About us

Lake Varlaam is a beautiful mature gravel pit with an abundance of overhanging trees. It was dug in the mid-1990s and later divided into two lakes called Sector A (7 ha) and Sector B (25ha). Both lakes are a maze of features (plateaus, gravel bars, islands, points and bays) and variable depths, therefore location is key to catching. The lakes are managed by two bailiffs who speak good English, and are kept in perfect condition with purpose built swims. The lakes are partly surrounded by woodland and willows providing protection and privacy. They are are packed with zebra mussels which provide the carp with tons of natural food all year round and maintain an excellent growth rate.

On Sector A (the small lake) there is a good stock of about 200-250 common and mirror carp, the largest being a common carp of 33.6kg (caught in March 2024), with many over 20kg and most over 15kg. Several other large carp are approaching 30 kg. The much larger Sector B has around 700-750 common and mirror carp with about 50 carp over 20kg, several of which are over 25kg. The lake record is 30kg. It is an open body of water with almost no snags and lots of attractive features, including two large islands and variable depths. On both lakes the carp are mainly commons with high shoulders, large mouths and large fins. There are also a number of mirrors with a similar shape. The lakes have no crayfish or Poisson chat.

There were 355 carp captures (commons and mirrors) over 20kg in 2023. This refers to all captures. Obviously, some carp were caught several times throughout the year. There were 143 carp captures over 20kg on Sector A and 212 carp captures over 20kg on Sector B. Out of the 355 captures, 92 were over 24kg.   

Lake Varlaam is perfectly safe and maintained to offer excellent facilities including charging points for mobile phones, bait boats and other electrical equipment, clean toilets and shower blocks, convenient parking and easy access. All anglers get as much help and information as possible to enable them to catch fish. The bailiffs are available at all times and will go out regardless of the time night or day to photograph all 20kg+ fish.