Also known as the Silver Fish Lakes at Birch House Lakes, Mallard and Teal tend to be regarded as one water as they are both canal-style venues ideally suited for pole fishing. However, the larger of the two – the three canal 55-peg Mallard Lake – has a large rectangular bay at one end which also makes it suitable for either waggler, swimfeeder or straightforward ledger fishing. Teal has a total of 21 pegs.

In addition to a few errant carp, both waters are heavily stocked with a selection of silver fish. These include roach and rudd to 1lb 8oz, bream to 8lbs, perch between 8oz and 1lb, chub to about 1lb, green and golden tench to about 2lbs and both blue and golden orfe and ide.

Offering a total of just under 80 concreted pegs, Mallard and Teal run between four and eight feet deep and are great year-round waters which particularly come into their own in winter. Both are ideal match and pleasure venues and although not particularly popular because of the current trend for carp fishing are two places where those who do fish them tend to bag up.

Equipped with their own toilets and car park, Mallard and Teal also have the attraction for anglers who enjoy solitude that, being at the far end of the Birch House site, they are normally quieter than the other lakes – except on Sunday mornings when the nearby church bells announce the morning services!

Wigeon

The Wigeon once formed part of the Mallard at these Silver Fish Lakes when they were made up of 2 lakes, the Teal and Mallard. Now the Wigeon has been carved out of the Mallard and it forms a canal-style lake situated next to Brailsford Brook. Wigeon is 15 metres wide and runs to a depth of up to 6 feet.

Wigeon has 18 pegs.

Fish

The Wigeon is heavily stocked with a selection of silver fish. These include carp up to 23lbs, roach and rudd to 1lb 8oz, bream to 8lbs, perch between 8oz and 1lb, chub to about 1lb, green and golden tench to about 2lbs and both blue and golden orfe, ide, skimmers and goldfish.

Method

Wigeon is popular on both the pole and the waggler methods. Anglers should remember that loose feeding floating offerings is not allowed as this can interfere with other anglers swims.

Bait

Bait on the Wigeon is similar to the other lakes to include pellets, yellow sweetcorn and maggots.

Mallard

Along with the Teal, the Mallard formed one of the original Silver Fish Lakes. The Mallard is the largest of the 3 lakes and has a large rectangular bay at one end which also makes it suitable for either waggler, swim-feeder or straightforward ledger fishing. It is situated between Wigeon and Teal and offers a canal style lake running to a width of up to 16 metres and 18 metres at the widest part. This lake runs between 4 and 8 feet deep are great year-round waters which particularly come into their own in winter

Mallard has 18 pegs.

Fish

The Mallard is heavily stocked with a selection of silver fish. These include roach and rudd to 1lb 8oz, bream to 8lbs, perch between 8oz and 1lb, chub to about 1lb, green and golden tench to about 2lbs and both blue and golden orfe, ide, skimmers and goldfish.

Method

The Mallard suits pole, waggler and feeder fishing.

Bait

Bait on the Mallard is similar to the other lakes to include pellets, yellow sweetcorn and maggots.

Teal

The Teal is one of the original Silver Fish lakes and offers a canal style lake running to a depth of between 3.5 to 6 feet. The Teal is the smallest of the 3 lakes but don’t let this fool you, this lake has proven very popular with club matches and Summer anglers throughout the season. 

Teal has 21 pegs.

Fish

The Teal is heavily stocked with a selection of silver fish. These include carp up to 23lbs, roach and rudd to 1lb 8oz, bream to 8lbs, perch between 8oz and 1lb, chub to about 1lb, green and golden tench to about 2lbs and both blue and golden orfe, ide, skimmers and goldfish.

Method

Teal is similar to Wigeon and Mallard and offers a canal style layout proving to be popular on both the pole and the waggler methods. Anglers should remember that loose feeding floating offerings is not allowed as this can interfere with other anglers swims.

Bait

Bait on the Teal is similar to the other lakes to include pellets, yellow sweetcorn and maggots.