Brief description of fishery:
Knotts Lake is one of the larger lakes on the Widmead named after Jim Knott, one of our long serving stalwart trustees. It has a variety of swims at its 50 pegs and about 5 acres. It sits between the Middle Ditch and the Kennet and Avon Navigation. The western end is quite narrow and shallow, but as you move away from the car park the water gets deeper and wider, with depths of over 4m (12 feet) in places.
The lake has a smooth bed and the main feature is the long island which is a favourite target to fish against. The water is usually turbid in the summer and is generally weed free. In previous years it has been stocked with large tench and some bream. There are also carp and other species present to enable mixed bags to be caught. There is a large car park which serves all the Widmead lakes at the western end of the lake, and there is some other parking in Muddy Lane if you wish to approach over the railway foot crossing however this is a long walk. The nearest toilet is in the Rawlings Retreat car park.
Special Rules for this fishery:
A swim map has been produced showing the casting boundaries of each swim. This is shown here and on the venue noticeboard. Please observe the limits when fishing this lake.
Address
One of four lakes on the Widmead complex, part of Thatcham reed beds SSSI
Access & Parking
Entry is via the Discovery Centre, Lower Road, Thatcham, RG 19 3FU. Turn into the Discovery Centre entrance and keep straight down Muddy Lane with the Discovery lake on your left. Turn right at crossroads level with the end of this lake and keep driving through a single bar green gate, following a gravel track to the left and through the railway bridge to enter the Widmead carpark beyond another gate. You will need a club key for both gates. PLEASE KEEP BOTH GATES LOCKED AT ALL TIMES. Knotts lake is at the far end of the carpark.
Maps
Species
- Perch
- Roach
- Bream
- Tench
- Rudd
- Pike
