Norfolk Fishing Network 2004 - 2024 - Fisheries Information

Fishery Name: Wensum Fisheries - Clearwater Lake

Address: 10, Taverham Lane, Costessey, Norwich, Norfolk, NR8 5BE

Grid Reference: Entrance Grid Ref: TG 16262 12809 Car Park Grid Ref: TG 16427 12725

Sat Nav: NR8 5BE

Phone Numbers: 07403 925825

Email Address: [email protected]

Description: Clearwater is possibly one of the most recognised names of any Norfolk lake, synonymous throughout the eighties and nineties with big carp and tench this lake was the focus of carp fishing at Wensum Fisheries at this time and has been transformed to its former glory now holding carp to mid thirties as we move into a new era for this wonderful fishery. As the silver birch shimmer across the water through the still early morning mist you are drawn to the large patches of lily dotted throughout the lake their stems quivering as a large fish roots at their base, beautiful clear water, intimate swims and secretive snaggy bays, gravel bars and a small island this lake has it all a true classic Wensum gravel pit fishery. At around 7 acres and with depths of around 8-12ft the lake can become weedy at times throughout the summer months this generates the high water quality and an abundance of invertebrate life which gives this lake the pedigree for producing large fish and excellent growth potential which we will develop upon with selected low density stocking of carp while attempting to maintain the characteristic's of the fish once sort after from this superb lake. With night fishing allowed on the fishery after thirty years the expectation is that the few large old wary fish still present can at last be tempted with a different approach and with the introduction of a new stock of carp to mid twenties in spring 2014 and several large fish to over 24lb introduced in March 2015 the lake is well on its way to regaining its prominence as a serious water for carp anglers in Norfolk. Quality tench and bream once abundant in the lake may now be fewer in numbers but can still be tempted from the lily beds and margins with the right tactics, many of these enigmatic fish have been taken this year to 11lbs plus and with sensitive stocking we intend to bring numbers back to a level that offers a perfect balance to this wonderful fishery. With good catches of roach and rudd possible on the whip or feeder and beautiful striped perch ranging between 1-2lb there is plenty of superb fishing available for the pleasure angler. In winter the lake takes on a new apperance with the sheen of the silver birch contrasting against the stark woodland around the fishery and golden norfolk reed glowing in the low winter sun, a fanastic time to enjoy a great days pike fishing with plenty of single figure fish and the odd double these long beautiful looking pike may be small but are a real pleasure to catch.

Fish Species: Barbel Bitterling Bleak Bream Common Bream Silver Bullhead Carp Common Carp Crucian Carp F1 Carp Carp Ghost Carp Grass Carp Leather Carp Koi Carp Mirror Catfish Wels Chub Crayfish Dace Eel Goldfish Goldfish Brown Grayling Gudgeon Minnow Orfe/Ide Blue Orfe/Ide Golden Orfe/Ide Silver Perch Pike Pumpkin seed Roach Rudd Rudd Golden Ruffe Schelly Stickle back Stone Loach Sturgeon Tench Tench Golden Walleye Zander

Fishery Rules: Membership is offered on condition that the rules of the fishery are adhered to. Wensum Fisheries Management reserve the right to refuse membership application or suspend membership should any breach of the rules take place. Vehicle access to lakes is restricted to main access tracks as shown on map. Car parking permits must be displayed at all times when on the fishery. All gates must be closed after use. All vehicles must be parked in fishery car parks or allocated parking spaces. No litter we have a zero litter policy. Any angler found fishing in litter will be deemed responsible for that litter and risk losing their permit. No fires. No Bait boats. No climbing, damaging to or felling of trees. All anglers shall be in possession of a current Environment Agency rod licence and shall comply with the Salmon and Fresh Water Fisheries Acts and by-laws thereof. This licence is valid for use within the traditional open season only and is not valid after March 31st. All fish must be returned alive to the water. No fish to be brought to or taken from the fishery or moved from one lake to another. No livebaiting. No wading, swimming, bathing, paddling, boating, sailing or skating or the use of dinghies for any purposes. No one under the age of eighteen may enter the fishery unless accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of eighteen years, who will be deemed responsible for their actions and safety. All anglers must be in possession of and produce on request to fishery bailiffs a valid membership card, failing which, such angler will be asked to leave the fishery. Three rods maximum may be used on the larger lakes, two rods on small lakes and river, refer to specific pike and perch fishing rules also. All rods must be set no more than two metres apart. Whilst fishing for any species, a third rod may not be used for pike fishing. No keep-nets. No rods to be unattended or spread out in different swims. Wensum Fisheries due to the nature of our fishery have a zero tolerence policy in his matter any member found away from thier swim while leaving thier rods unattended in the water will be asked to leave the fishery. If you leave your swim reel in. Adequate sized padded unhooking mats must be used for all large fish of any species, which require unhooking on the ground. This applies to all lakes. Specimen fish should be retained for as short a period as possible before being weighed photographed and returned. All particle baits including seeds, nuts, grains, and pulses must be properly prepared including soaking for 24 hours prior to cooking. Members are expected to show consideration for other members and water users at all times and also comply with reasonable requests of fishery bailiffs. No fixed lead rigs which do not incorporate safe systems which allow the lead to pull free the rig. No Dogs allowed. Wensum Fisheries reserve the right to limit access to or close all or any part of the fishery at any time. Members wishing to leave the fishery or their swim may do so for a maximum of 3 hours without removing their tackle from the swim, having first wound their tackle in. Time-sharing of a swim (rotating occupancy)between members is not acceptable. Reserving of swims by means of placing random items of tackle in the swim is not acceptable. Anglers not present in their swim and leaving their rods unattended while fishing are committing an offence under EA National Bylaw 10 Phase 2. Swims clearly marked by a green post are designated as day fishing / stalking swims and must not be used overnight. In any period of reported high winds the fishery will be closed and members will be expected to leave the fishery. Pike Fishing Rules: Anyone wishing to fish for pike at Wensum Fisheries must have comprehensive experience of fishing for this species. No pike fishing before 1st October or after 14th March. Two rods only, this is to conserve pike stocks. Whilst pike fishing a third rod may not be used for other species. Effective bite indication registering both runs and drop back bites must be used at all times, Runs must be struck as soon as possible. Minimum breaking strain line of 15lb bs. Wire traces must always be used. Minimum 18" of 30lb wire. Treble hooks must be semi-barbed. (This means two barbless hooks with a barbed bait holding hook only). No more than two on each trace. Adequate sized landing nets must be carried and used (42" min). Spinning is allowed for perch and chub only before 1st October, but the spinner vane must not exceed 1" in length and a wire trace must be used. The use of Gags and Gaffs is prohibited. Forceps and wire cutters must be carried. Pike may be retained in tunnels or sacks only whilst camera equipment is being set up. No live baiting. Sorry but this is the only way we can ensure non - movement of fish on the site and prevent possible spread of disease, Pike fishing at night is allowed on the fishery,although pike anglers must not fish with the intention of sleeping at their rods. Eel annd Perch Fishing Rules: The pike fishing rules apply to these species with the following amendments Two rods only. Minimum breaking strain line of 6lb. Wire traces must be used for deadbaits and lures/jigs. Minimum breaking strain 10lb bs. Single hooks only. Plugs and jigs including the tail must not exceed 3" and must have single hooks only. Maximum deadbait size 3". Bird Watching Permit Rules: No litter we have a zero litter policy. Any member found around litter will be deemed responsible for that litter and risk losing their permit. No fires. No damage to or felling of trees. No swimming, bathing, paddling, boating, sailing, skating or the use of dinghies for any purpose. No camping. No one under the age of eighteen may enter the fishery unless accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of eighteen, who will be deemed responsible for their actions and safety. All members must be in possession of and produce when requested by fishery bailiffs, a valid permit, failing which such member will be asked to leave the fishery. Members are expected to show consideration to other members and water users at all times and comply with reasonable requests of fishery bailiffs. No Dogs. Wensum Fisheries reserves the right to limit access to or close all or any part of the fishery at any time. Access to the fishery is limited to between the hours of dawn to dusk. No picnics allowed. No feeding of any forms of wildlife. In any period of reported high winds the fishery will be closed and members will be expected to leave the fishery.

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