This is our main match lake and is without doubt the best competition pool in the country. It is boomerang-shaped and six feet deep throughout. Stocked with a mixture of species; thousands of bream averaging 1lb, barbel up to 6lbs and tons of carp up to 7lbs, it is an ideal match and pleasure water for either waggler or pole anglers and is planted with a mixture of indigenous and ornamental trees. As part of the lake's maintenance programme carp over 7lbs are removed and put into other pools so that matches are not won with one or two big fish. It is not unusual for anglers to have over 40lbs of barbel or skimmers in their catches. Do not be surprised if you catch many superb crucian carp and brown goldfish averaging 1lb.

Because of the way the lake has been designed, the draw is not critical. Features have been created on the bankside, rather than in the water, so all anglers stand an equal chance of catching big weights.

Pretty Fish pool was given its name because, when it was first stocked, only the best and most perfectly formed fish were introduced. The result is that, whatever you catch, it will be a superb example of its species with perfect scales, fins and shape. The stock has been adjusted this winter and it now holds hundreds of ghost carp averaging 3lbs, although the odd one is in the low doubles, superb crucian carp and a sprinkling of rudd. Pretty Fish is about six feet deep throughout, although shallower at the narrow end, making it an ideal water for either pole or waggler fishing. There is nothing clever about fishing this pool - any bait and any technique seems to be the secret!

Uglies is famous for big weights. It contains mainly carp, a few of which are in the low 20's, hundreds of nice fish in double figures, and several hundred carp around 4lbs.

When the members had sorted out all the fish which were going in Pretty Fish they put the remainder in Uglies. Some of these fish were bred at Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station and quickly earned themselves the nickname of 'Martians'. Because these lived in shade for much of their early lives they tend to have slightly larger heads and eyes than the traditional mirror or common carp but provide excellent year-round sport because they feed until the water temperature drops to below four degrees, which lends to good winter fishing in the pool. Again, Uglies is about six feet deep throughout and as long as you can put a bait on the hook you can usually catch something!

Additional stocks of carp have been introduced into both of these pools over the winter. Pool 4 has plenty of skimmers, small bream and carp, and other carp up to 16lbs. Pool 5 has mainly quality carp up to 18lbs.

Fresh stocks of small carp were introduced into both these pools over the winter. Pool 6 has excellent mixed fishing, with plenty of silver fish and carp up to 8lbs. Pool 7 contains mainly carp but has a good sprinkling of quality skimmers.

Our newest pool is just starting to mature. It is one of our stock ponds but we allow it to be fished. It contains several thousand small carp, for growing on, and a few monsters.

At five-and-a-half acres, Foundation Lake is the main Mallory Park match water, where regular member competitions are held. Built in 1986 from a former wetland meadow which had a stream running through it, Foundation is recognised as a fabulous roach water where catches in excess of 50lbs are often taken. Its match record is over 180lbs!

Foundation Lake has an average depth of six feet, which we believe to be the best depth for optimum plant and fish growth, running from five feet deep at the far end to about eight feet by the dam. It has good balanced stocks of silver fish, mainly roach and skimmers, and is heaving with carp, which are mainly single figure fish.

As a rule, the best pegs tend to be those opposite the ends of the islands, which make a great feature for the fish. Anglers should also look to fish near to the plants which overhang the bankside on the islands or close in where trees and bushes provide features on the bankside.

Again, anything seems to go when it comes to fishing techniques, although our preferred method is to fish an 8oz waggler tight against the islands, with casters, sweetcorn or paste baits. The water is also good for those who prefer pole fishing.

Regarded by members as a semi-specimen water, the Big Lake in the centre of Mallory Park circuit holds massive stocks of carp up to 20lbs, and hundreds of double figure fish.

Angling is permitted anywhere around the lake except on the island, which is privately owned, and on the inside of Gerard's bend during race meetings. Fortunately for anglers this usually proves to be the least productive part of the lake. At 12 feet deep it is the deepest part of the lake and usually only holds any decent head of fish during hot summer weather when the fish retreat there to cooler waters. The depth throught the remainder of Big Lake averages about six feet and, whilst anglers stand a good chance of catching 100lb nets wherever they fish, the favoured pegs tend to be the pegs where you can cast to the ends of the island.

Another feature of Big Lake is that the bigger fish tend to stay in near the bank. Anglers casting further out still catch, but most anglers fish about four feet out from the bank on the float. On a slightly different note, Big Lake was the location of this infamous Bay City Rollers incident!

The smallest of all the Mallory Park Fisheries waters, the two lakes in the trees are ancient wild ponds which formed part of the Mallory Park estate long before it became a racing circuit. The pools are only small but they are never crowded and even in the summer there is usually no need to get there early if you want to fish. Because of their sheltered seclusion the pools can become very warm.

The bottom pool has been desilted this winter and will be stocked with thousands of small carp in the spring. The top pool holds carp up to about 20lbs as well as dozens of low and mid doubles. Both pools are only three to four feet deep, with even bottoms, so there is no need for long casting or complicated rigs. Indeed, like all our waters they are easy to fish. When it comes to baits you can catch on anything, although sweetcorn, bread and pellets seem to be the most effective.