Our Fishing Lakes
We have 57 pegs over our four fishing lakes. They present anglers with a variety of fish which will challenge but also reward in equal measure, we recently restocked all our lakes making them even more interesting. Our Mamhead lake received many carp, bream and tench whilst Powderham pool now has a good stocking of Tench and so should not disappoint.
Our four coarse fishing lakes each offer something different, from match and pleasure fishing to tench, silvers and specimen carp. Whether you are new to fishing or planning a dedicated fishing holiday in Devon, you’ll find a lake to suit your style at Cofton.
Mamhead Match Lake — Lake 1
Mamhead Match Lake is designed for match and pleasure fishing, with a high stocking density and 26 well-spaced platform pegs. The lake is divided by a small channel and three islands, creating plenty of features and variety for anglers.
Carp are the main species, with hundreds of fish ranging from around 3lb to 15lb+, and an average size of approximately 6lb. The lake has been restocked over recent years with carp, bream and tench, including 120 tench of 1–2lb stocked in November 2021, followed by 102 carp averaging 8.5lb.
Mamhead also holds a large head of bream, with 4–5lb fish common, along with perch to 3lb+, quality roach to 1lb+, rudd and eels.
Weekly residents’ matches take place on Mamhead every Thursday from April to September, from 10am to 3pm. Anglers interested in taking part should call into the tackle shop to register. The lake also hosts our Cofton Cup Fishing Festival twice each year.
Powderham Tench Pool — Lake 2
Powderham Tench Pool is ideal for anglers who enjoy catching a mix of species beyond carp. This small, intimate pool has nine platform swims, with reeded margins and lily pads adding character and creating natural fish-holding areas.
Depths vary across the pool, with some spots reaching around 8ft, so plumbing up is recommended. Powderham is the only lake on site where keepnets are allowed outside of matches, for a maximum of five hours, making it a great choice for pleasure anglers looking to put together a net of fish.
The pool contains a good head of tench to 4lb+, crucian carp to 1lb, bream to 5lb+, golden rudd to nearly 2lb, roach to 1.5lb+, perch to 3lb+, eels and the occasional small rogue carp.
Please note that Powderham has a maximum line breaking strain of 6lb, and heavy carp tackle is not permitted.
During the school holidays, this lake hosts our Try Fishing sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, run by a qualified angling coach. Sessions can be booked online or at reception, subject to availability.
Ashcombe Carp Pool — Lake 3
Ashcombe Carp Pool is a feature-rich lake where carp are the dominant species, with fish ranging from 1lb to 20lb+. There are nine platform swims and plenty of attractive areas to fish to, including reedbeds, bullrushes and lily pads.
The pool holds mirror, common, leather and ghost carp, including several specimen-sized fish. A number of ghost carp, some into upper double figures, can often be seen cruising in warmer weather. Alongside a large stock of smaller carp, Ashcombe also holds 40+ good doubles to low 20s.
There are also bream to 5lb+, plenty of silver fish, roach and rudd to over 1lb, and specimen perch to 3lb+ reported in recent seasons.
George’s Specimen Lake — Lake 4
George’s Lake is Cofton’s specimen carp lake. Created in 2022 by joining the two back pools together, the lake gives the carp more space to move, feed and grow.
The lake has been extensively planted, with reeded margins, lily pads and an island featuring its own weeping willow. There are 14 purpose-built gravel swims, including a double swim.
George’s Lake holds a good stock of specimen carp, including mirrors to 29lb 10oz, commons to 25lb 4oz and ghost carp to 20lb 8oz, with a good head of 20lb+ fish.
This lake is dedicated solely to specimen carp fishing and has its own set of rules, which anglers should read before fishing.
