
Poplars Lake
Carp to over 43lb

Poplars Lake
Carp to over 43lb

Poplars Lake
Catfish to over 35lb

Poplars Lake
Carp to over 43lb

Poplars Lake
Carp to over 43lb
Lake
Stock
Facilities
Bait
Rules
Gallery
Map
About This Lake
Poplars Lake – Action-Packed Carp Fishing at the Heart of the Complex
Poplars Lake is the first lake you encounter on entering the Famous Five Lake Complex and sets the tone perfectly for what’s on offer.
Covering approximately 2 acres, Poplars is a predominantly carp lake that can, at times, fish very much like a runs water — ideal for anglers who enjoy regular action alongside the chance of a standout capture.
Lake Profile
Like the other lakes on the complex, Poplars is clay based, with areas of silt and exposed gravel that offer a variety of productive spots.
No known snags, though natural root systems and undercut banks add interest
No weed growth and no history of algal blooms
Established water lilies at the top end of the lake
A well-balanced, angler-friendly water suitable for all abilities
A Lake Transformed
When Poplars was first taken on in 2022, the challenge was immense:
Around one-third of the lake surface was lost to fallen trees and in-lake growth
Water quality was extremely poor
Fish survival was uncertain
Fast forward to today:
Margins are now fully defined
All in-lake trees removed
Water quality restored to optimal levels
A balanced stock achieved through an aggressive de-catting programme
The result is a lake that is rapidly becoming one of the standout waters on the Famous Five complex.
Results That Speak for Themselves
Local short sessions regularly produce 12–15 carp in 24 hours
Week-long sessions can yield 50+ carp
In just three years, Poplars has been completely transformed into a productive, exciting carp lake
Fish Stock & Species
Poplars Lake offers an impressive and diverse stock, making every session exciting:
Carp to 43lb
Average weight around 28lb
Numerous 30lb+ carp
Very few carp under 20lb, thanks to careful stock management
Predominantly Czech / Hungarian strain carp, known for rapid weight gain
Sturgeon max 78lbs
Grass carp to approximately 28lb
Bighead carp and koi carp
Pike
Zander
Black bass
Roach
Catfish & Predator Management
A small number of Wels catfish are present, currently thought to be no larger than 35lb. Their numbers are being gradually reduced, with the long-term aim of removing catfish entirely, ensuring Poplars remains a high-action carp-focused lake.
The zander stock, currently around 3–4 years old, is thriving and showing excellent growth potential.
Poplars Lake – Ongoing Investment & Proven Results
Poplars Lake is a perfect example of the commitment and care that goes into every Famous Five water. Continuous stock management, restocking, and lake improvements have transformed Poplars into what is fast becoming a showcase lake for the complex.
New Fish Stock – 2025
November 2025
Introduction of a new predator species: Black Bass, enhancing balance and sport
December 2025
Four quality carp added:
Bighead carp – 37lb 13oz
Common carp – 32lb 9oz
Mirror carp – 30lb 3oz
Stunning koi carp – 11lb
Further restocking is scheduled for December 2025, with the next full netting planned for early winter 2026.
Facilities
Accommodation – The Famous “Home Swim”
During the 2024/25 closed season, the original mobile home was replaced with a significantly upgraded unit.
Mobile home 1 double 1 single bed and pull out bed
Enhancements include:
A front decking area
A short pontoon extending onto the lake
Direct access to the water from the accommodation
This much-loved setup is now known as the “Home Swim”, offering one of the most convenient and immersive fishing experiences on the complex.
Superb Food Package available across all Famous Five lakes
Enjoy high-quality meals throughout your stay, available to all guests.
More Value –
Bring the family — non-fishing guests stay free, and pets are welcome
Bait
We have an extensive bait package that is available upon your arrival at The Famous Five
About the boilies …
The 18mm frozen boilies are freshly prepared locally, air dried and then frozen. There are no preservatives and no fillers. The baits are manufactured by an English bait specialist and are used across many lakes across this region of France. The Cranberry and caviar boilies are used as part of the feeding regime across the year.
WHAT’S IN OUR BAIT
Of-course there are too many ingredients to list here but here’s a brief insight into a few of the ingredients we use, their proprieties and functions within our baits.
Fishmeals
Generally produced from the by-products of the commercial fishing industry – often, left over flesh, bone and offal. This then undergoes a drying process before reaching its powdered form, fishmeals are widely used to produce aquatic feeds.
There are various types of fishmeal available with varying qualities, one of our preferred choices of insoluble fishmeal is a low temperature fishmeal produced from white fish, due to the low temperatures in the production process this ensures higher levels of key nutrients are preserved providing a comprehensive range of amino acids, high levels of digestible protein, and offering a relatively low oil content when compared to some others that are available.
Pre-digested Fishmeal
Unlike standard fishmeal this product as the name suggests has undergone treatment to render it pre-digested, the science behind this process relies on enzymatic hydrolysis.
The result is a fishmeal which is extremely attractive to fish, loaded with free amino acids, extremely high in digestible proteins and is highly soluble in water.
Lambs Milk Replacer
Lower in protein than some refined milk powders, lambs milk replacer is a functional bait ingredient that provides a range of benefits to a finished bait. It is rich in globular proteins, lipids and key vitamins (A & D) being water soluble it acts as an effective fish attractor, it aids binding and provides a very mild sweet undertone in a bait which helps to remove the bitterness of some other ingredients.
Acid Casein
A refined spray dried milk protein. It’s extremely high quality, offering protein levels in excess of 90% it also supplies a range of key amino acids. Whilst providing functional qualities to a bait, it aids rolling through it’s binding qualities and is semi water soluble.
Rennet Casein
Like Acid Casein, Rennet Casein a very high quality refined product offering in excess of 90% protein, rich in amino acids, providing an excellent rounded profile when used in conjunction with other milk proteins.
Sluis CLO
Widely used in many different bait formats, CLO is a multi-functional ingredient that brings many benefits to any bait. High in starch CLO aids the digestion of protein it’s rich in carbohydrates providing a valuable energy source, aids texture and “crunch” along with the benefits derived from the inclusion of cod liver oil – omega 3 fatty acids.
Haiths Robin Red
An all-time classic that has been used in boilies almost from their inception, arguably the most successful fish attractor of all time, this nutritionally beneficial ingredient adds serious pulling power to a bait, it has a spicy taste and aroma which fish find irresistible and as you’d expect adds a deep red colour to a bait when used at optimum levels.
Yeast
Brocacel Yeast is a spray dried pure yeast culture and brings a whole range of benefits to a bait. It is widely used in animal feeds to increase palatability, being water soluble it is naturally very attractive to carp. It improves digestion, absorption, gut function promoting beneficial bacteria growth.
Brocacel improves the immunity of carp and enhances the capability to with stand stress. Brocacel is rich in vitamin B, contains a complete range of amino acids as well as being high in protein and carbohydrates.
Vitamins
To further enhance all of our baits, we use a specialist vitamin supplement premix which ensures all the key vitamins required by carp are available
Krillz
This superb fishmeal bait that is sure to be a firm favourite with carp and anglers alike.
This krill based bait is similar in make up to the Envy, rich in amino acids and digestible proteins.
Containing low temperature fishmeal’s, pre-digested fishmeals, soluble milk proteins, vegetable proteins, high quality bird foods, brocacel yeast along with our vitamin premix.
The Krillz also benefits from a generous helping of premium quality Atlantic krillmeal, the infamous Haiths Robin Red along with liquid feeds such as Krill Hydrolsate and Scottish salmon oil.
KS-1 BOILIES
KS1 is a creamy blend of easily digestible including bird foods, brewer’s yeast, vanilla, Brocacel yeast culture, milk proteins, Clo and Kelp. Developed to ensure fish get an extensive mix of amino acids and vitamins. It is made using the finest ingredients with no fillers to ensure the best nutritional value and growth for the fish.
Twisted Tuna BOILIES
Twisted tuna is a blend of tuna, krill, predigested & cray fishmeals along with a milk protein give the bait a good balanced protein base. With the inclusion of bird foods including Robin Red along with CLO this bait has been developed to ensure the fishes best health and weights
Available in Cranberry and Black Caviar or Squid and octopus
About the particle …
Is freshly prepared on site containing a mixture of locally sourced maize and wheat. It is pre-soaked with additives for at least 24 hours before being cooked and allowed to rest. This mix is used throughout the year as part of the feeding regime.
About This Lake
We don’t want to be too draconian or prescriptive in our approach to angling at Famous Five Fishing. But we love our fish and we adore the environments in which they are located. And we know our guests feel the same way and will love and respect all that we have created.
Mainline and Terminal Tackle
● Mainline: 18lb minimum (20lb+ recommended on Eagles)
● No braided main line, except on spod or marker rods.
● Hooklink: 35lb minimum
● No lead core or leaders.
● Minimum 18inches of rig tubing.
● Barbless hooks only.
● No curved, bent or long shanked hooks.
● No fixed/bolt or tethered rigs (ronnie, 360, spinner)
Bait
● Tinned or frozen sweetcorn is allowed. No plastic hookbaits and no nuts (except as hookbaits).
● Bait boats are allowed. A rowing boat is available at the risk of the angler
● Only particle and pellet purchased on-site can be used
● No dumping of unused baits at the end of the week.
Fishing
● 3 rods per angler maximum which must not be left unattended.
● All rods must be a minimum of 3lb test curve.
● Stalking with one rod is allowed wherever it is safe to do so.
● All carp over 40lbs, cats over 100lbs and all grass carp are to be photographed in the water
Environment
Keep the swims clean and tidy. Please use the rubbish bins provided at each swim. Please ensure all glass and bottles goes in to the appropriately labelled dustbin.
Interested In Poplars Lake?
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