Clearwater Fisheries - Scrape Lake

Scrape Lake at Clearwater Fisheries is an eight-acre, purpose-built carp water located in the Lancashire countryside. Excavated with the specific intention of creating a premier carp angling environment, the lake was designed to offer a variety of challenges and features to test anglers of all abilities. The water is exceptionally clear, a characteristic that demands a thoughtful and stealthy approach from those who fish its banks.

The lakebed is a complex topography of features. Anglers will find prominent gravel bars, deep silt channels, firm clay spots, and distinct marginal shelves. Depths vary considerably, from shallow 3-foot areas in the margins and on top of bars, to deeper 9-foot holes in the main body of the water. This variation provides the carp with a diverse habitat throughout the year, requiring anglers to adapt their tactics to the prevailing conditions and seasons.

A central island serves as the lake's primary feature, with its margins and underwater shelves being consistent patrol routes for the resident carp. The island creates channels and bays, offering fish sanctuary and providing anglers with obvious features to target.

Ten spacious, wood-chipped swims are strategically placed around the perimeter. The design ensures that each angler has a significant area of water to command, minimising interference and line-crosses. Many of the swims offer direct vehicle access, allowing for equipment to be unloaded with ease. The swims are well-maintained, providing a stable and comfortable base for sessions of any length.

Weed growth is present, primarily consisting of Canadian Pondweed, which flourishes in the clear water during the warmer months. While it can present an angling challenge, it also provides a rich natural larder for the carp and serves as a key holding area. Locating and fishing clear spots within or on the edge of these weed beds is a highly effective tactic. The lake's environment is managed to promote a healthy aquatic ecosystem, which in turn supports the growth and condition of its prized carp stock.