The Old Mill Lakes

A 50-acre specimen carp complex overlooking the Lincolnshire Wolds, run by Chris Marler and Jo Thompsen. Three bookable lakes: Birch (membership required, carp to 62lb), Willow (day ticket, carp to 52lb) and Oak (day ticket, 550 carp to 50lb). Only bait purchased on site may be used. All unhooking mats provided — anglers must not bring their own.

• Advance booking required; payment taken over the phone by card. Bookings taken 8am–6pm only.
• Arrival from 10am; fishing commences 12 noon. 24hr sessions end at 11am the following morning.
• An Environment Agency licence is required to fish on the premises.
• Maximum of 3 rods per angler at all times.
• No guests permitted onto the fishery; no visitors to drop items off to anglers.
• No lake viewings permitted.
• Site is locked 7pm–7am for overnight anglers. Anglers may not leave except for emergencies.
• Only bait purchased on site is permitted for use; only hookbaits may be brought from home (not glugged).
• All liquids banned — food liquids, sweet liquids, oils, goo and smart liquids must not be brought onto site.
• No readymade boilies, nuts, particles or maggots. No plastic, cork ball, imitation, foam or artificial hookbaits.
• Pop-ups (except cork-ball), wafters and hard-hookers are permitted as hookbaits.
• No keepnets or sacking of fish. Fish may be retained in a weigh-sling for no more than 10–15 minutes.
• Unhooking mats are provided on all lakes — do not bring your own. Use at all times.
• Minimum 42 inch landing net. All anglers must have their own floatation safety weigh-sling.
• Nets and slings must be dipped on arrival. Do not bring soaking wet nets onto site.
• Minimum 15lb / 0.35mm diameter mainline (0.40mm minimum on Birch). No braided mainline except on marker and spod rods.
• Rig tubing only — no naked mainlines at the lead. No leaders, braid or leadcore of any kind.
• Lead clip arrangements only; maximum 3.5oz lead. No helicopter or in-line leads. Lead must be able to free itself.
• No back-leads of any description, including flying back-leads.
• No naked chods, zigs, floater fishing or floaters.
• Minimum 2lb test curve rods. No sea fishing or light coarse/match gear.
• Both barbless and micro-barbed hooks permitted.
• Bait boats permitted on Willow and Oak only — banned on Birch.
• Spod/spomb floats must be used when using a spomb.
• Fishing from recognised swims only. Rods must be set up in the same peg as bivvy. No rods left unattended.
• No vehicles onto the lakeside. Parking in designated areas only. 5mph speed limit across the entire complex.
• No fires or unsupported BBQs. No loud radios or TVs.
• No litter, including cigarettes and tea bags.
• No dogs on site.
• Alcohol in moderation only. Bad behaviour will result in a ban.
• No tents, windbreaks or non-fishing camping gear. Fishing bivvies or brollies only.
• No drones to be brought onto or flown over the site.
• No wading, swimming or walking on ice.
• Toilet facilities provided 24hrs — use them or risk a ban.