Heron Lake
The newest of the Cottington Lakes waters having opened in early Spring 2009, Heron is a triangular shaped water between Black Lake and Match Lake and offers 20 pegs on a one-and-a-half acre water which has three central islands to provide features to which to fish.
Stocked predominantly with silver fish to provide year-round sport, Heron is just two-and-a-half feet deep in the margins and around the edges of the islands but drops to 14 feet at its deepest.Stocked with a good head of roach which run to 3lbs 4oz with a reasonably number around the 2lb mark; tench to over 5lbs but averaging between 2lbs and 3lbs; bream to about 3lbs; a good head of crucians to a similar size and rudd to 2lbs; Heron also holds a smaller number of common and mirror carp, the biggest to have been caught so far coming in at 12lbs.
Although match fishing on the lake only started in summer 2009 weights in excess of 50lbs are already coming out with back-up weights of between 20lbs and 30lbs being commonplace
The deepest water is off the tree bank where up to 14 foot of water can be found just a few feet out whilst the pegs off the road bank give about six feet of water. The shelf around the margins and off the island are about two feet deep and are already proving regular holding areas for the fish.
Because it is predominantly a silver fish water, Heron lends itself to fishing the pole although those after the carp in matches generally fish a method feeder packed with method mix close to the islands.
Generally speaking it is recommended that anglers use about 4lbs main line and 14s or 16 hooks with sweetcorn, maggots, casters, worm, soft hooker pellets and small pieces of luncheon meat being popular baits.
