Front Lake

Front Lake in Kemsley is a small but busy coarse fishery that appeals to anglers who want accessible, affordable day sessions with a realistic chance of catching quality fish rather than chasing record-breaking specimens.

The water is part of a locally run angling club, which helps to keep the character of a traditional community venue while still welcoming visiting anglers on day tickets, provided they hold a valid Environment Agency licence and follow club rules.

Layout, access and facilities

The lake is relatively shallow, with depths generally between three and four feet, and a bottom that offers undulations and small holes that can be targeted by anglers who enjoy reading a swim carefully.

There are around 20 pegs, many of them on solid, well-constructed pontoon platforms, and at least one swim is designed for wheelchair access, which makes Front Lake a viable option for anglers with limited mobility.

The banks include islands, bays, reed beds, lily pads and marginal cover, so anglers can choose between open-water approaches and more intimate margin work depending on their preferred style.

Being set in a residential area, the fishery is easy to reach on foot or by car, and there is nearby parking and a small shop in the vicinity where anglers can pick up basic supplies, although this convenience also brings a few drawbacks when it comes to noise and litter.

Fish stocks and fishing potential

Front Lake is stocked with a broad mix of coarse species, which makes it attractive for pleasure anglers and those who enjoy mixed bags rather than single-species sessions.

The headline draw for many visitors is the presence of carp fishing opportunities, with fish reported up to and over twenty pounds, including both common and mirror carp as well as ghost carp into the mid-teens.

Those interested in coarse fishing beyond carp can target roach and rudd to around two pounds, bream to about seven pounds, tench approaching eight pounds and perch into good doubles for the size of the water, with fish over two to four pounds being mentioned.

Predator anglers will find pike fishing up to about fifteen pounds, with eels and other species such as crucian carp and ide present for those who enjoy more varied match fishing and pleasure sessions.

Club information suggests that the lake fishes differently across the seasons: summer often sees carp cruising on the surface, tench feeding on the bottom and bream patrolling, while colder months bring pike and perch to the fore alongside better roach sport.

Recommended baits from regulars include pellets, sweetcorn, maggots and lobworms, and anglers are encouraged to experiment and report back to the club when they find something that works particularly well on the venue.

Access, tickets and atmosphere

Front Lake operates as a club-controlled water rather than a highly commercial complex, with a limit on the number of non-member anglers allowed each day, so arriving early is advisable if you want to secure a peg on busy dates.

Day ticket prices are typically described by visitors as affordable, making the venue attractive for local anglers who want regular sessions without committing to long-distance travel or high-price specimen waters.

The fishery is open throughout the year, with no closed season on the lakes, which allows local anglers to build up an understanding of how the fish respond in different weather patterns and water conditions.

Because the lake is in a residential setting and close to takeaway outlets, it attracts a wide cross-section of the community, from families and beginners to more experienced coarse anglers, which can create a friendly social feel on good days but can occasionally lead to less considerate behaviour by some visitors.

What anglers like about Front Lake

Many anglers value Front Lake for being a straightforward, inexpensive day-water where it is possible to catch regularly without needing the heavy approach associated with large specimen venues.

Reviews highlight that there is a genuinely good head of fish for the size of the water, with anglers reporting mixed bags of carp, bream, perch and rudd, which keeps sessions interesting and makes the lake suitable for those learning watercraft or refining rigs.

The well-built pontoon swims are often mentioned as a positive feature, giving stable, comfortable platforms that suit both traditional float fishing and modern feeder or method approaches targeting carp and bream.

For some visitors, the presence of wheelchair-accessible pegs is an important plus, showing that the club has considered inclusive access and making fishing lakes like this more realistic for anglers with reduced mobility.

Several visitors describe the water as a small gem when it is at its best, praising the general look of the lake, the birdlife and the combination of lilies and reed-fringed margins that create a more natural feel than highly manicured commercials.

Criticisms and areas to improve

Despite the many positives, feedback from some anglers highlights a few recurring concerns that potential visitors should be aware of before planning a trip.

A number of comments suggest that the lake could benefit from more active management and bank-side supervision, particularly at peak times when larger groups or less experienced visitors may not always follow best practice for litter, noise and fish care.

Being close to residential streets and a fast-food outlet means that discarded packaging and general rubbish can build up quickly if not addressed, and some anglers feel this undermines the otherwise attractive setting and the efforts of those who do tidy their swims.

There are also reports that the behaviour of a minority of anglers can be off-putting, with occasional complaints about inappropriate language or lack of respect for other people’s space on the bank, which might put off those who prefer quieter fishing lakes with a more strictly controlled environment.

Isolated reviews also mention less professional behaviour from younger staff or helpers around the venue, suggesting that training in customer service and sensitivity would help make the experience more comfortable for all visitors.

None of these issues are insurmountable, and many regulars clearly continue to enjoy the lake, but these points do indicate that Front Lake sits somewhere between a traditional club water and a fully managed commercial fishery in terms of on-site oversight.

Who Front Lake suits best

Front Lake is likely to appeal most to anglers who enjoy relaxed carp fishing and mixed coarse fishing on a smaller water, where careful baiting and simple rigs can regularly produce fish rather than relying on heavy-duty tackle or long-range casting.

The venue works well for local anglers who want a convenient day ticket option without travelling far, for those looking to practise pole or float techniques, and for families introducing younger anglers to fishing lakes that offer realistic chances of bites across several species.

Predator anglers who enjoy winter pike fishing and perch sessions can also find something of interest, particularly if they value smaller, more intimate waters where reading the water and timing are more important than covering vast areas.

Anglers who prioritise a very quiet environment, or those who dislike venues with mixed abilities and occasional antisocial behaviour from a minority of visitors, may prefer alternative club or syndicate waters with stricter access controls.

For those willing to work around these limitations, Front Lake offers genuine potential for enjoyable days on the bank, with solid stocks of carp, tench, bream and silver fish, depth variations that reward thought, and a structure of islands, reeds and lily pads that keeps the fishing interesting across the year.

Overall, the venue stands out as a modest but well-stocked community coarse fishery that delivers good value and varied sport, while still having room to improve in terms of bank-side discipline and consistent maintenance to match the quality of the fish that live in the water.