Pearl Lake was created from a kettle hole – a depression in the ground left behind when a block of a ice breaks off a glacier. Originally called the New Decoy Pool, Pearl Lake wasn’t mapped before 1774, but was likely to be have been created by workers on the Bateman Estate to attract wildfowl and ducks which were then shot for the table at the ‘Big House’.
If you’re fishing at Pearl lake, be aware it’s not a dedicated fishing lake. Although it isn’t a runs water, we keep it well stocked throughout the season. Throughout the year we try to ensure that surface weed and algae are kept at bay. We also make sure there’s enough aquatic vegetation to camouflage and protect adult fish and nursery areas.
Pearl lake, which started life as an ice age pond, is in an idyllic and peaceful location. Set in some dense woodland, particularly on its western side, it’s a carp anglers paradise.
Ashley Bugden is a plumber and avid fisherman from Shobdon who’s been lucky enough to fish Pearl Lake since his partner Emma joined the team 5 years ago. Here’s his guide to fishing the lake.
I love Pearl Lake with the abundance of wildlife in and around it. Under the surface coarse fish including, tench, perch and carp slide through the water. Through the autumn months, the lake comes alive with reflections of all shades of greens, browns, and yellows, making it hard to distinguish where the tree line finishes and the lake begins!
The lake has a large population of freshwater swan mussels around the edges, which I’m pretty sure the resident carp feed upon. You can find out more about Pearl Lake and it’s history here
The fishing at Pearl Lake can have its challenges. It’s not your average run-of-the-mill West Midlands commercial pond fishery. You need to switch your angling mind on when it comes to fishing at Pearl Lake.
The lake is wild, overgrown in places, has some dense weed beds and due to being surrounded by trees the silt can be very deep in places.
But don’t let that put you off, because its challenges offer great rewards to those that persevere and tackle this great venue in the right way with the correct angling approach.
Originally the source of the Pearl Lake carp was subject to rumour. Locals suggested that they came from old stock ponds that were once owned by the Cadbury’s Chocolate factory not too far from Leominster.
Whatever their origins, a few years back most of the carp were immaculate dark old commons with real character with an air of wild carp strain about them.
These carp were anything but daft. A stealthy approach was needed when trying to catch them.
This brings me on nicely to my tactics and how I approach the carp fishing at Pearl lake. Find them, feed them, catch them. Carp location is key. You can’t catch what isn’t there. So be on the lookout for signs of carp movement.
When it comes to baiting up I try to approach all my own personal angling the same way, little and often,
I’d much rather tickle their taste buds then serve them an all you can eat buffet. I want them to compete and search out my hook bait, not over feed them.
Due to the dense weed beds and deep silt, strong tackle and light leads are the order of the day. 15 to 20lb monofilament or fluorocarbon mainlines are a must when targeting carp in the lake. Forget using 3 or 4 oz leads and huge PVA bags the size of coconuts, as this will only lead to your rig and hook bait becoming buried.
1 to 1.5oz leads on a helicopter style arrangement with a popped-up bait is the way to go. The end tackle is up to you. I like both the presentation and the simplicity of a Chod rig. It’s pretty much anti-tangle and fool proof providing you feather the lead down correctly. Most tackle manufacturers sell ready-made Chod rigs if you don’t fancy tying up your own.
I’m not a big fan of heavy baiting. That’s not to say it wouldn’t work at certain times of the year, but I much prefer a well spread scattering of bait to get the carp moving.
Back in the spring of 2023 using the above approach, I managed 6 Carp in total. All of them into double figures with the largest topping 20lb closely followed by a 19lb 1oz, 18lb 4oz, 15lb, 12lb 6oz ghost carp and a 12lb 1oz.
All the fish were in pristine condition and fought really well especially considering how cold the water was.
Hopefully I’ve helped convey the sense of wonder and mystery which shrouds this magnificent lake. It just keeps pulling me back time and again. With the right tactical approach you’ll have the opportunity to catch some immaculate carp.
Fishing is free to holiday home owners and self catering visitors at Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park. Visitors staying in their own touring caravan or motorhome or owners/visitors from our sister parks – there’s a small daily charge per person, to fish the lake.
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