Fishery guide · Gloucestershire
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake is a huge 62-acre Carp Society venue near Lechlade, with 75 swims, 21 doubles and a serious head of specimen carp. The headline fish is a published 41 lb 10 oz, with the current average carp weight listed at 21 lb.
“7.6/10 — A published 41 lb 10 oz record, a 21 lb average carp and additional coarse species make this a strong fishing proposition.”
Tackle Index scorecard
The lowdown
Horseshoe Lake sits near Lechlade-on-Thames, right on the Gloucestershire–Oxfordshire border. At 62 acres, it’s a proper big-water venue. The sort of place where you’ll want to spend a bit of time looking before chucking three rods at the first bit of open water. There are 75 swims around the lake, so it’s not exactly short on options either.
- 1 lake: Horseshoe Lake
- Fish: carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd
- Tickets from: Day/hourly ticket for two rods — £1.25 per hour
- Find it: Lechlade · GL7 3QQ
Plan your session
Fishery map of Horseshoe Lake
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Around the fishery
A look around the venue
Fishery
Horseshoe Lake
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The full rundown on Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake sits near Lechlade-on-Thames, right on the Gloucestershire–Oxfordshire border. At 62 acres, it’s a proper big-water venue. The sort of place where you’ll want to spend a bit of time looking before chucking three rods at the first bit of open water. There are 75 swims around the lake, so it’s not exactly short on options either.
The venue is split into two main arms, Summer Bay and Winter Bay. Of those 75 swims, 21 are doubles, giving you the choice of setting up on your own or bringing a mate along. On a lake this size, a bit of planning is bob on. Think about how much kit you really want to lug, where you’ll be comfortable for the session, and whether a double swim suits the way you fish.
Carp are very much the headline act here, with a serious head of specimen fish. The current published average carp weight is 21 lb, while the published venue fish is 41 lb 10 oz. That’s proper lump territory, and exactly the sort of fishing where sound unhooking kit, reliable tackle and a tidy plan matter more than chucking everything as far as possible.
It isn’t carp-only, mind. Bream, tench, roach, rudd, pike and perch are also listed, so there’s a bit more going on than simply sitting it out for a big mirror or common. If you’re new to the lake, it’s worth asking the bailiff or office team what’s been showing, which areas are worth considering and whether any swims or sections have restrictions before you get clipped up.
For standard day or hourly tickets, the maximum is two rods. Carp and pike anglers must use at least 15 lb breaking-strain monofilament, while float fishing for other species requires at least 5.5 lb line. Feeder fishing for tench needs at least 10 lb monofilament mainline. A suitable padded, rigid-sided unhooking mat for fish of 40 lb or more is compulsory, and all landed fish must be returned to the lake as quickly as possible.
Pike fishing has its own stated season, from 1 November to 1 March. The pike-only permit allows fishing from dawn to dusk, with no overnight stays. Drones are prohibited without written permission from the Carp Society office, so that’s one bit of faff to avoid before you arrive. A Carp Society membership is required to fish the lake, with the current annual membership listed as £30.
There are toilets, showers and an on-site tackle shop, while the lodge has catering facilities for events. First-time anglers are guided during office hours, so that’s worth making use of when planning your first session. Check the latest arrangements before travelling, ask about any event or spawning restrictions, and pack for a proper big-water campaign rather than a quick park-up-and-chuck.
Straight from anglers online
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Horseshoe Lake FAQs
When can day-ticket anglers arrive?
Day-ticket anglers must arrive during office/shop opening hours. No day-ticket arrivals are accepted on Sundays, and Saturday arrivals from 1 April to 31 October close at noon.
What happens with a carp over 30 lb?
Captures over 30 lb must be photographed and reported. Fish over 35 lb require the bailiff or Karl to be called for photographs, while fish over 40 lb must have their weight verified by Karl.
Are there closures?
Yes. Permit access is subject to event closures and spawning closures, which are published by the Carp Society.
How much is a standard day ticket?
Day/hourly fishing costs £1.25 per hour for two rods, payable in advance on arrival. The minimum day/hourly ticket is six hours.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
There's on-site tackle shop on site, so you can grab bits on the day. For anything bigger, stock up before you leave home — or order online in advance.
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?
Yes — the fishery lists toilets.
Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?
The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off. Bring a barrow in case it's a walk.
What's the postcode for the sat nav?
GL7 3QQ.
How much is a ticket?
Day/hourly ticket for two rods: £1.25 per hour; Minimum day/hourly ticket: Six hours; Flexible ticket durations: Six, 10, 24, 36 and 48 hours; Annual Carp Society membership: £30; Full annual Horseshoe permit: £650 for 12 months; Weekday-only annual permit: £500; Pike-only permit: £160 for the annual 1 November–1 March season. 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 Horseshoe Lake. 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, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
1 — Horseshoe Lake (Approximately 62 acres).
Is night fishing allowed?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Can I bring my dog?
Not covered in the rules we've checked. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
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 — A suitable padded, rigid-sided unhooking mat for fish of 40 lb or more is compulsory.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Yes, it's required — A suitable padded, rigid-sided unhooking mat for fish of 40 lb or more is compulsory.
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.
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Day ticket · turn up
Horseshoe Lake: a big gloucestershire–oxfordshire border lake with a serious specimen-carp head and a published 41 lb 10 oz venue record.
- Size
- Approximately 62 acres acres
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd
Horseshoe Lake has two main arms, Summer Bay and Winter Bay, with 75 swims across the venue. Of those, 21 are doubles, giving anglers the option of fishing alone or setting up with a mate.
Carp are the headline species, with the current published average weight listed at 21 lb. Bream, tench, roach, rudd, pike and perch are also listed, so there’s a bit more going on than just chasing a big mirror or common.
Approximately 800–1,000 specimen carp, including many fish in the 20 lb and 30 lb weight ranges.
Lake photographs
A look around Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake
Horseshoe Lake
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Suits
- Specimen-carp anglers after 20 lb and 30 lb fish, with a chance of a published 41 lb 10 oz venue lump.
- Anglers who want a large venue with plenty of swims, doubles and flexible six-hour to 48-hour ticket options.
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting a small, intimate pool or a venue with totally unrestricted access, as tickets and arrivals are subject to office hours, closures and seasonal rules.
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Horseshoe 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.
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.
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.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
Horseshoe Lake FAQs
How big is Horseshoe Lake?
The lake covers approximately 62 acres and has 75 swims, including 21 doubles.
What carp are in the lake?
The fishery lists approximately 800–1,000 specimen carp, with many in the 20 lb and 30 lb ranges. The current published average is 21 lb and the published venue record is 41 lb 10 oz.
What's the lake record on Horseshoe Lake?
Going by what the fishery says: Approximately 800–1,000 specimen carp, including many fish in the 20 lb and 30 lb weight ranges. That's the owner's figure, not ours — take it as a guide.
What fish are in Horseshoe Lake?
carp, tench, bream, roach, pike, perch, rudd. Approximately 800–1,000 specimen carp, including many fish in the 20 lb and 30 lb weight ranges.
Which baits work well on Horseshoe Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Horseshoe 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: with the fish the fishery lists here, a solid food-source boilie and a tidy presentation will catch anywhere on the complex.
When does Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Lake on a day ticket?
Yes — Horseshoe Lake is on the day ticket. Tickets: Day/hourly ticket for two rods £1.25 per hour; Minimum day/hourly ticket Six hours; Flexible ticket durations Six, 10, 24, 36 and 48 hours; Annual Carp Society membership £30; Full annual Horseshoe permit £650 for 12 months; Weekday-only annual permit £500; Pike-only permit £160 for the annual 1 November–1 March season (last checked 2026-10-06).
Is night fishing allowed on Horseshoe Lake?
We haven't seen a clear night-fishing rule for this lake. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Who does Horseshoe Lake suit?
Good for: Specimen-carp anglers after 20 lb and 30 lb fish, with a chance of a published 41 lb 10 oz venue lump.; Anglers who want a large venue with plenty of swims, doubles and flexible six-hour to 48-hour ticket options.. Less suited to: Anyone wanting a small, intimate pool or a venue with totally unrestricted access, as tickets and arrivals are subject to office hours, closures and seasonal rules..
Community reported
Recent angler updates
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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
Is a Carp Society membership required?
A Carp Society membership is required to fish the lake. The current fishery page states annual membership as £30.
- Yes
Can anglers use two rods on standard day/hourly tickets?
The maximum is two rods on standard day/hourly tickets.
- Must
Is suitable unhooking kit compulsory?
A suitable padded, rigid-sided unhooking mat for fish of 40 lb or more is compulsory.
- Must
Are fish returned after capture?
All landed fish must be returned to the lake as quickly as possible.
- Must
Are there minimum line strengths?
Carp and pike anglers must use at least 15 lb breaking-strain monofilament line. Float fishing for other species requires at least 5.5 lb line, while feeder fishing for tench requires at least 10 lb monofilament mainline.
- Seasonal
Is pike fishing available all year?
The stated pike fishing season is 1 November to 1 March. The pike-only permit allows fishing from dawn to dusk and prohibits overnight stays.
- No
Can drones be used?
Drones are prohibited without written permission from the Carp Society office.
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.
Horseshoe 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.
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.
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.
roach
Float maggot for roach
On a mixed lake a waggler and a pint of maggots is the easiest way to keep the float going under all day.
- Feed six to ten maggots every cast.
- Shallow up if bites come on the drop.
- Size 18 hook and light hooklength.
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
7.6/10 from Tackle Index: A published 41 lb 10 oz record, a 21 lb average carp and additional coarse species make this a strong fishing proposition.
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 — “Horseshoe Lake is a huge 62-acre Carp Society venue near Lechlade, with 75 swims, 21 doubles and a serious head of specimen carp. The headline fish is a published 41 lb 10 oz, with the current average carp weight listed at 21 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.
Angler score
What our readers rate Horseshoe Lake
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