Norton Disney
Carp Fishing Guide
Six lakes, more than 80 swims and options for both big hits and specimen carp. Here is everything worth knowing before your first trip.
Planning your first session at Norton Disney? The Embryo Angling day-ticket complex in Lincolnshire offers everything from highly stocked action waters to genuine big-fish lakes. Wayne and Foxy visited Stock’s Lake for a midweek session and found a clean, organised venue with plenty of choice and helpful staff.
Watch: Wayne and Foxy’s Norton Disney venue insight
Which lake should you choose?
For regular bites, begin with Stock’s or Hodgett’s. For a larger water with high stocks, consider Billy’s or Turner’s. If your priority is a specimen carp, Holden’s and Pettitt’s are the main target waters.
How the arrival system works
Report to the lodge on arrival. The team will explain current availability and the system for reserving an available swim. The main day-ticket complex operates on a turn-up-and-pay basis, with swims offered first come, first served.
Fresh Fishing visited midweek and found plenty of choice. Fridays and Saturdays are likely to be busier, so arrive with two or three suitable lakes in mind and ask the fishery team what has been producing.
The six Norton Disney lakes
An eight-acre, unusually shaped lake with more than 750 carp to well over 30lb. Shorter-range fishing and double swims make it excellent for socials, first visits and anglers looking for action.
A ten-acre water with the highest stocking density on the complex. A strong choice for younger or less experienced anglers and anyone prioritising bites.
A 27-acre gravel pit holding more than 1,000 carp, including fish over 40lb. Big hits are possible, but its size makes location especially important.
An 18-acre lake with many twenties, several thirties and carp over 40lb. Its fairly uniform lakebed means bait can become the key feature.
A deep 11-acre specimen lake containing more than 400 carp and a record above 48lb. Double swims provide good social options.
The principal big-fish water: 16 acres, a large head of thirties, multiple forties and carp over 50lb.
Finding spots and approaching the fishing
Some areas can be weedy, so take time with a marker rod and make sure you can feel the lead down properly. Clean holes within or beside weed can be excellent. Chod-style presentations can suit light debris, while solid bags and compact rigs are useful on clean areas.
Bait boats and hard boats are not permitted. Accurate casting, spodding and watercraft matter, particularly on the larger lakes. Watch for showing fish before committing and remain willing to respond to activity.
Key bait and rig rules
- No shelf-life boilies except hookbaits.
- From 1 April to 31 October: pellets, boilies, maize, sweetcorn and floaters only.
- From 1 November to 31 March: low-oil pellets, suitable boilies and freshly prepared particles or pulses.
- No nuts, maggots, casters, worms or other live baits.
- Barbless hooks only; properly crushed barbs are accepted.
- No 360 rigs. Ronnie/spinner rigs are allowed.
- Zigs are limited to one rod.
- Main line must be at least 0.35mm, or 0.33mm with tapered line.
- All spombs, spods and bait rockets must float.
Fish care and practical details
Nets, unhooking mats and weigh slings are provided. Do not take your own onto the complex, but do carry carp-care liquid.
During opening hours, call the fishery for carp over 30lb so staff can assist with photos. The winter threshold is over 20lb.
Payment is by card only. The current official price is £35 for 24 hours, £25 concessions and £18 day-only.
Vehicles must remain off the grass and anglers cannot unload at swims. A valid Environment Agency rod licence is also required.
Fresh Fishing verdict
Norton Disney succeeds because its six lakes offer genuinely different experiences on one tidy, well-run complex. You can target bites on Stock’s or Hodgett’s, step up to the larger stocked waters, or commit to specimen fishing on Holden’s and Pettitt’s.
For a first visit: travel midweek if possible, arrive with several lake options, ask the team what has been happening, locate fish before unloading and double-check your bait and rigs against the latest rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can you book a swim?
The main six-lake complex is turn up and pay, with swim choice first come, first served.
How much is 24-hour fishing?
The official price checked in September 2026 is £35, with £25 concessions and £18 day-only fishing.
Are bait boats allowed?
No. Bait boats and hard boats are not permitted.
Which lakes are best for bites?
Stock’s and Hodgett’s are the easier, more highly stocked waters. Billy’s and Turner’s also contain large stocks but cover more water.
Can you use shelf-life boilies?
No, except as hookbaits. Seasonal bait restrictions also apply.
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