Poplars Lake
Availability 3 Anglers
Poplars Lake is a 2-acre carp-focused lake and the first water you reach when entering The Famous Five complex. It can be fished by two to three anglers and is a great choice for groups looking for a relaxed social trip with the potential for plenty of action.
The lake is clay based, with areas of silt and exposed gravel across the bottom. Established lily beds at the top end, defined margins and shallow features provide plenty of areas to explore. Weed is very limited, allowing anglers to present rigs cleanly across most of the water.
The lake has been extensively improved in recent years, with the margins opened up and water quality transformed. The current setup includes a well-positioned pontoon swim directly outside the accommodation, creating an enjoyable home-swim arrangement with everything close at hand.
Poplars was last netted in 2024, when carp below 18lb were removed to improve the overall stock profile. A very small number of catfish remain, but these are being gradually removed as part of a longer-term plan to introduce tench from the end of 2027. The lake is limed annually and receives between two and four new carp each year.
A full bait package can be arranged ahead of your Poplars Lake session. There is a choice of quality boilies, hookbaits, pellets and particle from brands including Woody’s Baits, Karper France and Sticky Baits.
The venue’s freshly prepared particle and pellets must be used on the lake. This is made from locally sourced maize and wheat and prepared specifically for the feeding programme across the complex.
Bait orders should be submitted at least 30 days before arrival. Tackle hire is available for anglers who do not want to travel with a full setup, while the on-site shop stocks small essentials including drinks, snacks, bait and end tackle.
A food package is available for Poplars Lake guests who want a more relaxed holiday with less shopping and cooking. Breakfast and evening meals are freshly prepared and supplied throughout the week.
The current price is £165 per adult per week, while under-14s are charged £120 per week. Lunch baguettes can be ordered to go alongside breakfast, and individual meals may be available when requested at least 24 hours in advance. Dietary needs can be accommodated when notified before arrival.
Mandatory
- Maximum three rods per angler
- Mainline must be at least 18lb breaking strain
- Hooklinks must be at least 35lb
- Use rods of at least 3lb test curve
- Barbless hooks only
- Every rig must include a minimum of 18 inches of tubing
- Use only fish-safe arrangements that cannot trap or tether a fish after a breakage
- Bait boats are allowed
- The rowing boat may be used at the angler’s own responsibility
- Carp over 40lb, all grass carp and catfish over 100lb must be photographed in the water
- Leave the swim, mobile home and surrounding bank clean
- Use the correct bins for general waste, bottles and glass
Forbidden
- No braided mainline except on marker and spod rods
- No leadcore or leaders
- No long-shank, curved or bent hooks
- No fixed, bolt or tethered systems
- No artificial or plastic hookbaits
- No nuts as loose feed or in baited areas
- No outside particle or pellets
- No dumping remaining bait into the lake when leaving
- Rods must never be left unattended
| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Calais | 329 miles |
| St. Malo | 76 miles |
| Caen | 125 miles |
| Cherbourge | 149 miles |
| Roscoff | 166 miles |
| Le Havre | 186 miles |
| Dieppe | 228 miles |
| Dunkirk | 350 miles |