The most important issue in any top carp venue is the stock. At present The Island Lake holds over 200 carp which have been carefully stocked. Since opening in 2002, we have had three different stocking programmes where we have replaced smaller fish under 30lbs with larger specimens and the average weight is now 40lbs. There are approximately seventy five 30lb+ carp, seventy 40lb+ carp, around forty five 50lbs+ carp and a magnificent nine 60lb+ carp. Out of the 50lb+ fish, at least 37 are 55lb+ (25 mirrors and 12 commons) and we are sure it won’t be long until these move into the 60lb bracket.Our most cherished prizes are our two lake record fish - one of which is a common weighing 66lb and and the biggest mirror and overall lake record weighing 79lb 12oz.

Each year we have new 40’s, 50’s and 60’s coming through and we are hoping it won’t be long until we see our first 80lb carp – what an achievement that will be……..

We are noticing with every year that these fish are putting on some good weights. As an example, the fish pictured below that was caught in May of 2010 at 52lb and was then caught in October of 2010 at a weight of 59lb and in May 2011 reached a weight of 61lb.

Most of the carp are all young fish so there is plenty of time for them to grow bigger each year.

So why not come and try your luck at hooking some of these beautiful fish?

 

 John Baker 52lb mirror