The lake is closed due to spawning.... This is going to be a long two weeks.
Time for a spring clean through the tackle and remove the gear I don't use...
Time for a spring clean through the tackle and remove the gear I don't use...
In reply to Post #1
I expect a lot of lakes will be in the same situation within the next few days...
I expect a lot of lakes will be in the same situation within the next few days...
In reply to Post #1
For a change the timing is perfect as have loads planned for the next few weekends with the family so wouldn't have fished anyway. Seeing numerous lakes all starting to go now which isn't a surprise as we are just starting what is meant to be a period of decent settled weather
For a change the timing is perfect as have loads planned for the next few weekends with the family so wouldn't have fished anyway. Seeing numerous lakes all starting to go now which isn't a surprise as we are just starting what is meant to be a period of decent settled weather
In reply to Post #1
Mate of mine is fishing a very hard water, it's been a dire spring and he now tells me that the lake has been shut for the next month due to spawning. He's delighted!!
Mate of mine is fishing a very hard water, it's been a dire spring and he now tells me that the lake has been shut for the next month due to spawning. He's delighted!!
In reply to Post #1
Get on the catfish!!! Usually spawn after carp.
Get on the catfish!!! Usually spawn after carp.
Nailed on this was going to happen 
Weather has been poor, for the next couple of weeks like flicking a switch, they will be at it!
Not going to fish. Got 10kg of bait that's going in this weekend, away for a week then see what's happening when I'm back, leave them at it
Weather has been poor, for the next couple of weeks like flicking a switch, they will be at it!
Not going to fish. Got 10kg of bait that's going in this weekend, away for a week then see what's happening when I'm back, leave them at it
In reply to Post #6
They started on my local lakes this morning. I've been watching them for the last couple of hours it has always fascinated me.
They started on my local lakes this morning. I've been watching them for the last couple of hours it has always fascinated me.
In reply to Post #7
Pervert
Pervert
In reply to Post #1
Yet, all across the land, greedy lake owners will take a score off people who still insist on chucking 2oz leads on the heads of spawning fish.
Yet, all across the land, greedy lake owners will take a score off people who still insist on chucking 2oz leads on the heads of spawning fish.
In reply to Post #9
Just don't fish those lakes..
Just don't fish those lakes..
In reply to Post #1
I feel your pain. I'd just prepped all my bait, lugged all my gear downstairs for a planned 48 hour sesh, half packed my car and boom! a Facebook post closing the lake I would of been heading to at 4am tomorrow morning. Talk about an exercise in futility, everything back upstairs again.
Two weeks before I can get out again.
I feel your pain. I'd just prepped all my bait, lugged all my gear downstairs for a planned 48 hour sesh, half packed my car and boom! a Facebook post closing the lake I would of been heading to at 4am tomorrow morning. Talk about an exercise in futility, everything back upstairs again.
Two weeks before I can get out again.
In reply to Post #7
If you can get a good vantage point it's the perfect time of year to see EXACTLY what's in a lake
If you can get a good vantage point it's the perfect time of year to see EXACTLY what's in a lake
Local club has just sent out a spawning message here in Cheshire, won't be long before they're all at it.
Yep. The carp on my syndicate started on Saturday so closed for a month. Fish care like it should be
In reply to Post #1
One of my local Clubs have shut for 2 weeks, another remains open and advises to fish out to open water and away from areas of spawning.
I like the approach of the 2nd club, not all fish spawn at same time (carp seem to take precedence atm) and not all carp spawn. they will only spawn certain areas also, so if clubs can close of parts of lakes all the better.
You have to take into consideration the general anglers - their quarry spawn at differing times yet the lakes dont close when roach/rudd/bream are at it
One of my local Clubs have shut for 2 weeks, another remains open and advises to fish out to open water and away from areas of spawning.
I like the approach of the 2nd club, not all fish spawn at same time (carp seem to take precedence atm) and not all carp spawn. they will only spawn certain areas also, so if clubs can close of parts of lakes all the better.
You have to take into consideration the general anglers - their quarry spawn at differing times yet the lakes dont close when roach/rudd/bream are at it
In reply to Post #14
What about everyone angling up until the point they start spawning?
What about everyone angling up until the point they start spawning?
In reply to Post #16
As there is no way to accurately predict spawning the only other safe option is not to angle at all. Unless of course you ignore fish welfare completely and carry on regardless as many hook danglers seem happy to do.
As there is no way to accurately predict spawning the only other safe option is not to angle at all. Unless of course you ignore fish welfare completely and carry on regardless as many hook danglers seem happy to do.
My lake is big, so they close down the areas where they spawn rather than the whole lake. Even so I won't be going there for a while to give them a chance to do their business and have a bit of peace after. I don't want to fish when they are getting ready, spawning or just finished spawning.
In reply to Post #18
Spawning fish should be left alone fullstop no fishing open water or opposite end of the lake.
We fish 12 months a year these days 2-4 week break no drama during this stressful time.
Good news the weather forecast is good they should therefore get it done without interuptions....
Spawning fish should be left alone fullstop no fishing open water or opposite end of the lake.
We fish 12 months a year these days 2-4 week break no drama during this stressful time.
Good news the weather forecast is good they should therefore get it done without interuptions....
In reply to Post #17
Of course there is no sure fire way of predicting spawning times, but as the person alluded to that its proper fish care not to fish for them for a month after spawning, but it's ok to stick a hook in them a day before, doesn't seem the best fish care to me??
Obviously the old close season generally took care of all this for us
Of course there is no sure fire way of predicting spawning times, but as the person alluded to that its proper fish care not to fish for them for a month after spawning, but it's ok to stick a hook in them a day before, doesn't seem the best fish care to me??
Obviously the old close season generally took care of all this for us
In reply to Post #20
No argument there.
No argument there.
In reply to Post #16
The guys turned up to the lake sat morning and could see spawning so notified the owner and everyone went home. Simples. Hard to tell when fish are going to spawn so as soon as they do it's rods away for a month
The guys turned up to the lake sat morning and could see spawning so notified the owner and everyone went home. Simples. Hard to tell when fish are going to spawn so as soon as they do it's rods away for a month
In reply to Post #19
Good point re the prolonged heat spell, last few years has been a little 'bitty' with fragmented spawning, on my waters anyway
Good point re the prolonged heat spell, last few years has been a little 'bitty' with fragmented spawning, on my waters anyway
Funny thing is that not so long ago lakes didn't close when the carp were spawning, and they often spawned after the season had started and yet there were no more carp deaths than there are now.
In reply to Post #19
That's the one Ryan - if only people abided by that. Just drove past some well known Farnham Angling lakes on my way to work, car park is rammed with motors (van convention). Read on a previous FB post that fish were spawning yesterday..............crackers.
Doesn't help when "superstars" are at it also. Just like Sharpes capture of the Burghfield Common, caught it amongst spawning fish. Doesn't count in my book....sorry to burst any bubbles.
Be lucky.
Jay
That's the one Ryan - if only people abided by that. Just drove past some well known Farnham Angling lakes on my way to work, car park is rammed with motors (van convention). Read on a previous FB post that fish were spawning yesterday..............crackers.
Doesn't help when "superstars" are at it also. Just like Sharpes capture of the Burghfield Common, caught it amongst spawning fish. Doesn't count in my book....sorry to burst any bubbles.
Be lucky.
Jay
Hoping they don't start now at my local lake, I've just been prebaiting and seen them on the spot eating it, looking great for my session planned later this week. Fingers crossed! But I agree that fish should be left alone when spawning, its a mark of respect for our quarry, for example the river closed season gives the fish peace to do their natural practises, which I think there should be as somewhat in lakes and stillwaters in general, just a short period of time to allow the fish to have a break from being caught and to produce the fish of the future. Nothing excuses disturbing them while they are spawning, they should be left in peace imho.
Had news today that their still at in so it's closed for another week.... Best I pick up some more bait and sort a few more new rigs in preparation..... 
At least the weather has been consistently good so it's all done in one go...
At least the weather has been consistently good so it's all done in one go...
In reply to Post #1
Hoping they hold out till the Euros kick off 😂
Hoping they hold out till the Euros kick off 😂
All was slowing up on my place Thurs, at a crawl now, I'll give it another week though.
We are so lucky we can catch fish full of spawn ,"pre spawning that is , at their biggest weights" , taking them out of their neutral buoyancy environment , to let them thrash away on a mat , lift them up for a photo or two whilst their belly hangs down due to gravity ,hoping we don't drop them in the mean time .
Thank goodness we stop fishing for them after they have spawned when they are hungry
Thank goodness we stop fishing for them after they have spawned when they are hungry
In reply to Post #30
And exhausted from the effort of spawning. We should all leave them be for two weeks afterwards so they can recover, so that we don't damage them as a result of tiring them even more and going through the process of unhooking, photos and weighing.
And exhausted from the effort of spawning. We should all leave them be for two weeks afterwards so they can recover, so that we don't damage them as a result of tiring them even more and going through the process of unhooking, photos and weighing.
We closed down our lake for 2 weeks when they started, then it went cold the day after, so that was made down to 1 week.
It hadn't been that warm either beforehand.
Now it is warmer again, a few have gone for it again, but not every fish is trying to spawn, there are some right up the other end of the lake not interested.
We are leaving the shallows alone, not fishing near those that are still in the area.
It hadn't been that warm either beforehand.
Now it is warmer again, a few have gone for it again, but not every fish is trying to spawn, there are some right up the other end of the lake not interested.
We are leaving the shallows alone, not fishing near those that are still in the area.
In reply to Post #1
. . .ours now closed until the 28th . . .perfect timing for bit of barbel bashing . . !
. . .ours now closed until the 28th . . .perfect timing for bit of barbel bashing . . !
I was once on a lake in France in late April/ early May. It's a lake owned by a well known person, especially of late.
I was fishing an isolated arm off the main lake and could see the fish chasing and rolling in the reeds. I mentioned it to the owner who said I was wrong and was quite dismissive. I knew I was right and moved out into the main lake to give the spawning area a wide berth.
After a couple of days I walked around to the area and the owner was there watching. The whole area had broken reeds and ripped up weed floating on the surface. He still denied that spawning was taking place.
As we left, another 8 turned up.
I was fishing an isolated arm off the main lake and could see the fish chasing and rolling in the reeds. I mentioned it to the owner who said I was wrong and was quite dismissive. I knew I was right and moved out into the main lake to give the spawning area a wide berth.
After a couple of days I walked around to the area and the owner was there watching. The whole area had broken reeds and ripped up weed floating on the surface. He still denied that spawning was taking place.
As we left, another 8 turned up.
In reply to Post #34
I just write off the end of May and all of June in my calendar as far as fishing is concerned these days tbh.
Go and do other stuff with friends and family.
I do not wish to risk/be fishing for spawning carp regardless of what the lake owners do or do not allow.
I also dont want to catch them in the following few weeks when they are still recovering and in poor condition.
Leave them alone and get back out in July.
The way Jerry Hammond does it on his lake is spot on imo, 6 weeks closed from when they start with a draw for swims when it reopens and baiting up allowed ahead of that.
I just write off the end of May and all of June in my calendar as far as fishing is concerned these days tbh.
Go and do other stuff with friends and family.
I do not wish to risk/be fishing for spawning carp regardless of what the lake owners do or do not allow.
I also dont want to catch them in the following few weeks when they are still recovering and in poor condition.
Leave them alone and get back out in July.
The way Jerry Hammond does it on his lake is spot on imo, 6 weeks closed from when they start with a draw for swims when it reopens and baiting up allowed ahead of that.
In reply to Post #35
Have a go for barbel mate! Your missing out on some great sport as barbel are powerful and as beautiful as carp, more actually imo, and they're great fun to catch. Plus fishing on a river such as the Wye is a pleasure, the scenery is beautiful and so are the fish. Seriously mate, I would recommend going and trying out for them at the start of the open season for rivers, you won't regret it!
Have a go for barbel mate! Your missing out on some great sport as barbel are powerful and as beautiful as carp, more actually imo, and they're great fun to catch. Plus fishing on a river such as the Wye is a pleasure, the scenery is beautiful and so are the fish. Seriously mate, I would recommend going and trying out for them at the start of the open season for rivers, you won't regret it!
In reply to Post #35
Agree Jim.
Top bloke Jerry Hammond, just look at his Carthegna fish. lovely venue and stunning carp, all down to quality fish management.
Agree Jim.
Top bloke Jerry Hammond, just look at his Carthegna fish. lovely venue and stunning carp, all down to quality fish management.
In reply to Post #35
Agree, and the worse thing is to catch the Fish post spawning when they're hungry, absolutely knackered and in bad shape.
Couple of catches =
Agree, and the worse thing is to catch the Fish post spawning when they're hungry, absolutely knackered and in bad shape.
Couple of catches =
In reply to Post #38
Billericay club refused to close their waters and people have carried on fishing for carp as they spawn. Beggers belief, but on one water of theirs, a dozen or so fellas did a whole weekend with carp actively spawning the whole time they were there. Several of us complained to the club, zero action. I don't know who's worse, the club for not closing the waters or the idiot noddies for continuing to fish. Unreal. As soon as they start to spawn, that's it, pack up, go home - do something else or fish for something else. Hard to fathom the mindset of some 'carp' anglers these days. I'll be on the Trent chasing Barbel for the next few weeks - the carp can wait and who wants to catch post spawn fish anyway - let them recover, give them some space and everyone benefits, even the fish... win, win.
Billericay club refused to close their waters and people have carried on fishing for carp as they spawn. Beggers belief, but on one water of theirs, a dozen or so fellas did a whole weekend with carp actively spawning the whole time they were there. Several of us complained to the club, zero action. I don't know who's worse, the club for not closing the waters or the idiot noddies for continuing to fish. Unreal. As soon as they start to spawn, that's it, pack up, go home - do something else or fish for something else. Hard to fathom the mindset of some 'carp' anglers these days. I'll be on the Trent chasing Barbel for the next few weeks - the carp can wait and who wants to catch post spawn fish anyway - let them recover, give them some space and everyone benefits, even the fish... win, win.
Pulled off the lake today because the fish were starting to have a go only to meet a sponsored angler who I informed that they were Spawning said oh well il just fish away from them 🤷♂️
In reply to Post #40
Just remember guys not everyone is a great angler, some people just will not now about spawning fish will they. I wouldn't fish for them,educate educate.
Just remember guys not everyone is a great angler, some people just will not now about spawning fish will they. I wouldn't fish for them,educate educate.
In reply to Post #36
Noooooo please don't, barbel are often still spawning well into July and are even more vulnerable than carp in low oxygen and low flow conditions. Far too many go belly up on the popular rivers in the summer due to poor handling. They're a rare creature in some parts now so best wait until at least August before trying to catch them.
Noooooo please don't, barbel are often still spawning well into July and are even more vulnerable than carp in low oxygen and low flow conditions. Far too many go belly up on the popular rivers in the summer due to poor handling. They're a rare creature in some parts now so best wait until at least August before trying to catch them.
In reply to Post #42
Really, gosh didn't know that. I did know that they can decide to spawn after the closed season has ended, but not well into july. Will take that into consideration for this summers barbel fishing. Thanks mate
Really, gosh didn't know that. I did know that they can decide to spawn after the closed season has ended, but not well into july. Will take that into consideration for this summers barbel fishing. Thanks mate
In reply to Post #41
Then it's down to the lake owner to do that by closing surely
Then it's down to the lake owner to do that by closing surely
In reply to Post #44
Club I was on couple yrs ago just allow people to fish 😡 some lads on the lake put a sign up saying closed due to spawning and got in trouble with the club. ****ing madness
Club I was on couple yrs ago just allow people to fish 😡 some lads on the lake put a sign up saying closed due to spawning and got in trouble with the club. ****ing madness
My syndicate is still closed due to spawning .....
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