Thorney Lakes

Thorney Lakes is laid out with anglers in mind. The lakes are purpose-built, with comfortable pegs, clear swims, and well-maintained paths that make access easy for juniors and parents alike. The calm nature of the water allows young anglers to focus on float control, feeding accuracy, and playing fish confidently without the pressures of flowing water.

Because the venue is contained and well managed, it’s particularly suitable for families who want a relaxed fishing experience without worrying about public access, towpaths, or shared use with non-anglers.

🐟 Fish Species at Thorney Lakes

The lakes are stocked with a good mix of species, keeping sessions enjoyable and varied for juniors. Expect to find healthy numbers of carp alongside traditional silver fish such as roach, rudd, skimmers, and perch.

This balance makes Thorney Lakes ideal for juniors at different stages of their angling journey — from first fish on the float to learning how to handle slightly bigger carp safely and correctly.

🎟️ Junior Fishing Tickets & Access

Fishing at Thorney Lakes is controlled, and all anglers must have the correct permissions in place.

Juniors will need:

• A valid Environment Agency Rod Licence
• A day ticket or session ticket for Thorney Lakes

Tickets are typically purchased directly from the fishery, either on arrival or via their preferred booking system. Prices and rules can vary depending on the lake being fished, so it’s always worth checking in advance, especially when planning a family visit or camping stay.

🏕️ Camping at Thorney Lakes – Fishing & Family Time Combined

One of the biggest attractions of Thorney Lakes is its on-site camping, which allows families to turn a fishing trip into a proper getaway. Camping facilities are well suited to anglers and families, making it easy to mix fishing sessions with relaxed evenings by the lakes.

For juniors, this creates a brilliant experience — fishing during the day, learning new skills on the bank, and enjoying the social side of camping with family. It’s an excellent way to introduce young anglers to longer sessions and multi-day fishing in a comfortable, supportive setting.

Camping should always be booked directly with the venue, and families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with site rules to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and respectful stay.

🎣 Why Thorney Lakes Is Ideal for Junior Anglers

Thorney Lakes offers a controlled, calm environment where juniors can really focus on learning. The stillwater setting makes it easier to understand depth, feeding patterns, and bite indication, while the variety of fish keeps confidence high.

Parents are encouraged to stay with their children while fishing, helping reinforce safe fish handling, good organisation on the peg, and responsible angling habits. It’s a venue where both children and adults can learn together.

🎓 Coaching & Skill Development

Venues like Thorney Lakes are perfect for junior coaching sessions. They allow young anglers to practise the fundamentals — setting up correctly, plumbing depth, feeding accurately, and landing fish safely — without unnecessary distractions.

These skills transfer directly to other fisheries and help juniors progress confidently to more challenging waters in the future.

🌿 Respecting the Lakes & Fish Stock

Looking after the venue is just as important as catching fish. Juniors are taught to handle fish with care, keep nets and mats wet, and leave their peg exactly as they found it.

Respecting fishery rules, fellow anglers, and the natural surroundings ensures Thorney Lakes remains a fantastic place for families and junior anglers to enjoy.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thorney Lakes suitable for beginners?
Yes — it’s an excellent venue for juniors and beginners due to calm water, good access, and consistent fishing.

Can families camp on site?
Yes. Thorney Lakes offers on-site camping, making it ideal for combining fishing with a family break.

Do juniors need a licence?
Yes. All juniors require an Environment Agency Rod Licence, even when fishing day-ticket venues.

Recommended Tackle for Thorney Lakes

Thorney Lakes is a stillwater venue, which makes it ideal for juniors to use simple, well-balanced tackle without needing anything heavy or complicated. The focus here is on control, accuracy, and learning how to play fish properly.

A light to medium float rod or pole setup is perfect for most situations, allowing juniors to target silver fish confidently while still being capable of handling carp when they turn up. As fish sizes can vary, slightly stronger mainline than you’d use on a canal helps provide reassurance without losing finesse.

During warmer months, when carp are more active, a sensible step up in strength can be helpful. This might mean slightly heavier elastic on the pole or a stronger hooklength when float fishing. It’s a great venue for juniors to learn how to adjust their tackle as fish size and feeding behaviour change.

In cooler months, lighter tackle comes back into its own. Fish feed more cautiously, and sensitive setups help juniors spot shy bites and stay connected to the fish. Overall, Thorney Lakes rewards tidy rigs and good presentation rather than power.

Recommended Baits for Thorney Lakes

Bait choice at Thorney Lakes can be kept simple, which is ideal for junior anglers and family sessions.

Maggots are consistently effective and will catch a wide range of species. They’re brilliant for keeping fish interested and are easy for juniors to use, making them a great starting point.

Sweetcorn is another excellent option, especially when carp are feeding confidently. It’s easy to hook, highly visible in clear water, and often helps produce better-quality fish.

Pellets work well throughout the warmer months and are particularly effective on carp-focused lakes. Small pellets are ideal for juniors, helping them learn controlled feeding without overdoing it.

Worms are a great natural bait, especially when targeting mixed species or perch. They can be especially effective when fishing slows down or when fish are feeding cautiously.

The key at Thorney Lakes is moderation. Feeding little and often usually produces better results than putting too much bait in at once, and it helps juniors develop good habits that will benefit them on any fishery.