Carp Fishing In Birmingham And West Midlands: The Best Lakes

With Cadbury’s chocolate, Ozzy Osbourne and tennis all hailing from Birmingham, it is no surprise that some of the carp fishing lakes in the wider West Midlands region are also of the highest order.

While there are a number of park lakes in the city centre, there is also an abundance of countryside on the outskirts that is home to many beautiful fisheries.

Without further ado, let’s check out some of the finest day ticket carp lakes that Birmingham and the West Midlands has to offer.

Alvechurch Fisheries (Bromsgrove)

Alvechurch Fisheries is located in Alvechurch, around 6 miles from Bromsgrove.

There are 4 lakes on this superb complex, with all of them boasting mixed species of coarse fish. Horseshoe Lake, Canal Lake and Arrow Lake are all aimed at pleasure anglers, while House Pool is the specimen lake.

House Pool was only half an acre in size until 2016, at which point it was extended to roughly 2 acres and was stocked with all of the biggest fish from the other lakes. The average size carp is now low double-figures, with many upper double-figure fish and a number that have exceeded 20lb in weight.

The complex boasts a cafe that is open 7 days a week, serving a range of meals, snacks and drinks. There is also an on-site tackle and bait shop that stocks a range of products from most of the big brands. Toilet facilities are also available.

Day tickets on House Pool are valid from dawn until dusk and are priced at £12. Night fishing is not allowed.

Alvechurch Fisheries At A Glance:

Barston Lakes (Solihull)

Barston Lakes is a large fishing complex located at the West Midlands Golf Club in Solihull.

The fishery comprises of four lakes and caters for beginners (Olivia’s Pool), pleasure anglers (Daisy’s Pool) and specimen hunters (Jake’s Lake and Barston Lake).

Jake’s Lake boasts 25 pegs and covers approximately 2 acres of water. The shallow areas offer depths of around 3ft, with the deepest points reaching as much as 10ft. The average size carp is low double-figures, with many fish exceeding 20lb in weight. The lake record is around 25lb.

Barston Lake is the largest lake of the complex, extending to 21 acres in size and accommodating 125 pegs. It hosts many popular angling competitions and boasts similar depth levels to Jake’s Lake. As the main specimen lake, it holds the largest carp, with average weights of mid double-figures. There is also a good head of 20lb+ fish, with a number that have crossed the magical 30lb barrier. The lake record is an impressive 37lb.

Anglers can take advantage of the facilities at the golf clubhouse, including a bar, toilet and hot showers.

Day tickets can be purchased for a period of up to 8 hours for £9.95 or up to 16 hours for £14.95. Night fishing is possible for permit holders only and costs £20 for 24 hours.

Barston Lakes At A Glance:

Bells Mill Fishery (Halesowen)

Bells Mill Fishery is located in Prestwood, approximately 3 miles from Stourbridge.

This stunning fishery boasts a small match pool and a larger specimen lake, known as Carp Pool.

Carp Pool is just under 3 acres in size and has a total of 8 pegs, including 6 singles and 2 doubles.

This is a very mature-looking lake, with 2 central islands, overhanging trees and reed-lined margins among its main features. There are several plateaus and holes to be found, with depths ranging from 4ft in the shallows to a maximum of 12ft in the deepest parts. There are more than 100 carp inhabiting this lake, the majority of which are double-figures. There is a good head of 20lb+ fish and several that have exceeded the 30lb barrier.

The complex is completely otter fenced and has a secure car park. There are toilet facilities, a cafe and a tackle shop on-site.

Weekend bookings must be for a minimum of 24 hours, with tickets priced at £28. Day tickets are available during the middle of the week and are priced at £15.

Bells Mill Fishery At A Glance:

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Cuttle Mill Carp Fishery (Sutton Coldfield)

Cuttle Mill Carp Fishery was established as a day ticket venue in the early 1970s and is situated around 6 miles from Sutton Coldfield.

The fishery consists of two 3 acre lakes, The Long Pool and The Mill Pool.

Having previously been run as a mixed coarse fishery, the stock of silver fish in Long Pool has been reduced, leaving the carp to thrive in what is now an additional specimen lake. There is a large head of carp in Long Pool, though they are not yet rivalling their Mill Pool counterparts for size. Fishing is restricted to a maximum of 6 anglers.

Mill Pool is the main specimen lake of the complex and covers around 3 acres of water. This lake is steeped in carp fishing history, though its existence was (and still is) threatened by the development of the HS2 railway line. For the time being at least, anglers can continue to enjoy this well-stocked fishery, where the majority of the carp are upper double-figures and above. The lake record is in excess of 35lb.

Many of the local takeaways will deliver to the main gate and there are toilet facilities available.

For Long Pool, day tickets are priced at £10 all year round. For Mill Pool, day tickets are priced at £25 from April 1st until October 31st, and £20 at other times. In order to night fish, you simply need to book 2 consecutive day tickets, with the night session in the middle being free of charge.

Cuttle Mill Carp Fishery At A Glance:

Hollyhurst Lakes (Coventry)

Hollyhurst Lakes is located near Alderman’s Green, approximately 6 miles from Coventry.

The fishery comprises of a well-stocked match lake and a specimen lake.

The specimen lake extends to around 2 acres in size and boasts a central island and mature margins as its main features. The main species are carp, catfish and sturgeon.

The catfish have been captured at top weights of 25lb and the lake record carp is just over 30lb. The biggest fish in the lake is a sturgeon called “The Beast”, tipping the scales at over 70lb.

The complex has toilet facilities and ample car parking. Local takeaways will deliver to the main gate.

Day tickets for the specimen lake are priced at £12, while 24 hours sessions cost £20 and must be booked in advance.

Hollyhurst Lakes At A Glance:

Hopsford Hall Fishery (Coventry)

Hopsford Hall Fishery is located in Hopsford, around 8 miles from Coventry.

This beautiful estate lake covers around 3 acres of water and is naturally spring-fed.

The dam wall boasts the deepest area of the lake and has always been a hot spot for carp. The central island and margins are equally productive, with the latter often ignored by anglers. Most baits work well here, with sweetcorn, luncheon meat, pellets and boilies among the favourites.

Over 350 carp reside in the depths, giving an impressive 100+ fish per acre of water, with the average size being mid double-figures. A good head of 20lb+ fish exist and there have been commons and mirrors banked at in excess of 30lb.

Day tickets are priced at £10 for anglers wishing to use 2 rods. Night fishing is possible but must be booked in advance, with 24 hour tickets costing £20.

Hopsford Hall Fishery At A Glance:

Lavender Hall Fishery (Coventry)

Lavender Hall Fishery is located near Berkswell, approximately 8 miles from Coventry.

This well-established fishery has been operating since 1998 and comprises of 4 pleasure lakes and 1 specimen carp lake.

Station Lake is around 2 acres in size and boasts 8 pegs, 2 of which are doubles. There are 3 islands in the centre of the lake, which has an average depth of around 5ft. The bottom is predominantly clay, with plenty of soft silt patches.

The lake has a stock of approximately 90 carp, with a strict policy in place to ensure that this figure never exceeds 100. Half of the carp are over 20lb in weight, with 2 specimens – Smudge and Stella – already crossing the magical 30lb barrier. The remaining stock are all in the mid/upper double-figure bracket, so the future is looking extremely bright for this premium West Midlands fishery.

There is an on-site cafe and tackle shop to cater for essential fishing items as well as meals, drinks and snacks. Secure car parking and toilet facilities are also available.

Day tickets and night tickets are both valid for 12 hours and are priced at £15, with 24 hour tickets costing £27.

Lavender Hall Fishery At A Glance:

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Packington Somers Coarse Fishery (Coventry)

Packington Somers Coarse Fishery is located near Meriden, around 8 miles from Coventry.

Situated within the 4,500 acre Packington Estate, this coarse fishery boasts a total of 13 lakes.

While all of the lakes stock mixed coarse species, 10 in particular are aimed at pleasure anglers, with the remaining 3 lakes holding the larger carp of the complex.

Willow Pool has 13 pegs and boasts a good head of small carp. However, there is a good number of double-figure fish, with the largest so far tipping the scales at 18lb.

Gearys Lake has 40 pegs in total, so it can get busy, but the high stock levels ensure that a bite is never too far away. There is a larger stamp of carp present in this lake, with the average size being low double-figures and the larger residents weighing in excess of 20lb.

Molands Lake holds the biggest carp on the complex, with the lake record weighing over 22lb when captured. Again, this is a mixed coarse lake and there are 60 pegs, so it can become crowded during the warmer months.

This is a beautiful complex, offering some of the finest facilities in the West Midlands. There are multiple car parks, a cafe and a tackle shop on site. The majority of the pegs are accessible for disabled anglers.

Night fishing is not allowed, but day tickets are available and are priced at £9.50. Discounts are available for morning, afternoon or evening tickets.

Packington Somers Coarse Fishery At A Glance:

Priory Pool (Halesowen)

Priory Pool is situated within Leasowes Park, which is in the grounds of Halesowen Golf Club.

With only 5 pegs available for fishing, you need to arrive early to secure your place at this popular West Midlands fishing spot.

While the exact stock level is unknown, there are plenty of double-figure carp in this lake and numerous 20lb+ fish have been banked in recent years.

As part of a public park, fishing at this lake is free of charge. Just make sure that you have a rod licence from the Environment Agency.

Priory Pool At A Glance:

Wassell Grove Fishery (Stourbridge)

Wassell Grove Fishery is located near Hagley, approximately 4 miles from Stourbridge.

The site consists of 3 lakes that are set within 20 acres of beautiful woodland, making this one of the most picturesque fishing spots in the West Midlands region.

Match Pool and Brook Pool are both aimed at pleasure anglers, with mixed coarse species present in both lakes.

Specimen Pool extends to around 2 acres in size and is where the larger fish of the complex reside. The 2 islands are the main features of this idyllic lake, which also boasts reed-lined margins and varying depths throughout.

The average size carp is low/mid double-figures, with a number of upper double-figure specimens. There are many fish in the 20lb+ bracket and the lake record is getting ever closer to the 30lb barrier.

The on-site cafe serves a full English breakfast, as well as a selection of drinks and snacks. Male and female toilet facilities are also available.

Day tickets are available from £7.50 and include the use of 2 rods. Night fishing is possible on the Specimen Pool and is priced at £15 per 24 hour session.

Wassell Grove Fishery At A Glance:

Conclusion

While many of the larger carp in the Birmingham/West Midlands region may be reserved for the syndicate waters, the list above shows that there are still plenty of opportunities to bank some decent sized carp on a day ticket.

Whether you prefer a runs water or a more testing lake, there is a multitude of options for anglers who live in the area and those who are visiting from further afield.

Have you ever fished any of the lakes mentioned in this article? If you have, please let me know how you got on in the comments.