🎣 Dearden’s Carp Fishery — Overview

Dearden’s Carp Fishery is a private, gated specimen carp lake located in Bury, Greater Manchester. It is operated exclusively for BDAS Gold Members, making it a quiet, controlled venue aimed at serious carp anglers rather than casual day‑ticket visitors.

The lake is known for its high‑quality carp stock, with verified fish reaching 31 lb, and a consistent head of upper‑20s fish.

🐟 Stock & Notable Fish

Dearden’s is managed as a specimen-only water, and its stock reflects that:

• Mirror carp regularly into the upper 20s and low 30s

• Ghost carp over 24 lb

• Occassional Tench to around 7 lb

• A healthy number of doubles and low‑20s to keep sessions active

These weights are confirmed through BDAS catch reports on Swimbooker.

🏞️ What the Venue Is Like

Anglers consistently describe Dearden’s as:

• Quiet and controlled — access is limited and monitored

• Well‑maintained — pegs, paths, and welfare equipment are kept in good condition

• Low‑pressure — far fewer anglers than commercial day‑ticket waters

• Ideal for longer, focused carp sessions

It’s the opposite of a busy commercial fishery. Instead, it’s designed for anglers who want a serious, peaceful, specimen‑hunting environment.

🪪 Membership Requirements

To fish Dearden’s, you must hold:

• BDAS Gold Membership

  • This includes access to all BDAS waters plus Dearden’s Carp Fishery

• A valid Environment Agency rod licence

There is no day‑ticket option, and no juniors are allowed on this venue.

Dearden’s Carp Fishery Specific Rules.

1. All General rules apply to this water with the following included on this water. 

2. Dearden’s carp fishery is by booking only, this is done via your member account, anyone not booked on will be asked to leave.

3. Maximum of 4 booking slots per week (1 slot = 12 hours).

4. Maximum session length is 48 hours (maximum 4 continuous booking slots). In the interest of fairness this may be reduced to 24 hours (2 booking slots) during busy periods, the committee will monitor this.

5. No Juniors allowed on Dearden’s carp fishery.

6. Two rod rule applies with the exception of 3 rods during the period of 1st November to and inclusive 28th February only.

7. Minimum of 12lb line must be used at all times, 10lb hook lengths may be used when floater fishing.

8. No braided line or braid shock leaders.

9. Fishing is from the provided pegs, 1 angler per peg, (no doubling up).

10. No fishing from vehicles, you must bivvy up in the bivvy pegs provided.

11. Cradles, Nets and slings are provided, these are located in the dedicated store, the register must be filled out on arrival and departure. Anyone found using anything other than ones provided will be asked to leave and suspended pending committee meeting.

12. Micro barbed hooks only.

13. Boilie and pellet only on this water. With the exception of rule 14.

14. Maggot, worm, castors and tinned sweetcorn can only be used during the period of 1st November to and inclusive of 28th February.

15. A maximum of 1 pint of Maggot per day can be used during the period of rule 14.

16. A maximum of half a kilo of tinned sweetcorn per day can be  used during the period of rule 14.

17. All rigs must be safe in the event of a line break or snag up, bailiffs will carry out checks.

18. All anglers must have a carp care product in possession at all times, failure to show to a bailiff will result in you being asked to leave the water.

19. No guests. Members are allowed to visit other members for short periods e.g. To take photos.

20. No pets allowed.

21. Bait boats are allowed, however if the bailiff is called out to retrieve a bait boat due to a flat battery or it becoming stuck it will be recovered at a cost of £20 and will be recovered as soon as one of the team is available.

22. All 20lb+ fish should be reported via the club members page or via WhatsApp number 07539272653 to monitor weight growth, any 25lb+ fish, please contact one of the team immediately (we may wish to attend site).

23. Please use the toilet provided and keep it clean and tidy for all other members, please bring your own toilet roll and sanitiser.

24. There will be two weeks in the spring and the autumn exclusive for members who have completed a work party. Dates are TBC.

These rules are strict because the water is managed as a specimen venue with high welfare standards.

From the A58 (Bolton Road) turn on to Author Street and follow the road round as it then becomes Wellington Street. Continue down Wellington Street towards the railway arches, take the last right before the arches onto Cherry Tree Lane. Continue down the back of Cherry Tree Lane where you will find the gated lodge at the end of the terraces. Parking available on site for 5 vehicles.

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