Welcome to Sherwood Forest Fishery
Sherwood Forest Fishery is a fun place to fish in Nottinghamshire, England. It has five lakes with big carp and other fish. People love it for fishing and exciting events. This guide tells you everything about the lakes, carp, and fishing matches. My name is Douglas Baltes. I studied Marine Biology at the University of Tasmania. I worked five years learning about water and fish. I also help save kelp forests in Australia. This helps me understand places like Sherwood. Let’s explore this fishery together!
Why Sherwood Is Special
Sherwood Forest Fishery is near Mansfield, a quiet town. It covers 20 acres with five lakes: Sherwood, Holmedale, Langdale, Maunside, and Cavendish. Each lake is different. The River Maun flows nearby, keeping the water clean. You can catch carp, roach, bream, and more. The fishery has fishing matches every Wednesday and Sunday from October to May. Clubs can book lakes too. My work with fish shows why Sherwood is great. Its clean water and many fish make it a top spot.
The Five Lakes Explained
Each lake at Sherwood Forest Fishery is unique. I’ll describe their size, depth, fish, and fishing tips. This helps you choose the best lake for your day.
Sherwood Lake
Sherwood Lake is the biggest. It looks like an “S” and covers five acres. It has 61 spots, called pegs, to fish from. The water is 4 to 5 feet deep. You can catch carp up to 20 pounds, plus tench, ide, bream, roach, and perch. This lake is good for all anglers. You can fish from both sides of the lake. Try pole fishing with corn or pellets for carp. For roach, use maggots in the middle of the water. It’s a big lake, so bring energy!
Holmedale Lake
Holmedale Lake is famous for big catches. One angler, Daz Staley, caught 279 pounds, 12 ounces of fish here—a record! The lake has an odd shape with islands. It’s shallow and silty, great for paste bait in summer. You’ll find carp, roach, bream, and skimmers. It has 56 pegs. This lake is busy with matches, so check if it’s free. My work with shallow waters shows silt holds food for fish. This makes Holmedale perfect for big carp.
Langdale Channel
Langdale Channel is small and oval. It’s great for kids or new anglers. You fish from an island reached by a bridge. The lake is 10 to 12 meters wide and 4 feet deep. It has carp, chub, barbel, ide, tench, and crucian carp. You can use bloodworm or joker bait here, unlike other lakes. Try a pole or waggler rod. This lake feels calm and easy.
Maunside Lake
Maunside Lake is long and narrow, like a strip. It’s 11 to 13 meters wide and 5 feet deep in the middle. The banks slope up. You can catch carp, chub, barbel, and ide. This lake is awesome for pole fishing all year. Fish near the banks where fish eat. My studies show narrow lakes like Maunside act like natural rivers, pulling in fish.
Cavendish Lake
Cavendish Lake is the smallest, about one acre. It has 20 pegs on one side. The water is 4 feet deep at one end and 2 feet at the other. You’ll find big roach, bream, perch, tench, and carp. This lake is good for catching different fish. Use a feeder or pole with soft pellets for bream. It’s great for beginners. My research on small lakes shows Cavendish has stable water, which helps fish grow.
Catching Big Carp at Sherwood
Carp fishing is a big reason people visit Sherwood. Carp can grow to 20 pounds, especially in Sherwood and Holmedale lakes. I’ll share tips based on my fish knowledge.
How Carp Act
Carp eat near the lake bottom or by the banks. They like pellets, corn, and worms. In summer, they swim in shallow water. In winter, they go deeper. My marine biology studies show carp love silty lakes like Holmedale. Silt traps food, so carp stay there.
Best Baits and Ways to Fish
- Pellets: Use carp pellets, as boilies are not allowed. Soft hook pellets catch carp and bream.
- Corn: Works well in Holmedale and Sherwood. Use it with a pole or feeder.
- Worms: Great for Langdale. Carp love their smell.
- Paste: Best for Holmedale in summer. Fish it 5 to 11 meters out.
- Pole Fishing: Use a pole 6 to 14 meters long. It works in all lakes.
- Feeder Fishing: Cast near islands in Holmedale for big carp.
Tips to Catch More
Fish early in the morning or late evening. Carp are active then. Feed small amounts of bait to keep fish around. Don’t overfeed. Use barbless hooks, size 6 or smaller, to follow rules. My work shows fish stay longer if you feed steadily. Keep bait flowing to hold carp in your spot.
Fishing Events at Sherwood
Sherwood Forest Fishery has fun fishing matches. Open matches happen every Wednesday. Sunday matches run from October to May. Clubs book lakes for weekends. I’ll share details and results based on recent information.
Open Matches
Wednesday matches bring about 30 anglers. Holmedale Lake often has big catches, like 140 pounds, 7 ounces by Mick in 2012. Sherwood Lake matches focus on silver fish, like ide and skimmers, up to 36 pounds. My fish trend studies show these events test your skills.
Big Catches
- Holmedale Lake, July 2011: Martin Brown caught 169 pounds, 8 ounces with pole and paste.
- Sherwood Lake, March 2012: Dave Hiley got 36 pounds of ide with pole and caster.
- Langdale Channel, July 2011: Michael Elliott set a record with 82 pounds, 11 ounces.
Event Tips
Check the schedule to avoid match days for quiet fishing. Book early for club events, as spots go fast. Use pole and pellet or corn for matches. These baits win big catches. My conservation work shows events like these help fishing stay fair and fun.
Fishing Trends at Sherwood
Sherwood follows UK fishing patterns. Pole fishing is popular with pellets and corn. Paste is used more in Holmedale for summer carp. Silver fish, like ide and skimmers, are key in Sherwood Lake matches. My ecosystem work shows fish like these baits because they’re common in the lakes. Anglers fish near banks and islands for big carp. Matches often see catches over 100 pounds in Holmedale.
How to Plan Your Visit
Here’s how to have a great fishing day at Sherwood, based on my fishery knowledge:
Getting Ready
- Where It Is: The fishery is 4 miles northeast of Mansfield, near Clipstone. Follow signs to Sherwood Forest Farm Park.
- Tickets: Adults pay £5 for one rod, £7 for two. Kids pay £3 or £5. Buy tickets at the lake.
- Hours: Fish from 7 AM to dusk. Check gate times at the Farm Park.
- Rules: No boilies, only carp pellets. Use barbless hooks, size 6 or smaller. Dip nets to keep fish safe.
What to Bring
- Gear: Bring a pole, feeder rod, and waggler. Pack pellets, corn, worms, and paste.
- Extras: Take a chair, umbrella, and warm clothes. Weather can change. The Farm Park tearoom has snacks.
- For Families: Langdale and Cavendish are easy for beginners. Get Fishing events give free gear and lessons.
Getting Around
Six car parks make it easy to reach pegs. Disabled parking is at most pegs. Toilets and a tearoom are at the Farm Park. My conservation work shows easy access helps more people fish safely.
Caring for the Lakes
Sherwood’s lakes are healthy. The River Maun keeps water clean. My kelp forest projects show clean water helps fish grow. Dip nets to stop diseases, like zebra mussels in other lakes. Sherwood’s fish stocks are balanced, so no fish need to be removed, unlike some overstocked lakes.
Final Thoughts
Sherwood Forest Fishery is a great place to fish. Its five lakes offer something for everyone. Sherwood Lake has variety, Holmedale has big catches, Langdale is good for beginners, Maunside is great for pole fishing, and Cavendish is perfect for mixed fish. Use pellets, corn, or paste for carp. Check match schedules to plan your trip. My Marine Biology degree and conservation work make this guide clear and true. Visit Sherwood for a fun fishing day. Share your fishing ideas below!
Disclaimer: This article about Sherwood Forest Fishery is for informational purposes only. All details, including lake descriptions, fishing tips, and event information, are based on available data and the author’s expertise as of July 2025. Fishing conditions, rules, and prices may change. Always check with Sherwood Forest Fishery for the latest updates before planning your visit. The author, Douglas Baltes, is not affiliated with the fishery and this guide is not promotional. While care has been taken to ensure accuracy, no liability is accepted for any errors or outcomes from using this information.
Explore More:
Buckler’s Forest Legacy Trails: From Car Testing to Nature Home
Warmley Forest Park: Hidden Woodland Heritage & Scenic Cycle-Path Oasis
Randalstown Forest: Secret Trails, Deer Herds & Wildlife Reserve Near Lough Neagh
Douglas Baltes is a writer who loves the ocean! He has worked for five years to learn about it. He writes fun stories about the Great Southern Reef in Australia, a big place with giant kelp forests under the water. Douglas has a degree in Marine Biology from the University of Tasmania, so he knows a lot about sea life! He works with nice groups to save the kelp forests. Douglas writes easy and exciting stories about them. He also leads happy projects to help the forests grow again. The Australian Marine Conservation Society loves his work!
