Ladywood Lakes

Ladywood Lakes sits on Sands Lane in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, with two lakes offering different takes on a carp session. Big Lake is the specimen option, while Small Lake is described as a runs water. That’s the main choice here: settle in for the bigger-fish prospect, or book the smaller water with its higher stated carp numbers.

• 2 lakes: Big Lake, Small Lake
• Fish: carp
• Tickets from: Big Lake — quoted 24-hour rate; 48-hour minimum booking — £30 per 24 hours
• Find it: Mirfield · WF14 8HJ

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

Ladywood Lakes sits on Sands Lane in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, with two lakes offering different takes on a carp session. Big Lake is the specimen option, while Small Lake is described as a runs water. That’s the main choice here: settle in for the bigger-fish prospect, or book the smaller water with its higher stated carp numbers. Either way, you’ll need to plan ahead rather than just rock up with the rods.

Big Lake is a 10-acre former gravel pit reaching 22 feet deep. Its two main sections join through a wide channel, and there are bars, gullies and weed beds to think about when choosing your approach. That’s proper feature-finding territory. Rather than assuming every bit of water offers the same thing, it makes sense to give your spot selection some thought. The depth and underwater features are a big part of this lake’s appeal.

The fishery reports over 450 fish in Big Lake, including carp exceeding 40lb. Common, leather and various scaled carp are stocked, so there’s more to the attraction than just a number on the scales. Small Lake covers 2.5 acres and is said to hold over 500 carp. Its runs-water description makes it the obvious one to consider if you’re leaning towards more action rather than making the larger specimen water your main project. No promise of getting bagged up, mind.

The booking details matter here. Both lakes require advance booking and prepayment. Big Lake has a 48-hour minimum booking despite a quoted 24-hour rate, while Small Lake has a 24-hour minimum and no day-only tickets. Night fishing is included in the advertised overnight sessions. Selected double pegs can be reserved, but single pegs are chosen on arrival. If you’re organising a trip with a mate, that’s worth getting straight before committing.

There are some handy practical touches, too. A track lets you park behind most Big Lake swims, although pegs 7 and 8 involve a short walk. Disinfectant tanks are provided for dipping mats, nets and slings on arrival. The fishery is otter-fenced, and gates must stay closed. Arthur’s Cafe also lists its address at Ladywood Lakes, giving you a food option to bear in mind when planning the session.

Before loading the motor, match your tackle to the lake’s rules. Rod limits and permitted hook types differ, and Big Lake has specific line and fish-care requirements. Particles and artificial baits are banned on both waters. For the entrance, WF14 8HJ is listed, though some directories use WF14 8HH. Any booking queries, give Gus a bell with the fishery between 9am and 5pm.

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 — “Ladywood Lakes gives you two cracking carp options in Mirfield: a deep, feature-packed specimen lake and a smaller runs water. Both are advance-booked overnight venues, so this isn’t a turn-up-for-a-cheeky-afternoon setup.”

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.