Fishery guide · Dorset
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
Higher Kingcombe Farm Lakes near Toller Porcorum is a cracking five-lake coarse and carp venue, with day tickets for DDAS members and non-members. Lodge Lake has tighter fishing hours, while DDAS members can fish overnight on Two Island and Specimen lakes.
“7.0/10 — A broad mixed species list across five coarse and carp lakes gives the venue plenty of fishing appeal.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing Centre, at Higher Kingcombe Farm near Toller Porcorum, is a proper five-lake coarse and carp setup. Three waters have names — Lodge Lake, Two Island Lake and Specimen Lake — while the other two are described as general coarse-fishing lakes. Plenty going on, then, whether you fancy a tidy day’s mixed fishing or a longer carp session.
- 4 lakes: Lodge Lake, Two Island Lake, Specimen Lake, General coarse-fishing lakes
- Fish: carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach
- Tickets from: DDAS member day ticket — £5
- Find it: Toller Porcorum · DT2 0EH
Plan your session
Fishery map of Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
Pick a pin or venue to see live bank-side conditions.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Photos courtesy of Photo: Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing (official website). See the originals. Catch dates not confirmed.
Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing Centre, at Higher Kingcombe Farm near Toller Porcorum, is a proper five-lake coarse and carp setup. Three waters have names — Lodge Lake, Two Island Lake and Specimen Lake — while the other two are described as general coarse-fishing lakes. Plenty going on, then, whether you fancy a tidy day’s mixed fishing or a longer carp session.
The venue’s species list is a decent old-school spread. Carp sit alongside crucians, bream, skimmers, tench, chub, eels, gudgeon, perch, roach and rudd. So, it’s not just a chuck-and-wait carp water. There’s scope for lighter gear and silver-fish tactics too, with enough variety to keep you busy while you work out what each swim is doing.
Day tickets are available for DDAS members and non-members. DDAS members pay £5 for daylight fishing or £10 for 24 hours on all lakes. Non-members pay £10 for a day or £20 for 24 hours. Tickets are paid for at the hut beside the cattle grid, and anglers must sign in. The car park is beside the level lakes, so the basic arrival faff looks nice and straightforward.
The fishing hours depend on the lake. Lodge Lake is the one to keep firmly in the daylight plan, running from sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset or 10pm, whichever comes earlier. DDAS members can fish overnight on Two Island and Specimen lakes, with a limit of 48 hours in any 72-hour period. If you’re planning a longer stint, check the notice board and confirm the arrangements at the hut before getting your kit out.
For a new venue like this, keep the first session flexible. Bring a couple of sensible approaches rather than banking everything on one bait or method. A lighter setup will cover the mixed coarse list, while carp gear gives you another option if the bigger fish are clearly on the munch. Have a proper look at the margins, water depth and any visible features before clipping up, and ask at the hut which areas have been producing. Bob on advice can save a lot of blank-bank faff.
The rules are worth taking seriously. Barbless hooks are required, fixed-lead rigs are prohibited and safety lead-clip systems are acceptable. Keepnets are only for silver fish and are at the fishery owner’s discretion; they must be laid on the bank for 45 minutes before use. Unhooking mats are required for fish unhooked on the ground. Tins, fires, litter and camping are prohibited, while dogs are only allowed with a DDAS dog licence. Leave gates as found, don’t disturb livestock, and check the notice board for any extra site rules before settling into the swim.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing FAQs
Where do you pay for a ticket?
In the hut adjacent to the cattle grid. Anglers must sign in on arrival.
Where should anglers park?
Use the car park beside the level lakes. Do not use the Lodge car park.
Is online booking available?
No online booking procedure is stated on the official fishery page.
Are there any extra rules?
Yes. Additional site-specific rules may be displayed on the fishery notice board.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Toller Porcorum.
Do I need to bring food?
We haven't seen any food on site, so bring your own grub and drinks. A flask and a stove (where allowed) make a long day much better.
Are there toilets on site?
Not that we've seen listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
Yes — car park beside the level lakes. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
DT2 0EH.
How much is a ticket?
DDAS member day ticket: £5; DDAS member 24-hour ticket: £10; Non-member day ticket: £10; Non-member 24-hour ticket: £20. Prices last checked 2026-10-06 — they can change, so check before you go.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Day tickets are available on Lodge Lake, Two Island Lake, Specimen Lake, General coarse-fishing lakes. Busy weekends can fill up, so ring ahead if you've got your heart set on a swim.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
4 — Lodge Lake (Not published), Two Island Lake (Not published), Specimen Lake (Not published), General coarse-fishing lakes (Not published).
Is night fishing allowed?
It's seasonal — DDAS members can night fish Two Island and Specimen lakes, limited to 48 hours in any 72-hour period. Lodge Lake has daylight restrictions.
Can I bring my dog?
It depends — Dogs are permitted only where the handler has a DDAS dog licence.
Are bait boats allowed?
We haven't seen a bait-boat rule listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need barbless hooks?
Yes, it's required — Barbless hooks are required.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Yes, it's required — Unhooking mats are required for fish unhooked on the ground.
Is it suitable for disabled anglers?
We haven't seen disabled access listed. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Do I need a rod licence?
Yes — anyone 13 or over fishing in England and Wales needs an Environment Agency rod licence (or Natural Resources Wales in Wales), on top of your fishery ticket.
When's the best time of year to fish here?
Late spring through autumn is prime for most species. Check our live weather edge for this venue before you go — it updates daily.
Anglers' photos
Been to Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing? Share a snap
No angler photos yet. Be the first!
Day ticket · turn up
Lodge Lake: daylight-focused fishing with a broad coarse mix and carp present.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd
Lodge Lake is one of the three named waters at Higher Kingcombe. The official information does not publish its individual size, but it is part of the venue’s five coarse and carp lakes.
Fishing here is restricted to sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset or 10pm, whichever is earlier. That makes it the one to keep firmly in the daylight plan.
Lake photographs
A look around Lodge Lake
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
Lodge Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Lodge Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Anglers after a mixed coarse session with carp in the water
- Day-ticket anglers happy fishing within the published daylight hours
Maybe not for
- Anglers specifically looking for overnight fishing
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Lodge Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
Venue rule: Fixed leads are banned here, so use a lead clip set to drop the lead or an inline lead.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
Lodge Lake FAQs
Can you night fish Lodge Lake?
No. Lodge Lake is restricted to sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset or 10pm, whichever is earlier.
How big is Lodge Lake?
The individual lake size is not published.
What's the lake record on Lodge Lake?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Lodge Lake that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Lodge Lake?
carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd.
Which baits work well on Lodge Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Lodge Lake further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Lodge Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Lodge Lake?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Lodge Lake?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Lodge Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Lodge Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: DDAS member day ticket £5; DDAS member 24-hour ticket £10; Non-member day ticket £10; Non-member 24-hour ticket £20 (last checked 2026-10-06).
Is night fishing allowed on Lodge Lake?
It's seasonal — DDAS members can night fish Two Island and Specimen lakes, limited to 48 hours in any 72-hour period. Lodge Lake has daylight restrictions.
Who does Lodge Lake suit?
Good for: Anglers after a mixed coarse session with carp in the water; Day-ticket anglers happy fishing within the published daylight hours. Less suited to: Anglers specifically looking for overnight fishing.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Day ticket · turn up
Two Island Lake: one of the venue’s ddas-member night-fishing waters.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd
Two Island Lake is a named water within the Higher Kingcombe complex. It is described as part of a five-lake coarse and carp fishery, with a wide mixed-species list across the venue.
DDAS members can night fish here, subject to the 48-hours-in-any-72-hours limit. The official page does not publish the lake’s individual acreage.
Lake photographs
A look around Two Island Lake
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
Two Island Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Two Island Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- DDAS members wanting an overnight option
- Mixed coarse anglers who fancy a lake with carp and silver-fish possibilities
Maybe not for
- Anglers wanting a published lake size or detailed swim-by-swim information
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Two Island Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
Two Island Lake FAQs
Is night fishing allowed on Two Island Lake?
Yes, for DDAS members, subject to a maximum of 48 hours in any 72-hour period.
Can non-members fish overnight on Two Island Lake?
The stated night-fishing permission is for DDAS members.
What's the lake record on Two Island Lake?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Two Island Lake that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Two Island Lake?
carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd.
How big is Two Island Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. One of the venue’s DDAS-member night-fishing waters..
Which baits work well on Two Island Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Two Island Lake further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Two Island Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Two Island Lake?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Two Island Lake?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Two Island Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Two Island Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: DDAS member day ticket £5; DDAS member 24-hour ticket £10; Non-member day ticket £10; Non-member 24-hour ticket £20 (last checked 2026-10-06).
Who does Two Island Lake suit?
Good for: DDAS members wanting an overnight option; Mixed coarse anglers who fancy a lake with carp and silver-fish possibilities. Less suited to: Anglers wanting a published lake size or detailed swim-by-swim information.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Day ticket · turn up
Specimen Lake: the other named overnight option for ddas members.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd
Specimen Lake is one of the three named waters at Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing Centre. The fishery lists carp and a broad range of coarse species, although individual lake details and size are not published.
DDAS members can fish overnight on Specimen Lake, with the venue’s 48-hour limit in any 72-hour period applying. Tickets are paid at the hut beside the cattle grid and anglers must sign in.
Lake photographs
A look around Specimen Lake
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
Specimen Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Specimen Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- DDAS members after a longer session
- Anglers who enjoy a mixed coarse venue with carp included
Maybe not for
- Anyone looking for published stock numbers, acreage or detailed lake information
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Specimen Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
Venue rule: Fixed leads are banned here, so use a lead clip set to drop the lead or an inline lead.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
Specimen Lake FAQs
Can DDAS members night fish Specimen Lake?
Yes. Night fishing is allowed for DDAS members, limited to 48 hours in any 72-hour period.
Is the size of Specimen Lake published?
No, the individual lake size is not published.
What's the lake record on Specimen Lake?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Specimen Lake that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in Specimen Lake?
carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd.
How big is Specimen Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. The other named overnight option for DDAS members..
Which baits work well on Specimen Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Specimen Lake further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Specimen Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on Specimen Lake?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Specimen Lake?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish Specimen Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Specimen Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: DDAS member day ticket £5; DDAS member 24-hour ticket £10; Non-member day ticket £10; Non-member 24-hour ticket £20 (last checked 2026-10-06).
Is night fishing allowed on Specimen Lake?
It's seasonal — DDAS members can night fish Two Island and Specimen lakes, limited to 48 hours in any 72-hour period. Lodge Lake has daylight restrictions.
Who does Specimen Lake suit?
Good for: DDAS members after a longer session; Anglers who enjoy a mixed coarse venue with carp included. Less suited to: Anyone looking for published stock numbers, acreage or detailed lake information.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Day ticket · turn up
General coarse-fishing lakes: two further waters described as general coarse-fishing lakes.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd
The remaining two waters in the five-lake complex are described as general coarse-fishing lakes. They sit alongside Lodge, Two Island and Specimen lakes within the Higher Kingcombe venue.
The published species list includes carp, crucians, bream, skimmers, tench, chub, eels, gudgeon, perch, roach and rudd. Individual lake names and sizes are not given.
Lake photographs
A look around General coarse-fishing lakes
Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
General coarse-fishing lakes
We’re checking the fishery’s General coarse-fishing lakes pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Anglers after traditional mixed coarse fishing
- Day-ticket anglers happy with a general coarse setup
Maybe not for
- Anglers needing detailed individual-lake information before choosing a swim
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish General coarse-fishing lakes
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Waggler and groundbait for bream
If they're within waggler range, float fishing over balls of groundbait is a great way to pick off bream.
- Ball in groundbait with casters and chopped worm at the start.
- Set the float a touch over-depth and watch for slow lifts.
- Top up when bites slow.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
General coarse-fishing lakes FAQs
Are the two general coarse lakes named?
No individual names are provided in the checked fishery information.
What species are listed for the venue?
Common and mirror carp, crucian carp, bream, bream skimmers, tench, chub, eels, gudgeon, perch, roach and rudd are listed.
What's the lake record on General coarse-fishing lakes?
The fishery hasn't published a record for General coarse-fishing lakes that we've found. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
What fish are in General coarse-fishing lakes?
carp, crucian, bream, tench, chub, eel, perch, roach, rudd.
How big is General coarse-fishing lakes and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. Two further waters described as general coarse-fishing lakes..
Which baits work well on General coarse-fishing lakes?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for General coarse-fishing lakes further up this page — it's built from the lake's features and the venue rules. As a rule, match your approach to the stock: a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does General coarse-fishing lakes get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. It's a day-ticket lake, so popular swims go early — arrive at first light or midweek if you can.
What weather suits bigger catches on General coarse-fishing lakes?
A mild south-westerly with falling pressure is the classic carp trigger, and overcast days usually beat bright, still ones. Check our live weather edge for Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on General coarse-fishing lakes?
Honestly, we don't rank pegs — the fish move with wind, pressure and pressure from other anglers. Have a walk and watch the water before you set up; the tips section above has what we've found so far.
Can I fish General coarse-fishing lakes on a day ticket?
Yes — General coarse-fishing lakes is on the day ticket. Tickets: DDAS member day ticket £5; DDAS member 24-hour ticket £10; Non-member day ticket £10; Non-member 24-hour ticket £20 (last checked 2026-10-06).
Is night fishing allowed on General coarse-fishing lakes?
It's seasonal — DDAS members can night fish Two Island and Specimen lakes, limited to 48 hours in any 72-hour period. Lodge Lake has daylight restrictions.
Who does General coarse-fishing lakes suit?
Good for: Anglers after traditional mixed coarse fishing; Day-ticket anglers happy with a general coarse setup. Less suited to: Anglers needing detailed individual-lake information before choosing a swim.
Community reported
Recent angler updates
No angler updates yet — that's normal. Be the first to help the next angler.
How busy was it?
Nobody's said yet. It's part of the 20-second update below.
No live tracking — this is what anglers told us after their session, and it's never part of the venue score.
Water updates from anglers
No active water updates.
Help other anglers
Venue Rule Checker
- Must
Are barbless hooks required?
Barbless hooks are required.
- No
Are fixed-lead rigs allowed?
Fixed-lead rigs are prohibited; safety lead-clip systems are acceptable.
- Only if
Can keepnets be used?
Keepnets are allowed only for silver fish and at the fishery owner’s discretion. Lay them on the bank for 45 minutes before use.
- Must
Is an unhooking mat required?
Unhooking mats are required for fish unhooked on the ground.
- No
Can you camp, light fires or bring tins?
Tins, fires, litter and camping are prohibited.
- Only if
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are permitted only where the handler has a DDAS dog licence.
- Seasonal
Is night fishing available?
DDAS members can night fish Two Island and Specimen lakes, limited to 48 hours in any 72-hour period. Lodge Lake has daylight restrictions.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 6 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Tips & guides worth reading
How we'd fish each lake
Our own suggestions, worked out from each lake's features, its main fish and the venue rules. They're tried-and-tested methods, not reports from this venue, so watch the water and ask in the tackle shop on the day.
Lodge Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
Venue rule: Fixed leads are banned here, so use a lead clip set to drop the lead or an inline lead.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
Two Island Lake
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
Specimen Lake
carp
A neat lead-clip rig over a light scattering of bait
When you don't know the lake well yet, the simplest approach is the best start: a reliable bottom bait rig on a clean spot, with just enough bait to get a bite without filling them up.
- Feel the lead down to find a firm spot, then clip up so you hit it every cast.
- Fish a single boilie or wafter with 20–30 freebies around it.
- Leave one rod roving and recast it to showing fish.
Venue rule: Fixed leads are banned here, so use a lead clip set to drop the lead or an inline lead.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Groundbait feeder at range for bream
Bream shoal up and graze over open, silty areas. A steady stream of groundbait in one spot keeps a shoal in front of you.
- Clip up and hit the same spot every cast.
- Start with 8–10 feeders quickly, then recast every 5 minutes.
- Worm, maggot or corn on a size 14–16.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
General coarse-fishing lakes
carp
Light baiting tight to the island margins
Carp patrol the island margins on most venues. A handful of bait right on the edge often beats a heavy bed in open water, especially later in the day.
- Walk the bank first and look for bubbling, swirls or coloured water by the cover.
- Bait two or three spots with a few handfuls of chopped and whole boilies.
- Lower or flick the rig in quietly and back your line off with a back lead.
- Keep the drag set tight-ish — fish hooked by cover need turning quickly.
crucian
Delicate float for crucians
Crucian bites are tiny dips and lifts, so a sensitive float shotted right down is what catches them.
- Fish a small insert waggler or pole float over-depth by an inch.
- Corn, maggot or a 4mm pellet on a size 16–18.
- Strike at any small movement — crucians rarely bury the float.
bream
Waggler and groundbait for bream
If they're within waggler range, float fishing over balls of groundbait is a great way to pick off bream.
- Ball in groundbait with casters and chopped worm at the start.
- Set the float a touch over-depth and watch for slow lifts.
- Top up when bites slow.
tench
Method or maggot feeder for tench
Tench love margins and weedy patches. A feeder puts a small, tight patch of bait right by the hookbait.
- Fish 10–20 yards out, or tight to the cover where it's safe to land fish.
- Recast every 10–15 minutes early on to build the swim.
- Short hooklink with a dead red maggot, corn or a 8mm wafter.
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
What anglers reckon
7.0/10 from Tackle Index: A broad mixed species list across five coarse and carp lakes gives the venue plenty of fishing appeal.
Straight from anglers online
Short, unedited extracts from public reviews, credited to the person who posted them. Not checked by us and not a Tackle Index view.
We haven’t found any public angler reviews of this venue yet. Fished it? Add yours below.
Our take on the feedback
Our read
Checked Sept '26 — “Higher Kingcombe Farm Lakes near Toller Porcorum is a cracking five-lake coarse and carp venue, with day tickets for DDAS members and non-members. Lodge Lake has tighter fishing hours, while DDAS members can fish overnight on Two Island and Specimen lakes.”
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.
Angler score
What our readers rate Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Higher Kingcombe Coarse Fishing here. Be the first and get the score started.