Fishing at our resorts

There is excellent fishing availble at our resorts on the Cotswold Lakes - see below for a comprehensive guide

🎣 Fishing at Lake Pochard (Cotswold Lakes)

Lake Pochard (near Cirencester in the Cotswolds) is a well-known UK carp and coarse fishing venue, especially popular for anglers combining fishing with a lodge stay.

 

Guests of the Pochard Lodges are able to use the Walters Lake green lane. It has 19 swims available to guests and offers mixed course fishing and some Carp to 20lb. Species include Carp, Tench, Bream, Roach, Rudd and Perch - Costs apply

Fishing is not permitted from the lodge bank in front of the lodges.

Fishing bookings MUST be made in advance. Failure to do so may result in none being available during your stay. If you are planning to fish Pochard Lake, please call or email the office before booking your lodge to check the availability of swims.


Pochard Lake will be closed if the Carp spawn.

Cost for Fishing

Fishing must not commence before your check-in time of 4pm and your swim must be vacated on your departure day by your check-out time of 11am.

Fishing is not permitted from the lodge bank in front of the lodges.


   


🎣 What the fishing is like

🐟 Main lake (Pochard Lake)

  • Size: ~11.5 acres
  • Known for large carp (40lb+)
  • Also contains pike and specimen fish
  • Best suited to experienced carp anglers due to weed and fish size

πŸ‘‰ Expect:

  • Challenging fishing (heavy weed spring–autumn)
  • Big fish potential
  • Quiet sessions (limited to ~8 anglers)

 

🎯 Walters Lake (match / pleasure lake)

  • Smaller (~4.5 acres) with ~55 pegs
  • Stocked with:
    • Carp (8–14lb typical)
    • Tench, bream, roach, rudd, perch

πŸ‘‰ Better for:

  • Beginners
  • Match fishing
  • More consistent bites

⚠️ Important rules & access

  • 🎟️ Fishing is mainly for lodge guests only
  • 🎣 You must have a UK rod licence
  • β›” Strict rules (examples):
    • Barbless or micro-barbed hooks only
    • No braided line
    • Designated swims only
    • Fish must be returned
  • πŸŒ™ Night fishing allowed (in designated swims)

πŸ’Έ Typical costs (approx.)

  • Main lake: ~Β£10 per 24h (2026 pricing)
  • Green lane: ~Β£5 per 24h
  • Weekly deals available

🎯 Tips for fishing Lake Pochard

  • Use strong tackle (18lb+ line) due to weed and big carp
  • Fish:
    • Margins & weed gaps
    • Clear spots if you can find them
  • Popular baits:
    • Boilies
    • Pellets
    • Sweetcorn (allowed)
  • Avoid:
    • Nuts / particle mixes (banned)

🎣 Fishing at Hoburne Cotswold

Fishing at Hoburne Cotswold is very different from places like Lake Pochard β€” it’s more relaxed, holiday-style angling rather than hardcore specimen fishing.

 


🐟 What fishing is like

  • The park has 4 lakes set within the Cotswold Water Park
  • It’s mainly coarse & carp fishing, ideal for casual sessions or families

🎯 Key lakes & fish

Pedalo Lake (main lake)

  • ~5.5 acres
  • Carp up to ~50–60lb
  • Also pike, tench, perch, roach, rudd

Mallard Lakes

  • Carp up to ~30lb
  • Good all-round pleasure fishing

Heron / Kingfisher lakes

  • Carp up to ~25–40lb
  • Mixed coarse fish (tench, bream, roach, pike)

πŸ‘‰ Overall:

  • Good stock
  • Decent chance of bites
  • Not as pressured or technical as dedicated carp fisheries

⏰ Rules & access (important)

  • 🎟️ Fishing is FREE β€” but ONLY for guests staying on-site
  • 🎣 Rod licence required (UK law)
  • πŸ•— Fishing times:
    • 08:00 – 22:00 only
    • ❌ No night fishing

⚠️ Common rules

  • Max 2 rods per angler
  • Barbless hooks only
  • No nuts / restricted baits
  • Catch & release only
  • No fixed rigs, no unattended rods

🎯 What it’s best for

βœ… Great if you want:

  • Easy, relaxed fishing on holiday
  • Decent carp without hardcore tactics
  • Mixed species (good for kids / beginners)

⚠️ Not ideal if you want:

  • Night sessions
  • Serious specimen carp fishing
  • Quiet, angler-only environment (it’s a holiday park)

🧠 Tips for Hoburne

  • Fish margins early morning / evening (lots of activity)
  • Keep bait simple:
    • Sweetcorn
    • Pellets
    • Small boilies
  • Don’t overfeed β€” lakes aren’t huge
  • Watch out for swimmers / boats in summer

🎣 Fishing at Windrush & Isis Lakes (Cotswold Lakes)

What fishing is like

🌊 Windrush Lake

  • Primarily coarse & carp fishing
  • Good stock of:
    • Carp (to ~30lb)
    • Perch, roach, pike
  • About 13ft average depth with reed-lined margins
  • Fishing from built platforms around the lake

πŸ‘‰ Expect:

  • Solid day fishing for carp & mixed species
  • Not overly pressured (private access)
  • Some disturbance from kayaks / paddleboards in summer

🎯 Isis Lakes (split into sections)

1. Trout lake

  • Dedicated fly fishing
  • Stocked rainbow trout
  • Calm, more β€œtraditional” angling feel

2. Coarse / carp lake

  • Carp to 30–35lb+
  • Tench (10lb+), bream, crucians

πŸ‘‰ Overall:

  • More variety than Windrush
  • Good for both fly anglers and coarse anglers

⚠️ Access & rules (VERY important)

  • 🎟️ Fishing is PRIVATE β€” for lodge guests/residents only
  • πŸ’Έ Usually free if you’re staying onsite
  • 🎣 Rod licence required (UK law)

Key restrictions

  • ❌ No night fishing
  • 🚫 No motor boats (Windrush allows paddles only)
  • 🎣 Fish from designated platforms only

🎯 What it’s best for

βœ… Great if you:

  • Are staying in a lodge nearby
  • Want quiet, low-pressure fishing
  • Like mixed fishing (carp + coarse + trout)

⚠️ Not ideal if you:

  • Want day-ticket access (you generally can’t)
  • Want hardcore specimen carp fishing
  • Want night sessions

🧠 Tips for these lakes

  • 🎣 Windrush tactics:
    • Method feeder or simple carp rigs work well
    • Fish margins early/late
  • πŸͺΆ Isis (trout):
    • Small dries or nymphs
    • Light fly gear
  • 🐟 General:
    • Keep it simple (pellets, corn, boilies)
    • Don’t overfeed β€” smaller lakes