The waters at Barnwell Country Park include two former gravel pit lakes, and "the Backwater" a streamy side channel of the River Nene.
The park has around 5.9ha of willow fringed lakes and 1km of river bank of which fishing is permitted on North Lake (2.48ha), Mill Lake (1.43ha). The lakes and backwater contain a natural head of coarse fish. No formal stocking has taken place.
The lakes gained quite a reputation for specimen carp with the fishery record for mirror carp standing at a massive 46lb. Unfortunately this fish died in 2005; however fish to over 30lb are still present. Pike to 28lb have been caught and other species include Tench, Roach, Perch, Chubb, Bream and Eels.
There are currently rumours of a large catfish in North Lake which, if true, must have entered as a result of flood or illegal stocking.
Of little interest to the sporting angler, but an interesting indicator of water quality the stone loach and the nationally rare spine loach are present in both the river and the gravel bottomed lakes.
The park, with its accessibility and facilities provides a good accessible venue for novices, with a reasonable stock of smaller fish. It is also a good venue for Disabled Anglers with three wheel chair accessible swims on Mill Lake and two on North Lake, with a further 4 fishing platforms on North Lake.
Tackle and techniques
Standard carp fishing techniques such as boilie fishing and stalking can both be successful, although floater fishing is not so easy owing to the numerous and regularly fed duck population.
The river backwater provides opportunities for both trotting the glides and trundling a ledger rig into the holes for the wily chub.
Getting a Ticket
Fishing is available on day tickets, concession and evening tickets, 12 month season tickets and winter season tickets.
Tickets must be purchased before you start fishing and are available at any time on a self serve basis from the Rangers Office near the park entrance.
2011-2012 Ticket Prices
| Day only ticket |
Dawn to dusk |
£5.00 |
| Concession day ticket |
12-16 yrs, senior citizens and Blue Badge holders |
£3.00 |
| Evening ticket |
After 4:30pm until dusk |
£4.00 |
| Concession evening ticket |
12-16 yrs, senior citizens and Blue Badge holders |
£2.00 |
| Season ticket |
36 hour maximum stay |
£90.00 |
| Concession season ticket |
36 hour maximum stay |
£50.00 |
| Winter ticket |
1st October to 31st March |
£50.00 |
Parking
Anglers may park free of charge, but only if the parking section of the ticket is filled out correctly and put on display in the windscreen of your car.
Toilets and Country Park shop
The toilets are open from 9am to dusk. The Country Park shop now sells sandwiches, snacks and hot drinks.
Further information
Please contact the Rangers office on telephone 01832 273435 or email barnwell@northamptonshire.gov.uk for further information.