Leon’s Lake is a beautifully mature gravel pit dug over 60 years ago in the north-eastern French department of Meurthe-et-Moselle. Its impressive 34 acres of water boasts 2 small islands and lots of bankside cover all around the venue which the carp use, enabling them to be caught at close range in every swim. The average depth is 12 ft but with lots of gravel bars and plateaus to be found, so every swim has a choice of features as well as depths to explore.

The swims are well segregated giving a vast amount of water to all, several being large enough to allow you to comfortably double up with a friend too. There are 14 swims in total, but we will only book a maximum of 12 anglers in any one week allowing space to move.

The stock is impressive to say the least, with a current lake record of 87lb (a common) and this is backed up by another common of 77lb and six more carp over 65lb. 2021 saw a lot of fishery management work with smaller fish removed and replaced a smaller number of larger fish. The owners have other private lakes that provide a constant flow of fresh stock as and when required. We are told that currently around a third of the stock range from 45lb to 87lb plus.

Facilities include 2 toilets, 2 warm showers and 2 wash basins along with power points for re-charging batteries etc. There is safe and secure parking with vehicle access all around the lake.

Nestled in beautiful French countryside, there is a fishing tackle shop and a very large supermarket within 5 miles of the lake, just on the outskirts of Lunéville.

Description

(Under new ownership)

This is an incredibly interesting venue, with a pretty unique design, giving most swims the feeling that you have your own lake in front of you. You certainly aren’t going to be spending the week looking at all the other anglers. We instantly fell in love at first sight with this lake and commented that there was not a swim on there that we would not be happy to spend a week in.

A 4 hour drive on fast open roads through the Champagne region within a short distance from the auto-route lays the venue Maveline. You cannot help but be as excited, as we were when first setting eyes on this stunning 50 acre mature lake, which is both tranquil and beautiful, with neither noise, nor light pollution.

Standing in any of the 12 swims gives the impression of having your own private lake, such is the geography of this feature packed venue – in fact when we first viewed the place we commented that if we were to design our own lake, it would be pretty close to this!

The owner has kept the lake as natural as possible, but most swims feature a sheltered seating/cooking area made from timber which has been sourced from the lake’s surrounds. All swims have vehicle access with toilets dotted around the lake.

Unlike many venues, it is impossible to say which swims stand out since each one offers a wealth of features, both below the surface and around the margins and islands. Depths vary and go down to around 4m. Due to the many and varied features the owner allows the use of bait boats and offers the possibility of renting by prior arrangement rowing boats, or if you prefer you can bring your own boat – in both cases life jackets are mandatory.

The owner acquired the lake in 2005 after retiring from fish farming so therefore has excellent knowledge of water quality and management. The lake already had resident carp and approximately 1,000 additional carp have been introduced, with more added each winter as part of the management program, the majority of these stocked fish are over 10 kg (22 lb) when introduced. Due to the abundant natural food and indeed the angler’s contributions in this rich environment, the largest carp landed so far has exceeded 70 lb with many back-up fish and those in excess of 40 lb are now countless. A look at the pictures will reveal a mixture of commons and mirrors of varying strains to add extra interest.

With so many potential holding areas in each swim, location within the swim, is the key to success – this lake will really appeal to the thinking angler and to those willing to work for their rewards.

Imagine a beautiful tranquil 250 year old pool in lush green surroundings with carp averaging around 40lb including fish over 60 lb in a  hidden paradise that have lived and continued to grow in their home for years.

Factor in that you could be visiting it without the hassle of a car full of fishing tackle = more bodies in the car to share the fuel cost as most of the tackle is sat there awaiting your arrival, all you need to take is minimal gear. Doesn’t that sound appealing? Well it did to us and now several years on we have lots of customers who have done just that.

The lake is English owned and has been since 2007. Rather than hacking out swims all over the lake they have been carefully positioned so that there are 2 x double swims which allow you to cover all of the lake between them. As well as these two double swims there is also a single swim and even a small stalking swim if you really want to get up close and personal.

Facilities at present include a flushing toilet, wash basins and a hot shower, plus a 3 and a bit sided timber lodge ‘bush kitchen’. Electricity for recharging telephones, cameras and the like is provided by solar panels.

Inside the ‘bush kitchen’ is everything imaginable that you will need for food preparation. You can use the conventional stove, or cook outdoors on the wood burner, barbeque and a whole host of different bits available for you to experiment with if you like to cook over proper flames.

The depths of this delightful lake vary from 2 ft to around 7 ft with a gravel seam running the length of the pool which appears to be kept clean from the water which flows in at the shallow end and leaves by the corner of the dam.

The lake was drained down in 2015 and all carp under 20 lb were removed and by 2019 the minimum size appears to be almost 30lb.

If you are taking advantage of the quality tackle hire you will only need to take a minimum of tackle. You are asked to bring your own sleeping bag, reels, alarms, terminal tackle and a head torch with all other tackle essentials provided at the lake. Quality bait can be purchased on site.
There are two rowing boats on site and the lifejackets which are supplied, must be worn if the boats are used (bait boats are not allowed).

For those not wishing to fish the nights, there is also the option of a Gite which sleeps 4 people, just 6 mile from the lake, further information available upon request.

Steve, one of the owners of the lake is almost permanently on site and is incredibly helpful. He is a long-standing carp angler in his own right and certainly knows how to catch them there.

Etang Cache really is a hidden gem, way off the beaten track, surrounded by lush green countryside with no people walking by and not a car to be heard. When Shaun Harrison first visited (he soon returned too) his first words were…
“It reminds me of Redmire”.

Description

This is a new lake offered for the first time for bookings in the Spring of 2019. It is in a quiet location off the beaten track and has mature vegetation around its banks. It is 4.25 acres. The lake features an arm which opens out into a bay at one end and a dog leg of more open water at the other. From our observations the fish are quite happy to move about all over the lake, but we are restricting the number of anglers to just 5 to allow plenty of room.

The jewel is the stock of un-caught carp – the biggest having been stocked at 68lbs.

The initial stocking of carp to supplement the fish already there was made in July 2017 and included 2 mirrors and 2 commons between 46lb and 49lb and topped by a common of 52lb 9oz. These were summer weights so are likely to be at their lowest and we would anticipate these to be 50lb plus now with the common possibly nudging 60lb. These were added to a number of original carp already present. In 2018 we supplemented this with two further stockings – the highlight being 2 x 40lb mirrors and a 40lb common and a mirror of exactly 68lb.

We have tried to get a good balance of both mirrors and commons and believe the stock to be around 105 carp – the largest now should be over 70lb. As stated these fish were in immaculate condition with great proportions when stocked and almost certainly have never been caught before. This lake is not likely to be a ‘runs’ water but should appeal to the angler seeking large carp in quiet surroundings.

A choice of five swims catering for 5 anglers. The introductory price reflects the lower level of facilities on Roe Deer 2 when compared to Roe Deer 1, but there has been an on-site shower and toilet block added, as well as electricity for re-charging telephones etc. as well as a newly added kitchen area.

Arrive 1:30 pm Saturday, Leave 12 noon the following Saturday.

Venue Map

Catch Photos

Description

A very prolific venue with carp to 60 lb plus. This 7 acre lake features a large island with narrow backwater plus a large bay at the top – ideal for stalking as well as static fishing.

There’s a choice of 8 swims covering all parts of the lake. Depths vary with rising and falling water levels common in that area but generally you are looking at an average of 6 to 8 ft.

Roe Deer Lake is set in extremely peaceful and private surroundings and is named after the resident deer that are found within the lake’s surroundings. There is a large stock of both mirrors and commons with the commons forming a greater percentage of stock. This is one of the few venues in France where the carp respond really well to surface baits, so definitely take your floater gear.

Roe Deer is a comfortable drive of just over 2 hour from Calais and booking is available for a minimum of two anglers or complete lake exclusive. Arrive 1 pm Saturday, Leave 12 noon the following Saturday. Facilities must be cleared by 10 am though.