Whetstone Gorse Fishery was originally developed on two sites, each with two pools. However, when the original owner retired from his farming business some three years or so ago, the original two pools were closed and all the fish relocated to the remaining pools, known locally as phase 2. Originally developed in 2000 on a site just over a mile outside of Countesthorpe on the Willoughby Road, the emphasis was firmly placed on working hand in hand with nature whilst providing quality fishing in an increasingly natural environment, with the welfare of both the fish and local wildlife a prime consideration. The result is two attractive mature lakes which offer a variety of fishing in natural surroundings and a relaxed atmosphere with just a few rules to ensure fish welfare.
In October 2021, the fishery was taken over by Paul Longland, a keen angler and wildlife enthusiast. Having been a regular at the lakes from shortly after they opened, Paul jumped at the chance to fulfil a lifetime ambition of running his own fishery when the opportunity arose. The fishery will continue to be run in keeping with the original ethos, with the emphasis on maintaining a friendly and natural feel whilst at the same time encouraging the local wildlife to flourish, which distinguishes it from many other “commercial” fisheries
The two lakes have been renamed as Mallard lake (previously known as mixed fish lake) and Moorhen pool (previously the carp lake) as the original names are no longer truly reflective of the fish stocks in each.
Mallard Lake
Originally known as the mixed fish lake because it is where the largest number of species are stocked, this is the larger of the two lakes and despite its original name is the water where the larger carp are to be found with several fish over 20lbs. The biggest carp to come out last year weighed in at just under 28lbs.
Mallard lake is the first water on the right as you enter the car park. Oval in shape it has a central island running down the spine giving 30 metres of water between the bank and the island built with sides which slope at 45 degrees to an average depth of six feet and then back up at 45 degrees to the island. To preserve the natural feel of this water, the pegs have been spaced 10 metres apart which provides plenty of room for both pleasure and match anglers.
Mallard lake holds carp, bream, roach, tench, perch and crucian carp. In addition it saw the stocking, five years ago of some 200 barbel which now regularly top the 6lb mark and are caught frequently. Those who fish this lake say they love the barbel because they give a really good account of themselves. Most of the barbel fall to baits of meat or pellets.
Mallard Lake is a good match water which fishes evenly whichever peg you draw. It is shallowest at the lily ends of the island and every peg has at least six feet of water in front of it.
The track between the bank and the island tends to produce the best variety, but fishing in the margins and close to the island are also very effective, leading to average match catches of over 40lbs although currently the four-hour match record stands at just over 80lbs.
the best baits tend to be small pieces of meat, sweetcorn, soft hooker pellets, paste, bread and casters and maggots, although prawns and mussels can also be good for the larger carp
Moorhen pool
Originally known as the carp lake moorhen pool is kidney shaped and again has a central island along its spine giving anglers a feature to fish towards.
With 16 metres of water between the bank and the island, the sides are again cut at 45 degrees to a six feet deep central track before rising again at 45 degrees to the island. At each end of the island there is a two feet deep ledge which is planted with reeds.
Naturally it pays to fish to this ledge as the fish tend to hold up around the reeds, so fishing either on top of it where there are no reeds or down the slope and at the bottom of the slope can give great results. Pole, waggler or feeder are all effective methods and best baits tend to be meat, sweetcorn, paste, pellets and bread with prawns and mussels again good for the bigger carp. Maggot and caster can produce good bags of rudd and will often tempt the carp on those days when larger baits are not the order of the day, especially in the colder months.
Most anglers fishing moorhen pool go after the commons and mirrors, the main fish species in the water, which average 6lbs with plenty of low doubles between 10lbs and 12lbs. The biggest to be caught in 2019 weighed 17lbs – a new lake record which was taken early in summer.
Like mallard Lake there are also a good head of crucian carp – again to around 1lb, with the best to date weighing in at over 2lb – and some ghost carp, although these are not as big as the commons or mirrors
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The silver fish species are largely made up of rudd which run to 1lb, and perch to about 8oz which can give a great days sport for those less inclined to target the carp.
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