Fishery guide · Middlesex
Savay Lake
Savay Lake is a big former gravel pit in the Colne Valley, with a long-standing reputation for proper specimen carp. It’s private water with a syndicate history, but current access, tickets and rules need checking before you start packing the barrow.
“5.9/10 — The historical carp reputation is seriously strong, with reports through the 20s, 30s, 40s and above 50lb.”
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The lowdown
Savay Lake sits near Denham in the Colne Valley, with Harefield and Moorhall Road also linked to the area. The nearby Savay Lane postcode is UB9 5NJ, and the approximate location is 51.581263, -0.485862. That should get you in the right patch, but access is the bit to sort before chucking the gear in the motor.
- 1 lake: Savay Lake
- Fish: carp, pike, bream, eel
- Find it: Denham · UB9 5NJ
Plan your session
Fishery map of Savay Lake
Pick a pin or venue to see live bank-side conditions.
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How busy was it?
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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
Fishery
Savay Lake
We haven’t got permission to show venue photos here yet. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Which lake suits you?
Based on how each lake is set up — not a ranking.
The full rundown on Savay Lake
Savay Lake sits near Denham in the Colne Valley, with Harefield and Moorhall Road also linked to the area. The nearby Savay Lane postcode is UB9 5NJ, and the approximate location is 51.581263, -0.485862. That should get you in the right patch, but access is the bit to sort before chucking the gear in the motor. There’s been plenty going on around the lake over the years, so don’t just rely on an old sat-nav pin and hope for the best.
It’s a large former gravel pit, edged with woodland. The River Colne follows the western edge, while the Grand Union Canal forms the eastern boundary. There’s no watercourse flowing into the lake and none flowing out, making it a fairly self-contained water. Big pits like this can feel a bit daunting on the first look, so give yourself time to walk, watch and get your bearings rather than diving straight into the first available swim.
The main attraction is carp, and Savay has a long-established reputation for proper specimen fish. Historical accounts mention commons and mirrors over 20lb, 30lb and 40lb, with a carp above 50lb reported in later years. That’s enough to get any carp angler sitting up a bit straighter. It’s the sort of place where watercraft should come before the spod rod — look for signs, patrol the margins and work out where the fish want to be before committing to a spot.
There’s more in the lake than carp, with pike, eels, bream and other coarse fish also mentioned. Carp is clearly the best-documented angling use, though, so anyone planning a trip should build their approach around specimen carp fishing rather than expecting a straightforward mixed coarse bag. Bring balanced, reliable kit, plenty of bait options and enough tackle to adapt if the fish show somewhere other than the area you had in mind.
The fishery has historically operated with a syndicate system, including a rota for syndicate fishing. A day-ticket membership option was also described historically, restricted to daytime fishing and covering a smaller section of bank. Current night-fishing arrangements, season dates, ticket prices, opening times and booking details need confirming before travelling. Same goes for the current swim layout, permitted areas and whether access is affected by ongoing works. A quick chat with the bailiff or fishery contact could save a proper faff.
HS2 construction has affected access around Savay Lake. Temporary pontoons were proposed to maintain angler access, a 2022 photo shows an HS2 jetty, and a 2024 image records viaduct construction across the water. So, bobbin clips and bait tubs aside, the first job is checking exactly where anglers can park, walk and fish. Once that’s nailed down, take a quiet look at the water, fish to what you actually see and keep the first session simple. On a big, established pit with this sort of carp reputation, patience could be the real edge.
We're not sure on ticket prices here — we couldn't find reliable, up-to-date prices online, so give the fishery a ring or check their own site before you go.
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.
Savay Lake FAQs
Where is Savay Lake?
It’s near Denham in the Colne Valley, Middlesex, with links to Harefield and Moorhall Road. UB9 5NJ is the nearby Savay Lane postcode.
How big is Savay Lake?
It’s described as a large water body, but its acreage is not published in the checked facts.
Can I book a session online?
No current official booking process was located, so access needs checking directly before travelling.
Are current prices and opening times available?
Current ticket prices and opening times are not confirmed.
Where's the nearest tackle shop?
We haven't found a tackle shop on site at Savay Lake. Sort your bait and end tackle before you travel, as there's no guarantee of anything close by near Denham.
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?
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?
UB9 5NJ.
How much is a ticket?
We haven't got current prices. The fishery doesn't say on what we've checked, so give them a quick call before you set off.
Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?
Savay Lake isn't day-ticket water — Savay Lake is members or syndicate only.
What fish are in there?
Across the lakes you'll find carp, pike, bream, eel. See each lake tab for which fish live where.
How many lakes are there?
1 — Savay Lake (Not published).
Is night fishing allowed?
It depends — Current night fishing availability is not confirmed from an official source.
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?
Most UK fisheries prefer barbless or micro-barbed hooks — ask on arrival if unsure.
Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?
Bring one either way — most fisheries expect it and the fish deserve it.
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
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Syndicate · invite only
Savay Lake: a large former gravel pit with a serious historical carp reputation.
- Size
- Not published
- Swims
- Not published
- Max anglers
- —
- Species
- carp, pike, bream, eel
Savay Lake is a large former gravel pit in the Colne Valley, edged with woodland and bounded by the River Colne to the west and the Grand Union Canal to the east. It’s used for private recreational fishing.
Carp is the big attraction, with historical accounts reporting commons and mirrors over 20lb, 30lb and 40lb, plus a later report of a carp above 50lb. Pike, eels and bream are also mentioned, giving the water a bit more variety than the carp headlines suggest.
Lake photographs
A look around Savay Lake
Savay Lake
Savay Lake
We’re checking the fishery’s Savay Lake pictures before displaying them here. You can still see the originals on the fishery’s website.
Suits
- Carp anglers after a proper long-term syndicate challenge and the chance of a serious lump.
- Anglers who enjoy working out a big, enclosed gravel-pit water and fishing quietly around features and margins.
Maybe not for
- Anyone wanting a simple day-ticket session with confirmed swims, prices and current rules.
Bait, rigs & seasons
How we'd fish Savay Lake
carp
A bigger bed of bait at range
On a big lake with gravel bars, a good bed of bait on or behind a bar gives roaming fish a reason to stop and feed for longer.
- Find a clean, hard spot with a marker float and clip up so every cast lands on it.
- Spread the bait with a spod or throwing stick — little and often.
- Mix boilies, pellet and particles so there's always something left for the fish to graze.
- Match the hookbait to the freebies.
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
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.
Savay Lake FAQs
What fish are in Savay Lake?
Carp is the best-documented species, including commons and mirrors. Historical accounts also mention pike, eels and bream.
Is night fishing available?
It isn’t confirmed from a current official source, so check before planning an overnighter.
What's the lake record on Savay Lake?
The fishery hasn't published a record for Savay 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.
How big is Savay Lake and how many swims?
Around Not published acres. A large former gravel pit with a serious historical carp reputation..
Which baits work well on Savay Lake?
We've put together a full bait, rigs and seasons plan for Savay 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 Savay Lake get busy?
Weekends and bank holidays are busiest, especially spring through autumn. Booking ahead is the safe bet.
What weather suits bigger catches on Savay 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 Savay Lake before you go — it ranks every lake here for the next 7 days.
Which pegs are best on Savay 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 Savay Lake on a day ticket?
No — Savay Lake is syndicate or members only, so you'll need to sort a ticket direct with the fishery.
Who does Savay Lake suit?
Good for: Carp anglers after a proper long-term syndicate challenge and the chance of a serious lump.; Anglers who enjoy working out a big, enclosed gravel-pit water and fishing quietly around features and margins.. Less suited to: Anyone wanting a simple day-ticket session with confirmed swims, prices and current rules..
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
- Yes
Is the lake privately fished?
Savay Lake is used for private recreational fishing.
- Yes
Has the fishery operated as a syndicate?
Historical accounts describe a syndicate system and a rota for syndicate fishing.
- Seasonal
Was a day-ticket option available?
A day-ticket membership option was described historically, restricted to daytime fishing and a smaller section of bank. Current availability is not confirmed.
- Only if
Is night fishing confirmed?
Current night fishing availability is not confirmed from an official source.
- Only if
Are current season dates published?
Current season dates are not confirmed.
- Must
Should access be checked because of HS2 works?
HS2 construction affected access around the lake, with temporary pontoons proposed and an HS2 jetty recorded.
Taken from the fishery’s own pages, last checked 11 October 2026. Rules change — always check with the fishery before you go.
Rules and prices change through the season. Follow and we'll flag changes the fishery or other anglers report.
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.
Savay Lake
carp
A bigger bed of bait at range
On a big lake with gravel bars, a good bed of bait on or behind a bar gives roaming fish a reason to stop and feed for longer.
- Find a clean, hard spot with a marker float and clip up so every cast lands on it.
- Spread the bait with a spod or throwing stick — little and often.
- Mix boilies, pellet and particles so there's always something left for the fish to graze.
- Match the hookbait to the freebies.
carp
Zigs in the warmer months
In clear, deep water carp often sit up in the layers on warm days. A zig is the only way to get a bait in front of them.
- Start at half depth and move up or down a foot at a time until you get bites.
- Black or foam hookbaits work well on bright days.
- Keep it simple — no freebies needed.
pike
Lure fishing for the pike
Lures let you cover water and find active pike fast.
- Spinners, jerkbaits and 4–6in soft shads on a 20–30g rod.
- Always use a wire trace — pike bite through mono and fluoro.
- Move every 10–15 casts till you find them; work drop-offs and edges.
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.
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
5.9/10 from Tackle Index: The historical carp reputation is seriously strong, with reports through the 20s, 30s, 40s and above 50lb.
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 — “Savay Lake is a big former gravel pit in the Colne Valley, with a long-standing reputation for proper specimen carp. It’s private water with a syndicate history, but current access, tickets and rules need checking before you start packing the barrow.”
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 Savay Lake
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