Rudyard Lake

Description
Rudyard Lake is quite a large water, some three miles long, from the dam at Rudyard to the shallows at Rushton. Controlled by British Waterways the main use of the reservoir is to feed water into the local canal system. Constructed in the 1700's Rudyard has always been regarded as a local beauty spot. From the Victorian period to the present day all have enjoyed the different leisure activities available including walking, cycling, sailing and of course fishing. Well known for its fishing Rudyard has produced some excellent catches over the years. Huge shoals of roach and bream have drawn anglers from all over the country to fish the matches held here. Predator anglers have also been keen to fish Rudyard, many have been lucky enough to land some of the big pike resident here (20lb plus) and some of the perch (3lb plus) both of which can be found in good numbers.
Contour structure at Rudyard is consistent, a typical reservoir layout of a gradient running from shallows to dam. Depths vary at different times of the year due to its nature and use. During winter depths at the dam end can be around 30 ft dropping to 20 ft in the summer. The clarity of the water varies, during wet periods the river Dane floods filling the shallows with coloured water.
Tactics
When pike or perch fishing all methods produce fish. Because of the size of the lake one of the main problems is fish location, to overcome this many opt for boat fishing, these can be hired or you can launch your own. If bank fishing there are many productive swims, but you will have to move around to locate the fish. The bailiff will usually point you in the right direction. During the winter many of the pike can be found in the deeper water at the dam end, around the launching bay, concrete steps, mooring wall and floating jetty. In the early spring the fish move down to the shallows, there is plenty of bank space here on the meadows or railtrack side. Some nice fish have been caught from here this year, one of 24lb to Ivan Owen and another of 17lb during the SPAG fish in. Most baits have been working well but Lamprey seems to have been producing most fish recently.
All lures will catch but spinnerbaits and jerkbaits produce good fish. I have caught quite a few perch on in-line spinners and small spinnerbaits, from the bay in summer and the boat houses and deeper water in winter.
Tickets
Day tickets available on the bank cost £3.50 for two rods up to four rods can be used.There are a few boats for hire at £10 per day (oars or electric motors only). You can launch your own for £5 per day or £60 per year.
Contact John Davey 01538 306280
Location
To the dam end: from Stoke take the A53 towards Leek turn left near Longsdon Rudyard is sign posted from here.
To the shallows: take the A53 to Leek from there take the A523 to Rushton once there take the first left then left again to the car park railway side and meadows.

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