About

Newhay Lakes is a three-lake carp, coarse and match fishing complex set along a private road in Cliffe, North Yorkshire. The family-run venue has been significantly invested in and is maintained to an exceptional standard throughout — mowed banks, well-spaced pegs across all three lakes, secure otter fencing around the entire perimeter, and private car parking within a short walk of every swim. The complex offers something for the dedicated specimen carp angler, the pleasure and coarse angler, and the competitive match fisherman, with a strong and welcoming membership community at its core. The Specimen Lake is a 1.5-acre gin-clear water at the rear of the complex, home to some of the region's most impressive carp. Mirror, common and grass carp run to well over 35lb, with a substantial stock of old mirrors and commons from mid-doubles through to the high twenties. The silty bottom is broken up with areas of silk weed and clear gravel spots — finding and fishing those features is key. Eight spacious pegs offer plenty of room, and the lake rewards a methodical, technical approach. The 3.5-acre Coarse Lake is the largest water on the complex and holds 14 species — mirror, common, ghost, crucian and grass carp to 25lb alongside chub, barbel, tench, perch, rudd, roach and bream. With the right method and baiting approach it fishes as a genuine runs water, and many specimen anglers choose to fish it alongside the Specimen Lake. Gwen's Lake is the purpose-built match lake, stocked with over 18,000 fish across 23 pegs and available for both day sessions and club match hire. Night fishing is available on both the Specimen and Coarse lakes exclusively for members. Specimen lake membership is £40 per year and includes access to all three lakes with an online peg reservation system. Coarse lake membership is £20 per year, covering the coarse and match lakes with night fishing rights. The coarse lake is open to day ticket anglers without membership. A local takeaway service delivers directly to the bankside for members, and non-fishing guests are welcome strictly by prior arrangement.

Tactics & Tips

Specimen Lake: little and often approach, clear spots among silt and silk weed worth locating. No spodding or spombing permitted — bait boats allowed. Coarse Lake: runs water with correct method and bait approach. Groundbait and sweetcorn in feeders or pole cups only. Match Lake: pole and feeder methods suit the purpose-built layout with 18,000+ fish stocked.