Boddington Reservoir

If your idea of a cracking day involves a reservoir rather than a little pool, Boddington is worth a look. There’s one 65-acre water here, supplying the Oxford Canal and offering match, pleasure and carp fishing. That gives it a broad appeal without needing a whole complex of lakes.

• 1 lake: Boddington Reservoir
• Fish: carp, roach, perch, pike
• Tickets from: Adult day permit — £9, one rod.
• Find it: Southam · NN11 6XU

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

If your idea of a cracking day involves a reservoir rather than a little pool, Boddington is worth a look. There’s one 65-acre water here, supplying the Oxford Canal and offering match, pleasure and carp fishing. That gives it a broad appeal without needing a whole complex of lakes. The official address is near Byfield, Northamptonshire, NN11 6XU, so use that when planning the journey rather than relying on the Southam label alone.

Carp are a big part of the attraction. The fishery puts their average at approximately 12lb, with occasional fish approaching 25lb. That’s a tempting stamp for anyone who enjoys carp fishing without making every trip solely about chasing a monster. Keep those figures in perspective, though: an average size isn’t a promise of what will turn up in your swim, and the occasional bigger fish are just that — occasional.

It isn’t all about carp, either. Roach and perch are described as abundant, giving pleasure anglers another reason to get the tackle out. Pike exceeding 40lb have also been reported, which certainly grabs the attention. There’s an important seasonal limit attached to that interest: pike fishing is allowed only from 1 October to 31 March. Don’t plan a cheeky summer predator session here; that window is part of the rules.

For a straightforward day session, permits are bought from the bankside bailiff. Adult and concession day permits cover one rod, with a separate charge for a second. Concession anglers need a concessionary rod licence, so make sure that bit is bob on before travelling. There’s an evening permit too, although its start time isn’t specified. Ask the bailiff when it kicks in rather than assuming you can arrive at any particular hour.

Club organisers have a clear route in, but this isn’t a last-minute match booking job. Matches go through the online account system, need at least ten anglers and must be booked more than seven days ahead. There’s also a non-refundable booking fee alongside the match peg fee. Get the numbers sorted before committing, and follow the advice to contact the bailiff before travelling. Check the arrival noticeboard as well rather than heading straight for a peg.

The practical side is fairly simple: fishing runs from dawn until dusk, night fishing is prohibited and free reservoir parking is advertised. Toilet provision needs a quick check, because the fishery page mentions a portable toilet while the general visitor page says otherwise. Also, a map pin may mark the reservoir rather than its entrance. A little checking beforehand should save unnecessary faff and leave you better prepared for a daytime session on this sizeable water.

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 — “Boddington is a proper big-water option: 65 acres of reservoir with match, pleasure and carp fishing, plus abundant roach and perch. Carp average approximately 12lb, while pike fishing adds a seasonal draw.”

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.