Off the B4449, Near Hardwick Village, Witney
Oxfordshire
Welcome to Linear Fisheries
Probably the best day ticket carp waters in the UK
At Linear Fisheries we aim to provide a safe and memorable angling experience, offering excellent fishing and customer service whilst still maintaining a profitable, sustainable business and managing the surrounding environment in a sympathetic manner. The team at Linear have a passion for angling and are driven to provide the best Day-Ticket and Syndicate waters in the country. This is our Mission Statement and something we constantly strive to achieve.
We now also have a large, well-stocked fishing tackle and convenience store known as ‘Linear Bait & Tackle’ please follow this link for more information on our shop. Linear Bait & Tackle
Within the pages of this website is much of the information you need to start fishing our waters at Oxford and much more that we hope will be of interest to newcomers and regulars alike. In the Gallery section you will find photos of some of the lovely fish our lakes have produced over the last year or so, along with our rules and other useful information that will help with your trip to the complex. Every year, since 1990 we have produced either an annual newsletter or brochure, and 2021 is no exception. Our current free brochure can be ordered or downloaded from this website, where you can also order a copy of our New Fishery DVD. In recent years we implemented a scheme which allowed children under the age of twelve to fish for free on the Day Ticket Waters providing they are accompanied by a paying adult angler and fishing in the same swim. This scheme was very well received, so well that from 2017 we decided to extend the scheme to cover all children under the age of 16. This concession will only apply during the UK school holiday breaks and weekends. More details of this can be found on the Prices Pages of this web site.
Can we please ask everyone who plans to visit our fishery to make sure they are aware of all our fishery rules. These rules help us maintain the site, help protect our environment and the amazing stock of fish that resides in our waters. They also play a massive part in ensuring your visit to the fishery is as enjoyable as possible. Our rules are enforced, so please take time to read them before you arrive.
All of us at Linear Oxford are dedicated to the continued running of a well-kept and well stocked fishery, not just for carp anglers but for all who wish to fish them – be it for tench, roach, bream, pike, perch and catfish – all of which abound in our waters.
From all at Linear – ENJOY THE WEBSITE AND BE LUCKY. Chris Blunt – General Manager.
Stock ponds and fish rearing
Linear has a number of stock ponds where they grow on carp from fry all the way up to over 30lb plus. In recent years the fishery has enjoyed some excellent results from the stock ponds and in the past fish of just 1lb in weight have gained as much as 7lb in nine months of controlled feeding. In addition to the stock ponds there is also a fish house where lesser numbers of selected carp are being reared in more controlled conditions.
Depending on size, any fish moved from these stock ponds are either transferred directly to the fishing lakes or into other stock ponds for on-growing to even bigger sizes. Over the last couple of years we have stocked out hundreds of carp to main day ticket and syndicate lakes, these fish come from our own stock ponds along with fish supplied directly from Priory, Heather and VS Fisheries. These recent introductions along with the existing stocking and all the fish we currently have growing-on should see the fishing just get better and better at the complex.
Day Ticket Waters
Brasenose One
Currently the second largest of Linear’s carp lakes
With a big 32 acres of water to fish this long, open, reed fringed lake has become very popular as a day ticket water and like all our other waters there is no limit to the time an angler can stay.
We now believe that the water holds at least 50 different mirrors in excess of thirty pounds. The biggest of these has been caught at over 44lb and is the lake record. Weights on the water continue to rise and multiple catches are commonplace. We at Linear are confident that the water, under our careful management, will become even more popular in the future.
The large head of carp this water contains continues to produce some stunning results with at least 45% of its estimated 1,900 stock believed to weigh in excess of twenty pounds and a majority of the remainder now being upper doubles, Brasenose One continues to provide great sport for the visiting angler.
As with the other ticket waters the stocking policy on the Brasenose One Lake is on-going and more carp are being raised to go into this water in the near future.
There are tracks around most of the lake and parking in many places is within easy walking distance of most swims.
Brasenose Two
Linear’s largest carp water and one to watch.
We now estimate the carp stock to be around 1,900 fish. A high percentage of the fish stocked have been commons, fully scaled and linear scaled, all of which are maturing rapidly and already Brasenose Two is starting to rival its sister lake Brasenose One as a runs-water. In recent years many more anglers began to enjoy some remarkable multiple captures and a high percentage of these fish included twenties.
Records now stand at over 40lb for a mirror [caught in 2015], 33lb for a common and 30lb 01oz for a ghost carp.
Hardwick Lake and Smiths Pool
Two of Linear’s original carp lakes
Joined together by a narrow channel these two waters provide some first class fishing and contain some very pretty carp which were selected intentionally for the waters.
Linear estimate the carp stock to be just over 1,000 fish with a high number of these in excess of twenty pounds in weight. There are at least 20 over thirty pounds and over the last four years fish to over 40lb have been recorded.
The lake record for a common carp is 39.14, for a mirror it is 43.10 and for a ghost carp it is 25lb.
It is Linear’s policy to regularly stock this water.
In addition to the carp, the waters also hold some tremendous fish of other species. In past years there have been pike caught to over 31lb, bream
over 15lb, tench to 11lb plus, and roach to 3lb 15oz.
During the last couple of years, we have had reports of two catfish being caught from the water, these fish shouldnt be there and probably moved as small fish back in 2007 during the summer floods. We have a temporary licence with the EA but they must be removed from the water when caught. If anyone lands a cat from the water, please retain it in their net a contact one of the fishery team.
Hunts Corner Lake
Linear’s exclusive carp lake
This lovely lake of over nine acres is situated just a few minutes drive away from the main complex. It is stocked with over 400 carp, and at least 40% of these are estimated at over twenty pounds in weight. There are a number of different thirties present in the water to low 40’s.
Linear continue to keep the water well stocked. A number of carp were recently stocked and there will be more introduced in the near future.
Hunts Corner Lake is a secluded, long rectangular shaped gravel pit that is well matured. There are only ten swims that have been situated in a way to give the angler more seclusion and nearly an acre of water to fish. Because of this prices are slightly higher than our other ticket waters and in line with our other waters places are available on a first-come first-served basis – we do not take bookings for individual swims but can take bookings for the whole lake.
Access to Hunts is through the main Oxlease gate which is locked at night. Please remember that the Oxlease gate will be locked for security reasons at night. If you arrive after it is locked you must park in the early arrival car park by Hardwick Lake until we open at 8am. You must not block the gate or park alongside the track leading past Newlands Angling Club – if you do so you may be asked to leave the fishery.
PLEASE TAKE CARE IF CROSSING THE B4449 ROAD FROM THE HARDWICK CAR PARK.
Hunts Corner Pond
This lovely little secluded pond is adjacent to Hunts Corner Lake and hidden by a hedgerow that borders that lake on its left-hand side. It is just a short walk from the Hunts Corner Lake car park, just follow the hedgerow along the main lakeside from the car park and you will come to the entrance in the hedge on your left.
Because of its size, Linear has made it a one rod only water and there are 15 well-spaced swims around its banks making it an ideal water for holding small matches. It is well stocked with a variety of fish making it ideal for the beginner or the pleasure angler who wants to enjoy some good sport.
Tickets are £8 for the day or part of the day with a £1 concession for OAP’s and juniors [under 16]. The pond can be booked for the whole day for a match for £120. There is no night fishing allowed on the water.
Rules
Rules for Hunts Corner Pond
It is Linear’s policy to be fair and honest with the visitors to their waters and for this reason we have no silly rules. Very few visitors are banned from the waters or told to leave but the bailiffs will send anglers away if they blatantly disregard the rules that we do have. For instance anglers have been told to leave after parking their vehicles on the grass having driven past notices saying they should not do so, unloading their tackle in unauthorised places where there could be a danger to themselves or others, lighting fires on the bank, being abusive and spoiling the fishing for others, leaving their rods unattended and leaving litter. Linear is now operating a zero tolerance policy to any acts of aggression or abuse towards its bailiffs and staff.
One rod only.
Day fishing only on Hunts Pond – No night fishing. (See below for gate locking times).
You must possess a “Hunts Corner Pond” ticket to fish this water. These tickets are non transferable to other Linear waters. (Tickets are obtainable on the bankside from Linear Bailiffs).
Barbless hooks or micro-barbs only.
Maximum size-14 pole elastic.
No floater fishing.
All anglers must have a landing net and unhooking mat with them to fish this water.
All fish to be returned to the water immediately after capture (except in official matches).
No keepnets or sacks allowed (keepnets allowed in official matches only).
No more than 30lb in each keepnet (matches only).
Silver fish, tench and perch must be kept in a separate keepnet from any carp during matches.
Do not hold fish in towels.
No braided mainline or rigs allowed.
There are no bait restrictions but please use any bait in moderation (bailiffs discretion applies in this case).
All litter and discarded line MUST be removed from you swim when you leave the fishery.
Unused bait must not be left on the bankside or thrown in after you finish fishing. Please take all unused bait home with you.
No fishing between swims – Please respect anglers fishing in the adjacent peg or across from you.
Please do not disturb the anglers fishing Hunts Corner Lake.
No reserving of pegs for other anglers.
No swimming or wading.
You must not leave your rod unattended.
You must hold a current E.A. Rod Licence.
No fish to be taken onto the site from outside sources.
No transferring of fish between waters – No fish to be taken away or killed.
Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
No driving or parking on the grass at any of the Linear waters.
No dogs except on a lead and under control.
Anglers fishing Oxlease or Hunts Corner Lake and Pond must wait in the main Hardwick car park until the gates to the above mentioned waters are opened. Do Not block the Oxlease or park along the track adjacent to Newlands Angling Club.
Gates will be locked at 6pm from Oct 1st until end of Feb and 9pm from March 1st until end of Sept.
Please ensure you leave the water half an hour before the above times to ensure you don’t get locked in.
Day tickets are available from the Linear Bailiffs who patrol the waters regularly. You may start fishing at your chosen lake when you arrive and pay the bailiffs when they come around. It is not necessary to book swims on the fishery – we do not take bookings – just turn up and pay the bailiffs on the bank. There is usually room on our day ticket waters at the busiest of times. The highest possible standard of behaviour will be expected from all.
Access
Access to Hunts Corner Pond is through the main Oxlease gate which is locked at night. As with Oxlease and Hunts Corner Lake anyone arriving during lock up times must wait on the Hardwick/Brasenose track at the main site until the gates are unlocked by 8am. Anglers fishing this water should ensure that to avoid being locked in at night they give themselves enough time to pack up and reach the main gate in time. Details of locking times will be displayed on the day permit which can be obtained on the bank.
Manor Farm Lake
One of Linear’s original carp waters and probably the best for big fish
Manor Farm Lake at approximately 14 acres is as mature as the adjacent St. Johns and just as popular. Manor was Linear’s original big fish water and although St.Johns took this title away for a while, Manor is now right back up there.
We estimate that the water contains around 700 carp which includes at least forty different thirties. During the last couple of years, five different 40lb plus fish have been landed from the water. The lake records stand at 48.13 for a mirror, 35lb for a ghost carp and 36.08 for a common, all caught in recently.
Plenty of back up fish in excess of twenty pounds along with numerous upper doubles are present. Linear’s stocking policy on this water is on-going with a low number of selected, fast growing carp being introduced whenever necessary.
Other fish should not be neglected – the water contains a big head of tench [caught to over 12lbs], pike and rudd which can provide top class sport for those who choose to fish for them.
And for those that didn’t realise, Manor also hosts a small head of catfish, not as big as their neighbours in St. Johns but growing well.
Oxlease Lake
One of Linear’s gems – never underestimate this stunning carp lake
The 26 acre Oxlease Lake is situated off the B4449 as you approach the main ticket complex from Oxford just beyond the West Oxfordshire Sailing Club Lake; it is well sign-posted.
Linear believes that with the stocking they have carried out the water now holds over 1,600 carp. We believe that there are now at least sixty, probably more, different 30 pound fish present along with a healthy number of twenties and doubles. The new lake record for a mirror carp is 45.04 and for a common it is 52.14. Oxlease could potentially have more thirties and forties present than St. Johns and Manor combined in a few years time!
Pike to over 22 pounds and tench to over 11 pounds have been recorded caught and can provide superb sport on this lovely water.
One Summer Pond
One Summer Pond is located next to Linear’s tackle shop and is a one-rod only water where night fishing is not allowed. Formerly a stock pond, this small water is perfect for anyone who wants to get a bend in the rod and is ideally suited to beginners and junior anglers – in fact anglers under 16 fish for free! Rules are pretty much the same as those for Hunts Corner Pond.
The pond is stocked with loads of small carp, averaging around 3lb, but there are a few bigger ones to just over double figures. We have also stocked plenty of lovely crucian carp, they are great sport on the float, but can be tricky to catch! The water also contains some nice tench and a few silvers.
Please remember that keep-nets are not allowed except for pre-booked matches and that all nets and weigh-slings MUST be dipped in the net dip station next to the water.
St Johns Lake
Probably the best big carp day ticket water in the UK
Arguably the most famous day ticket water in the country, this 18 acre gravel pit has proved itself as one of the top day ticket lakes on the Linear site for many years and is well known throughout the carp fishing fraternity. We at Linear have lost count of the many anglers who on their first visit to this very scenic water have gone home thrilled in the knowledge that they had caught a personal best carp, tench, catfish, pike or even bream there.
A majority of the carp that the water now holds are in excess of twenty pounds in weight with at least 40 weighing in excess of 30lbs. Many of these bigger fish have been caught at over 36lb and at the right time of the year at least seven of them have been recorded in excess of 40 pounds. In fact during recent years, four different fish were caught in excess of 47lb. The complex record for a common is 48lb and for a mirror it is 48.12 pounds.
St. Johns, along with Manor Farm Lake for their sizes, could possibly be amongst the most prolific twenties and thirties day ticket waters in the country and with the carp in both lakes continuing to grow, Linear expect the waters to produce even bigger fish in the future.
Linear is continuing a stocking policy on St. Johns that has seen nearly 400 good size carp introduced over the last four years the continuing plan is to introduce selected fish from their stock waters on a regular basis
The tench fishing is first class and fish to over 12lb along with bream of over 15lb have been recorded. Catfish regularly feature in catches and continue to be targeted by dedicated catfish anglers, the biggest recorded in 2016 was a staggering 90lb, a new lake record. We are reliably informed that there are now five fish over 70lb in the water, one which weighs over 80lb and the other 90lb. Pike to over 20lbs have been caught and in the past the water has produced them to over 28lbs.
Syndicate Waters
Gaunts Lake [Part of Guy Lakes Carp Syndicate]
Gaunts Lake is the third in line and is arguably the prettiest of all the waters on the Linear site. Containing a tree-covered island, this lake of approximately twenty acres is also fringed with reeds and very mature trees.
Last year Gaunts produced both mirror and common carp to over 40lb, this included a new lake record common and 52lb 09oz mirror.
Linear believe the water also holds at least twenty different 30 pound plus fish, including the three forties and one fifty that have been reported to us. We estimate that there are just over 500 carp in the water and the records for this water stand at: mirror carp 52.09, common carp 44.11 and ghost carp 29lb.
Linear will continue to stock the water when and wherever necessary with carp from their stock waters. A small number of selected carp were introduced to all three waters in 2018.
The Guy Lakes consists of three lakes – Gaunts, Unity and Yeomans, all of which can be fished on a single syndicate permit.
THE PRICE FROM APRIL 1ST 2018 IS £695 AND COVERS ALL THREE LAKES FOR A FULL YEAR FROM THE DATE OF JOINING – ON APPLICATION: LINEAR WILL ACCEPT SPREAD PAYMENTS OVER 12 MONTHS TO COVER THIS FEE.
There are 10% reduction concessions for husband and wife/girlfriend and an adult with a son or daughter under 16 years of age.
Linear will accept members who are under 16 years of age but an adult member must accompany them when fishing. The lakes are for angling members only although members may apply for very limited guest tickets.
GUEST TICKETS
Guest tickets will only be issued from September 1st to March 31st. Linear will not be allowing more than two guests on the waters in any one day. Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis and must be applied for in writing with payment at least two weeks in advance, please see rules.
Unity Lake [Part of Guy Lakes Carp Syndicate]
Next to Yeomans and the first car park, you will find Unity, which at approximately 25 acres is the biggest of the three lakes. Unity does not contain any islands but there are plenty of features on this water which is reed and tree fringed and contains approximately 500 carp including a number of ghost carp.
The best ghost carp caught in recent years weighed 42.08 and is the new lake record; lake record for mirror carp is 45lb and for common 45.13. A high percentage of the carp present now weigh in excess of twenty pounds with at least twenty over thirty – three of which, at the right time of year, have been caught at over 37 pounds and two over 40 pounds. Including a number of ghost carp.
Linear will continue to stock the syndicate waters when and wherever necessary with selected carp from their stock waters. A number of these selected carp will be introduced in 2017.
The Guy Lakes consists of three lakes – Gaunts, Unity and Yeomans, all of which can be fished on a single syndicate permit.
THE PRICE FROM APRIL 1ST 2018 IS £695 AND COVERS ALL THREE LAKES FOR A FULL YEAR FROM THE DATE OF JOINING – ON APPLICATION: LINEAR WILL ACCEPT SPREAD PAYMENTS OVER 12 MONTHS TO COVER THIS FEE.
There are 10% reduction concessions for husband and wife/girlfriend and an adult with a son or daughter under 16 years of age.
Linear will accept members who are under 16 years of age but an adult member must accompany them when fishing. The lakes are for angling members only although members may apply for very limited guest tickets.
GUEST TICKETS
Guest tickets will only be issued from September 1st to March 31st. Linear will not be allowing more than two guests on the waters in any one day. Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis and must be applied for in writing with payment at least two weeks in advance, please see rules.
Yeomans Lake [Part of Guy Lakes Carp Syndicate]
At fifteen acres, the first and smallest lake you come to after crossing the river bridge to the Guy Lakes complex is Yeomans Lake. This water contains an island and is reed and tree fringed.
We estimate that there are over 450 carp in the water with at least sixteen of these topping 30lbs, amongst the biggest caught over the last couple of years was a common of 36 pounds and a mirror over 42 pounds – the records for the water are: mirror carp 42lb, common carp 38.08. Linear will continue to stock the water when and wherever necessary with selected carp from their stock waters.
The water continues to produce good fish and recorded weights continue to rise.
The Guy Lakes consists of three lakes – Gaunts, Unity and Yeomans, all of which can be fished on a single syndicate permit.
THE PRICE FROM APRIL 1ST 2018 IS £695 AND COVERS ALL THREE LAKES FOR A FULL YEAR FROM THE DATE OF JOINING – ON APPLICATION: LINEAR WILL ACCEPT SPREAD PAYMENTS OVER 12 MONTHS TO COVER THIS FEE.
There are 10% reduction concessions for husband and wife/girlfriend and an adult with a son or daughter under 16 years of age.
Linear will accept members who are under 16 years of age but an adult member must accompany them when fishing. The lakes are for angling members only although members may apply for very limited guest tickets.
GUEST TICKETS
Guest tickets will only be issued from September 1st to March 31st. Linear will not be allowing more than two guests on the waters in any one day. Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis and must be applied for in writing with payment at least two weeks in advance, please see rules.
