Scenic UK carp lake at dawn

Fishery guide · Oxfordshire

Milton Pools Fishery

Milton Pools at Great Milton gives you a proper choice of waters, from the 18-peg Specimen Lake to float-only Kidney Lake. There’s night fishing, a tackle shop and accessible pegs, but arrival windows and lake-specific rules need a look before you load the car.

“7.2/10 — Six waters and a broad fishery-wide species list offer plenty of interest, though lake-specific stocks and weights are mostly unspecified.”

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The lowdown

Milton Pools Fishery sits at Great Milton, near Oxford, with six waters: four public lakes and two private match waters. That gives you a fair bit of choice without having to pick a different venue for every sort of session. Five waters are named in the supplied details, covering specimen, mixed coarse and match fishing.

  • 5 lakes: Specimen Lake, House Lake, Len’s Match Lake, Kidney Lake, Campbell’s Match Lake
  • Fish: carp, bream, crucian, rudd
  • Tickets from: Listed adult day ticket, one rod — £10
  • Find it: Oxford · OX44 7JE

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Milton Pools Fishery

Oxford · OX44 7JE

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The full rundown on Milton Pools Fishery

Milton Pools Fishery sits at Great Milton, near Oxford, with six waters: four public lakes and two private match waters. That gives you a fair bit of choice without having to pick a different venue for every sort of session. Five waters are named in the supplied details, covering specimen, mixed coarse and match fishing. We haven’t fished it ourselves, so this is a straight guide to what’s listed, not a tale about getting bagged up.

The Specimen Lake is the largest named water, at just over three acres with 18 pegs. House Lake comes in at approximately 1.5 acres and 11 pegs, while Len’s Match Lake has 15 pegs across approximately 1.25 acres. Kidney Lake is the compact option: approximately half an acre with 10 pegs. Campbell’s Match Lake has another 15 pegs and needs advance arrangement. Don’t assume every water is available for a casual turn-up session.

Across the fishery, the listed species include carp, catfish, pike, roach, perch and tench. House Lake also holds bream, crucians, koi, golden orfe and rudd, giving mixed-coarse anglers plenty to be interested in. The details don’t pin every species to every lake, though, and there are no checked fish weights here. If you’re chasing a particular species or a PB, have a quick word before choosing your water rather than banking on the name alone.

The rules do some of the tackle planning for you. Kidney Lake is float fishing only, and surface fishing and zig rigs are prohibited across the venue. Barbless hooks are compulsory, there’s a two-rod maximum, and you’ll need an unhooking mat. Landing nets must have five minutes of disinfection too. Pike fishing runs October–March. House Lake has a minimum age of 16 and Specimen Lake a minimum age of 18, so junior trips need a little thought.

Timing is the bit to get bob on. Day tickets cover 07:30–18:30, but weekday arrivals are restricted to 07:30–11:00 and weekend arrivals to 07:30–12:00. The gates are locked overnight, with no arrivals or departures between 18:30 and 07:30. Night fishing is permitted, but telephone ahead, especially for Specimen Lake. A 24-hour ticket isn’t a licence to roll in whenever you fancy, and the overnight lock-in is worth remembering when making plans.

On the practical side, there’s an on-site bait and tackle shop, toilets, washing facilities and floodlit parking covered by CCTV. Most pegs have disabled access, with vehicle access possible at some; call to sort the right swim rather than assuming they’re all the same. Specimen Lake cabins offer an alternative to a bivvy, but come without services. The café is reported permanently closed, so bring your own brew and grub. For arrangements, ring the fishery; the postcode is OX44 7JE.

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Milton Pools Fishery FAQs

Where is Milton Pools and how do I contact it?

It’s at Great Milton, near Oxford, Oxfordshire. Use postcode OX44 7JE and telephone the fishery.

How many waters are there?

Six: four public lakes and two private match waters. Five are named in the supplied details: Specimen, House, Len’s Match, Kidney and Campbell’s Match.

Is there accessible fishing?

Most pegs have disabled access and some allow vehicle access. Call ahead to arrange a suitable peg rather than assuming every swim will work for you.

Can I buy tackle and food on site?

There’s an on-site bait and tackle shop. The café is reported permanently closed, so bring your own food and drink.

Where's the nearest tackle shop?

There's on-site bait and 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 and washing facilities.

Is there parking, and how close is it to the swims?

Yes — floodlit cctv-covered parking. Walks to the further pegs can be a trek, so a barrow helps.

What's the postcode for the sat nav?

OX44 7JE.

How much is a ticket?

Listed adult day ticket, one rod: £10; Listed adult day ticket, two rods: £15; Listed adult 24-hour ticket; rod allowance unspecified: £25; Listed under-16 tickets: £10 day, one rod; £25 for 24 hours.. Prices last checked 2026-10-03 — they can change, so check before you go.

Can I just turn up, or do I need to book?

Day tickets are available on Specimen Lake, House Lake, Len’s Match Lake, Kidney 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, bream, crucian, rudd. See each lake tab for which fish live where.

How many lakes are there?

5 — Specimen Lake (Just over 3), House Lake (Approximately 1.5), Len’s Match Lake (Approximately 1.25), Kidney Lake (Approximately 0.5), Campbell’s Match Lake (Not published).

Is night fishing allowed?

Yes — Telephone ahead, especially for Specimen Lake, and plan around the overnight gate lock.

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 — Barbless hooks only; a maximum of two rods is allowed.

Do I need my own unhooking mat or cradle?

Yes, it's required — Unhooking mats are required. Landing nets need five-minute disinfection.

Is it suitable for disabled anglers?

The fishery lists disabled access at most pegs. Ring ahead to check which swims suit you.

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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