Book a Swim at Earls Colne

Earls Colne Lake:

Due to limited swims at Earls Colne, a double swim is priced for 2 fisherman and not a single person.  Single fishermen are able to fish on the single swims and if wanting to book a double swim will have to pay the double swim price.  This rule ensures that it is fair for everyone, and we can maximise the opportunity for more people to fish.  *Should a double swim not be booked, the management reserves the right to offer this to a single fisherman*. 

Earls Colne is up to 30 foot deep when full, however this is an irrigation lake for the golf course and can drop by up to 8 feet, but obviously this still leaves a great depth of water.  About 3 rod lengths out (when full) and 2rod lengths when dropped, there is a drop off from 9 foot to about 22 foot and fish will often be caught on this shelf as this is a safe area. 

The whole lake is otter fenced and you have a gate on your swim that must be closed as much as possible to prevent these and other animals entering the lake.  Times are 7am-7pm and 7pm -7am and these are strict timings, this means is you are welcome to turn up at 10am but you will be booked until 7pm. Please respect other fishermen by ensuring that you do not use generators, have loud music, constant bright lights or cars running. Vehicles cannot be parked at the swims so that emergency services have full access to the whole lake.

Don't forget that kebab shops, Chinese and other takeaway venues will deliver and just make sure that you use the bin provided or take rubbish with you.

Fishing for cats? then please read the rules and ensure that you have catfish care sprays with you or you will have to go and buy or purchase at the lake. You can live bait as long as the fish are caught at the lake and you can order your maggots prior to coming to ensure that they are there on the day. If you have left over fish such as mackerel or squid, please do not just throw into the water as often these will just build up and go off, please use the big blue bin by the toilets as you can with all rubbish (do not leave in the toilets).

Swim 1:

Swim 1 on Earls Colne is one of the most popular swims and known as 'Berts' swim. Bert was the managements golden retriever who spent many nights at Earls Colne while it was being prepared to be fished by the public.  Swim 1 is a double swim and one of the largest swims on the lake.  It has lilies to the left and an aerator out in front and to the right-hand side you have great margins and the beach where many carp ad cats get caught. 

This is a stepped swim and to the left-hand side there is a walk through to swim 2 and 3 as well as a barbecue area that has to be kept clean at all times.  Barbecues are fine; however the management reserves the right to prevent fires and barbecues in extreme dry weather.  If you are a party of 5 people, then book swim 1,2,3 and you can socialise at your leisure.  

Swim 1 is the shady side of the lake, and very often fisherman prefer this side of the lake in those hot summer days and sweaty nights.  In the winter though, many prefer to be at the other side of the lake as this is warmer as the nights start to draw in.

Swim 1 is a prime swim and as with all swims you can drive up, drop gear, then park your car and come back to set up.  Dog walkers, office workers and golfers, all use this path so we ask everyone to move their car before starting to set up.  This has a private gate, but can be accessed from swim 2 and 3, but we ask that every fisherman keeps the gate closed at all times (except when going through obviously).  Don't forget that you need to dip your nets, boats, fish handling gear before fishing and ideally before you enter the swim for fish protection.

Swim 2:

Swim 2 is one of those swims that is highly under-estimated and is a place where traditionally fisherman catch some of the biggest fish on the lake.  It is probably the narrowest swim but it is absolutely a swim where the cat angler needs to be.  Right in the middle of the lake, with an aerator in front and deep water, this swim just keeps producing large cats and some stunning carp.  

Good anglers know that this swim is the place where fish travel from one end of the lake to the other during the day and especially at night.  Many people have blanked on other swims while swim 2 has produced some huge catches.  

Swim 2 is a single swim, and you must have a smallish bivvy, linked to swim 1 and 3, this swim is great for that important social and right next to the barbecue area.  

You can drive up to your swim, you can drop your gear, park your car and then go back to your swim to set up.  You must remember to dip nets and ensure that you have cat care spray otherwise you will have to leave to buy or purchase at the lake as no one fishes without fish care sprays.  

Swim 2, perfect for an individual or a group on swim 1,2 and 3.

Swim 3: 

Swim 3, the social swim and big enough for 2 one-man bivvies.  This swim is fabulous but again not the swim that many who do not know the lake choose.  To the right-hand side you have lilies and then great water in front of you.  You have depths in excess of 26 foot in front and then we need to talk about the left-hand side, an aerator, great margin fishing and a corner where you can fish up to the paddle boat aerator.  

This swim is great because it is the end that we pump water into the lake, and this attracts many fish to naturals that are coming in.  Cats and carp are seen regularly surfacing in this corner and you are in the ideal spot to catch one of the white catfish Tina, Arthur and Spartacus.  

You can again drive up to the swim, drop gear and park before returning to set up.  Swim 3 is connected to swim 1 and 2 so for the social fisherman, these are ideal.  Please keep this swim tidy and clear rubbish after you and put in the bin by the toilet.  Don't forget to dip your nets, have fish care sprays and enjoy the idyllic end of the lake.

Swim 4:

EveryoneÂ’s favourite, swim 4, a large double swim that can take the larger bivvy,(do not bring continental bivvies) but is this a mistake?  Yes, it looks carpy, yes it has the most features, yes it has 2 corners, yes it has a private gate for that extra security and safety, but is it the best swim?  

To answer this, it really depends on your methods and whether most of the fish are at the other end of the lake.  Carp do go into both corners and some of the largest amounts of fish have been caught on this swim, but also the most number of blanks have happened on swim 4.  It is just one of those places where everyone wants to be but sometimes is the hardest to fish.  

Corner, margin and lilies to the left, corner, margin and lilies to the right, deep water and aerator out in front. This swim gets no protection from the sun and in those hottest days, it is not for the faint hearted as you will frizzle in the sun so remember the sun cream.  This is also a main pathway for the golfers and therefore it is strictly,pull up, drop gear, park car, dip nets, come back to your swim and set up. We ask that NO ONE sets up before parking your car.  

Swim 4 is stunning and often you will see our resident kingfishers and robins flying around this swim and you may even get that once in a lifetime photo of the kingfisher on your rods.

Make sure you have read the rules, have the right gear to handle the fish and fish care sprays, otherwise you will have to leave to get some or buy on the lake.

Book early for swim 4, as I have said, it is the most popular swim.

Swim 5:

Swim 5 is a fully enclosed single swim that is ideal for someone that wants to be safe and on their own.  Swim 5, like swim 2, is a very underestimated swim that often produces those larger fish although doesn't look like an inviting swim.  Swim 5 is a true single swim and only has space for a single bivvy and therefor it is not really the place for couples or visitors.

To the right, you have some margin fishing, aerator in front and lilies to your left.  2 rod lengths out is the drop off that goes from 9 foot to 24 foot quickly and this is the patrol route for many of the fish that live in the lake.

Live baiting in the early part of the lake (must be caught on-site) and close in for the surprise carp.

You can drive up to the swim, drop gear and then park in the golf club car park for quickest and easiest access to your vehicle.

Don't forget to dip your nets and equipment on arrival and also make sure that you have that important carp and cat care spray, or you will have to purchase on site or from local stores.

Swim 6:

Swim 6 is another double swim that you will have to book up early to get. It is on the 'hot' side of the lake and therefore make sure that you have your sun cream on those hot summerÂ’s nights.  Swim 6 has great margins and a corner to the left, an overhanging willow tree, far banks and most will choose this side for obvious reasons, but as with other swims, do not forget the deep water right in front that always produces great fish.  On the right-hand side, you have lilies and share the aerator with swim 5, perfect place for the larger catfish.

A large swim that easily fits 2 x double bivvies, but Earls Colne is not really the right venue for international bivvies.  

You can drive up to the swim, drop gear and then park in the golf club car park before setting up.  You must have carp and cat care spray and if you turn up without, you will be told to leave and buy or buy on-site.