Catton Park Lakes

Catton Park Lakes is a proper private-estate syndicate between Walton-on-Trent and Alrewas in Derbyshire. This isn’t a turn-up-and-have-a-cast sort of venue. Membership is by invitation, with no day tickets or casual visitor fishing advertised, so it’s very much one for anglers who secure a place through the fishery’s own arrangements.

• 2 lakes: Catton Park Lake, Members-only River Trent stretch
• Fish: carp, bream, roach, barbel, chub, pike, perch
• Tickets from: Annual adult membership — latest accessible listing — £450
• Find it: Walton-on-Trent · DE12 8LN

Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.

Catton Park Lakes is a proper private-estate syndicate between Walton-on-Trent and Alrewas in Derbyshire. This isn’t a turn-up-and-have-a-cast sort of venue. Membership is by invitation, with no day tickets or casual visitor fishing advertised, so it’s very much one for anglers who secure a place through the fishery’s own arrangements.

The main stillwater is approximately 10 acres and holds carp plus other coarse fish. Carp are reported to exceed 40 lb, which puts a serious lump in the frame for anyone chasing a proper PB rather than simply filling a net. The water is described as a three-rod venue, giving members scope to work different areas, although the exact approach will come down to the peg, conditions and what the fish are showing on the day.

Membership also includes a members-only stretch of the River Trent. That’s a cracking bit of variety, with the stillwater offering a more controlled lake approach and the river bringing its own mix of flow, water level and seasonal conditions. Before planning a session, it’s worth asking the fishery or bailiffs which areas are available, whether any estate events affect access and what the current advice is for both the lake and river.

This is not a chuck-it-out-and-wander-off setup. Only one peg may be occupied, rods must not be left unattended and anglers must not leave their peg for more than two hours unless that has been arranged with the fishery or bailiffs. Locked, secure estate parking is available, but the gate must be locked after entering or leaving. Bring everything needed for the session, as visitors aren’t allowed and a forgotten bit of kit could mean a proper faff.

The fish-care rules are tight, as you’d expect on a serious syndicate water. Three rods maximum, barbless hooks only, minimum hook size 8 and at least 12 lb main line. Braided main lines, fixed rigs and beachcaster rigs are prohibited. A landing net, unhooking mat, water tub and first-aid or medical kit are required, while every capture must be weighed and photographed on both sides before the images are sent to the fishery for stock monitoring. Keepnets, sacks and retaining fish are prohibited.

Bait choices need checking before packing the bucket: live bait, dead bait, nuts and bait boats are prohibited, and wading isn’t allowed. Nets and dip nets must be disinfected or dipped every visit, so have that sorted before arrival. Adult membership is reported at £450 on the latest listing, although an older directory gives £325, so confirm the current figure, payment arrangements and renewal details if offered a place. An English rod licence is also required, and occasional estate events can restrict access beyond the fishery’s control.

Good background reading. Most of it is a few years old, so treat it as a starting point and ask on the day.

Videos linked by the fishery

• Our read

  Checked Sept '26 — “Catton Park Lakes is a private, invitation-only syndicate on the Catton Hall estate near Walton-on-Trent. The membership covers an approximately 10-acre stillwater plus a members-only stretch of the River Trent, with carp reported over 40 lb.”

This is our own summary of recurring public feedback and the venue details we checked, not a copied customer review or a promise you’ll catch. Feedback changes, so we keep it separate from the Tackle Index score.