Should carp lakes be shut when fish are spawning , I walked round a lake yesterday fish were spawning everywhere , there were 10 people fishing it all blanking surely any decent angler wouldn't bother fishing

In reply to Post #1
Last year the club I'm in shut the entire lake twice,this year they only shut parts of the lake.They had alot of members kicking off this year,wanting the whole of the lake closed to protect the fish.You will always get some idiots setting up in the swims closest to spawning fish and casting to them.I think lakes should be shut

In reply to Post #2
Absolutely agree.. Lakes should be closed. If we don't respect the fish what are we.

In reply to Post #1
Is all about money unfortunately for most day ticket lake owners. They might closes section of the lake if your lucky but that's it. On the other hand, the club I'm in shuts the lake at the first sign of spawning.

I fished a day ticket after lockdown on my first night fish started spawning. I was packed up come 4am waiting for the gates to open To go home. After a bit of a argument about getting refunded as I had only done a night and paid for 3 I wanted 2 nights refunded. I was asked if they was actually spawning as they had already spawned this year? And I could just carry on fishing if I wanted to which I refused. the next day the fishery was posting pics of carp being caught. Bit rich coming from this fishery who threaten to ban you and contact other local lakes if your caught breaking rules. Yet happily let people fish for spawning fish. Serves me right really only went because it was local after lockdown just to get out more than anything wished I would of stayed home

I think they should close for two weeks and arrange work party's, maybe reduction on ticket prices or swim reservations for the first week of opening in return for work carried out.

Agreed lakes should be closed during spawning

In reply to Post #7
If you value your most important asset you will always do what is best for them ..close the lake and let them recover
We no longer have to shut down for the close season so I cannot believe people are concerned about missing a couple of weeks.
Our lake closed twice last year For spawning and I have the utmost respect for the owners for doing it

In reply to Post #8
Yup, totally agree with you mate

It's the story of the golden egg laying goose....

The EA / AT should be able to force lakes to close for spawning. IMHO

I don't know any carp waters that don't shut for spawning round my way tbh that's club, day ticket or syndi. Match lakes or pleasure lakes with carp in them rarely shut for any type of spawning.

I'll just add that simply closing isn't as good as closing but feeding the fish a decent quality pellet or boilie to help them regain energy and recover better. Or allowing prebaiting.

In reply to Post #1
I am slightly surprised that one of my clubs only shut a part of one of their lakes when the fish were spawning and this is a lake with a large head of big carp. It is very heavily fishing by some pretty good anglers, I wonder if they all pulled off when the fish were spawning?

The weakest link is the anglers fishing and unless you have a group who you trust then the lake should be shut and the fish left alone.

The reason for the above is in my experience not all the fish will spawn or spawn at the same time so opportunities can be found elsewhere on the lake.

The only way you will ever completely protect the fish is to close for a month, maybe 6 weeks.

The problem with closing at the first sign of spawning is that more damage can be done in the few days before they start than when they have finished, (they aren't interested during, that's for sure!).

It's not the owner who should take responsibility for not fishing when carp are spawning it's the Angler. I love to go over my syndicate when their spawning as for a rod they stay home until our bailiff says they have stopped. If all us Anglers took that approach open lakes wouldn't be fished.
No one forces us to fish...

In reply to Post #15
I agree.