Lake note 03 · Bonds
Bonds Lake
A two-acre lake set around a large central island, stocked heavily with hard-fighting carp for anglers who wanted plenty of bites.
Figures
At a glance
2 acres
Set around a large central island
3–5 lb
Average carp in 2002, with fish to 12 lb taken regularly
8–12 lb
Average carp in later years
300 lb+
Catches reported by the former operator
The lake
Bonds was the smaller of the two lakes created in 1991 alongside Milton [Archive, 31 January 2002]. The former operator described it as a two-acre lake around a large central island [Operator site, 26 October 2026].
The fishing
In 2002 the fishery promoted Bonds to anyone after “large numbers of carp”: “huge numbers of hard fighting torpedo shaped beauties that average 3 to 5 lb although fish to 12 lb are taken regularly” [Archive, 24 March 2002].
The carp grew on. The former operator later gave the average as 8–12 lb and reported catches of over 300 lb [Operator site, 26 October 2026]. See carp at Bury Hill.
Closure
From March 2023 the remaining lakes were fished on day membership rather than open day tickets [Operator site, 26 October 2026]. The venue closed completely in February 2025 [Report, December 2025]; anglers were already posting farewells that month [Report, February 2025]. The full sequence is in the Closure Record.
From the old site
Restored original pages
- The Fishery page (2002)/fishery.htm
These pages are restored at their original addresses. See the full index of restored pages.
Also at Bury Hill
The other lakes
Lake note 01 · Old Bury Hill
Old Bury Hill Lake
The 12.5-acre spring-fed estate lake. Waggler, feeder and boat water; carp and pike to 30lb, zander to 16lb.
Lake note 02 · Milton
Milton Lake
Three acres, 30 platforms, dug in 1991. Crucians, tench and pleasure bags to 250lb.
Lake note 04 · Temple
Temple Lake
Four acres, built in 2002. The specimen carp water, with fish over 40lb.
Questions
Frequently asked
How big was Bonds Lake?
About two acres, set around a large central island.
What size were the carp in Bonds Lake?
In 2002 they averaged 3–5 lb with fish to 12 lb. The former operator later gave an average of 8–12 lb.