Click here to read a Carpworld article on this venue

If you’re looking for a challenge, somewhere that really gives you the chance to test your angling skills then look no further than Island Lake... it’s a real favourite with our serious specimen hunters. The fish certainly don’t give themselves up easily but the rewards are definitely there to be had. Look at this feedback;

“14 fish landed, 6 lost. 4 x 40’s to 49lb. Rest were mid to large thirties and big twenties. Our second year at Island Lake. What a fantastic place... really makes you work for your fish but they are worth it - a proper big fish water” Luke Ingle, September 2007.

“Called in for a very short session on my way home from St. Christophe and caught mirrors of 54lb, 41lb 12oz and 36lb 2oz the first morning.” Shaun Harrison, August 2007.

“1 x 55lb 6oz mirror, 5 x 40lb+, 9 x 30lb+, 2 x 20lb+. Excellent venue.” Mr Taylor, May 2007.

And this feedback is by no means exceptional – click here to read more.

The lake is over 30 years old and set in 35 acres of beautiful woodland, lying close to the River Seine. It’s a 3.5 hour drive from Calais and only 45 minutes from Paris and Euro Disney - a real bonus for non-angling partners. It really is a carp anglers dream – you look at it and just want to fish it. It’s challenging fishing but the rewards are definitely there if you are prepared to put the work in. In no way could anyone describe Island Lake as an artificial commercial water – this is the real thing!

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It's around 20 acres for a maximum of 10 anglers and it is possible to book the lake exclusively. The banks have been left as natural as possible but carefully cut into it are 14 swims, several being double, with a wooden cabin in each swim.  A track around the lake makes easy access for vehicles to every swim.  

The swim cabins on one side of the lake all have electric to them with the remaining cabins planned for electricity by the end of 2008. They are equipped with two single beds, a bedside cabinet and gas heater. Outside there's a terrace area with a pub-style wooden bench and parasol. However, the cabins are not accommodation standard - more designed to give anglers shelter in bad conditions and somewhere to store tackle. If you take a non-fishing partner and they are expecting accommodation they could be disappointed.

There are two clean shower and toilet blocks on site. The swims which are furthest from the shower block are provided with a mountain bike to make the trip a little quicker… but of course you could always be lazy and take the car! The site does not receive mains water but does have electric installed to the shower block. Currently water is pumped from professionally constructed fresh water bore holes. It can sometimes have a cloudy appearance and cannot be considered as drinking water so we recommend you buy bottled water from the local!

The lake is fairly weedy so strong tackle is required.  Poisson chat can be a problem in some of the swims in the summer months - be prepared to net your baits or use particles.  Boats are available on-site and bait boats are also allowed.

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The current owners, Tommy & George Young, purchased Island Lake in 2003. Before then it had been unfished for many years, allowing the original fish to grow to an incredible size – the first few sessions produced carp to just under 50lb. Recent additional stockings means it now has a stock of around 200 mirrors and commons, the vast majority being over 25lb... in fact the lake contains more 30's than it does 20's! There's also a good head of 40's and most weeks see several fish of this size on the bank. In 2006 there were at least 2 different 50lb+ fish landed, including a 55lb common.

The Island Lake saw the stocking of 30 new fish, half commons and half mirrors, on Wednesday 12th December, 2006. Owners Tom, George and bailiff Mick Hall were present to witness the stocking and Angling Lines were there with the video camera to film the event.

The fish, supplied by Horton Pisciculture, weighed from 29lb 4oz to 39lb 6oz… with 25 fish over 30lb, of which 10 were over 35lb.

This represents a fabulous addition to the already impressive stocks in this picturesque and well appointed gravel pit fishery. Here is the list of weights:

Click here to see a short video of the stocking.

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So if you’re looking for a session on a well stocked specimen lake, with a bit more comfort than just a bivvy, then Island Lake could be for you.

Fishing - from £239 per person, per week, including ferry crossing.

Visit this lake 2 (or more) times in 2008 & get a 10% discount on the return visits!

Conditions:

• Applies to fishing only (excludes accommodation, food, bait etc)
• Applies to ferry crossing for vehicle only (excludes trailers, cabins etc)
• Members of a group booking who have not visited twice will not be eligible for the discount.