Cressacres is a mature seven acre lake in the heart of the famous Colne Valley, near Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. It was dug as a typical wet gravel pit in 1975/76 along with seven other lakes which now form Croxley Hall Fisheries including the well known Croxley Hall Carp Syndicate. Unlike many other lakes in the valley Cressacres has never been subjected to heavy angling pressure.
After extensive landscaping in 1978 Cressacres became part of Croxley Hall Trout Fishery which opened in 1981.
Over the next 20 years until 2001, Cressacres was fly-fished purely for trout, which allowed the resident coarse fish to grow on undisturbed, including the many carp which populated the lake. A further 100 carp were introduced in 2001 to supplement the existing carp stocks.
From 2001 until February 2007, the Red Spinner Angling Society leased the water from the owner which they fished very occasionally throughout the year (excluding the old closed season dates between March 16th - June 15th). The owner has confirmed that during those six years it was rare to see more than the odd member fishing Cressacres Lake.
Cressacres will suit the kind of angler that enjoys secure, peaceful fishing in a tranquil setting with excellent facilities on a well managed fishery.
Anglers joining the Cressacres Syndicate will be given priority to join the long established Croxley Hall Carp Syndicate on Croxley Carp Lake (as and when a place becomes available) This lake now contains at least four different 40lbs carp and more than sixty carp over 30lbs with quite a few of these being 35lbs plus.
We are expecting Cressacres to be more of a "runs water" rather than big fish water but no doubt it will throw up many surprises once it has been fished seriously by carp anglers. It is also known that there are many twenty pound mirrors present and carp have already been caught in excess of thirty pounds in previous years.
Cressacres also contains some of the fast growing strain of common carp that reside in the main lake. Stock levels will be monitored very closely in order to maintain Cressacres as an exciting and successful carp lake.
The Cressacres season will run from 16th April until 15th March each year and will be strictly limited to seventy places only with all potential members having to attend a short interview with the bailiffs on site before an application for membership is confirmed. (The lease holder reserves the right to refuse any potential member a place on Cressacres Syndicate without affording a reason.)
The facilities at Croxley Hall are well known with secure car park, Ladies and Gents toilets and regularly mown grass banks with good swims. The Fisheries are well managed by the owner and staff with several good bailiffs regularly on site.