day ticket fishing venue without the need to plan far ahead.

Hill & Black Lake, also quoted at around six acres, was converted from an irrigation reservoir and provides another mixed coarse option, more akin to Ash Grounds in terms of stock and style. While there are fewer detailed public reports about this lake, sources note that it shares the same broad mix of species, including decent carp and silver fish, which helps spread angling pressure across the site rather than concentrating everyone on one water.

Target fish and catch expectations

For many visiting anglers, the main draw is the potential for sizeable carp backed up by plenty of supporting species, and Fennes generally delivers on that promise while still leaving an element of challenge. The fishery is regularly described as holding carp to over 30 lb, with some reviewers referencing double-figure fish and decent-condition carp caught over the course of a session, suggesting a stock capable of producing memorable captures without becoming so pressured that fish are constantly coming out to every peg.

At the same time, reviews highlight that results can be mixed and that this is not an overstocked commercial where bites are guaranteed. Some anglers mention landing only one carp across multiple visits or having several rods out for extended periods for limited action, sometimes attributing this to hot weather and high pressure or to fish switching off during difficult conditions. Others, including family trips noted in independent catch reports, talk about busy sessions for silver fish, with children catching good numbers of roach and small carp, indicating that the venue can fish very well when conditions and approach align. Taken together, these comments suggest that Fennes offers a balance: a productive carp fishery with realistic expectations rather than an artificial runs water, underpinned by dense enough stocks of roach, rudd and bream to keep float anglers occupied.

Day tickets, night fishing and booking

Fennes Fishing trades heavily on its combination of day-ticket access and managed night fishing, which is increasingly sought after by anglers searching online for convenient day ticket carp fishing with the option to stay on for longer sessions. The site operates on the basis of 24/7 availability, with swim times running in clear 12-hour blocks (typically 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.), and visitors can choose between single and double-swim bookings depending on whether they are fishing alone or with a partner.

Most of the complex now runs on a pre-booked system for swims, particularly for Ash Grounds and Hill & Black, which has both strengths and weaknesses from an angler’s point of view. On the positive side, pre-booking gives certainty that a chosen peg will be available on arrival and helps reduce overcrowding, something that experienced anglers often appreciate when planning a specific approach or targeting particular features. On the negative side, at least one reviewer expresses frustration that booking is tied to individual swims rather than simply to a lake, arguing that this makes it harder to move if conditions are poor or if fish are showing elsewhere. Prospective visitors who value flexibility may wish to take this into account, particularly during changeable weather when being able to move quickly can make a difference.

Facilities, access and comfort

Feedback about on-site facilities is consistently positive and is one of the clear strengths of Fennes Fishing as a general coarse venue. Anglers regularly highlight the presence of a small tackle and bait shop, toilet facilities and an all-weather car park, noting that swims and paths are well maintained and kept tidy. Clean toilets in particular are repeatedly mentioned as a plus, which matters for families and those planning overnight sessions where basic comfort and hygiene can strongly influence the overall experience.

Accessibility is another selling point. Hobbs Croft is noted as having pegs accessible for disabled anglers, and the overall layout of the lakes with purpose-built platforms and landscaped banks makes it easier for less mobile anglers to set up safely, especially when carrying more substantial carp gear. The presence of a tackle shop on site, open on set days, means that visitors who forget essential bits of kit or bait have a fallback option rather than needing to leave the venue mid-session, which can be particularly useful given the 24-hour swim structure.

There are occasional minor criticisms relating to comfort, such as reports of surface debris and seasonal fluff collecting on the water and fouling lines, which can be irritating when fishing at range. While this is a fairly common issue on many tree-lined waters at certain times of year, it is something to bear in mind for those who like to fish with sensitive line lay and minimal drag on the surface. Wildlife is another factor: at least one angler mentions having rods repeatedly disturbed by geese, describing them as invasive and suggesting that bird life can at times be more prominent than fish activity in some swims. For some visitors, a busy wildlife presence adds charm, but for others it can prove disruptive.

Atmosphere, staff and maintenance

Overall, the atmosphere at Fennes Fishing is described by most visitors as relaxed, friendly and well suited to anglers who value a calm environment. Several reviewers praise the staff for being approachable and helpful, and compliment the way swims and banks are maintained, with particular mention of tidy pegs and a general sense that the complex is looked after rather than neglected. This kind of environment is especially important for newcomers and families, who often appreciate a reassuring presence on site when they have questions about rules, bait choices or lake layout.

The mix of anglers using the venue also shapes the feel of the place. With Hobbs Croft aimed partly at club matches and teaching younger anglers, and the other lakes offering more traditional session fishing, there is a blend of regulars and occasional visitors rather than a purely match-driven or purely specimen-focused crowd. That balance helps Fennes function as a broad fishing lake complex where different styles can coexist, though at busy times it may mean that some areas are noisier than others depending on whether a club match or group booking is taking place.

Strengths and limitations for potential visitors

When weighing up whether Fennes Fishing is the right choice, potential visitors will find a number of clear advantages. The breadth of species and the presence of carp over 30 lb give it genuine appeal as a carp fishery without excluding pleasure anglers focused on silver fish, and the three-lake layout allows anglers to choose between a more open, feature-rich water or a compact, sociable lake geared toward steady action. Good facilities, disabled-friendly pegs and a tidy environment further enhance its suitability for families, mixed-experience groups and those who value comfort alongside their fishing.

On the other hand, this is not a venue where bites are guaranteed, and some anglers have found sessions slow, especially in hot conditions or when confined to a specific booked swim that happens to be quiet. Comments about limited activity during heatwaves and the occasional blank or near-blank trip indicate that, despite healthy stocks, fish behaviour follows natural patterns, and success is likely to reward careful preparation, appropriate bait and a willingness to adapt rather than purely relying on stock density. The geese and seasonal debris can be a nuisance, and the enforced swim-based booking system may feel restrictive to anglers who like to move frequently and follow showing fish.

For anglers looking online for day ticket fishing with credible carp potential, mixed coarse options and decent facilities in one place, Fennes Fishing offers a realistic and balanced proposition. It suits those who enjoy planning their sessions, appreciate a clearly structured timetable for day and night fishing, and value a clean, safe environment as much as the chance of a big-fish capture. Those who prefer very high-stocked commercial waters with near-constant action or complete flexibility to roam the banks may find that the booking system and naturally variable catch rates require a slight adjustment of expectations, but for many visitors this trade-off is acceptable in return for comfort, order and a mix of angling opportunities.