Billed as the UK's first true commercial coarse fishery, Heyford Fisheries - just a few minutes drive from Junction 16 of the M1 motorway - has been given a new lease of life following new management who took over running the venue in May 2008 after it had been allowed to go back to nature for 18 months when the previous manager retired and moved to Spain.

As a result, a great deal of improvement work has been carried to the grounds and lakes with bank and weed clearance on both the original 132-peg Snake Lake and the attractive Acorn Lake.

As part of these improvements, the secluded tree-lined specimen carp lake, just a short walk from the main complex, has been closed to enable much of the weed and lilies, which have quite literally choked the pool, to be cleared and the snags and fallen tree branches removed.

Open from 7am until dusk seven days a week, the fishery has its own well-stocked tackle shop and cafeteria which are open from 7am until 5pm.

The tackle shop sells a range of rods, poles and reels as well as tinned, packet and fresh bait and terminal tackle and accessories which range from fishing chairs, landing and keep nets to fishing boxes and clothing.

The cafe, meanwhile, offers a range of hot and cold snack-type meals such as sausage or burger and beans, as well as drinks and confectionery.

At weekends the cafe also serves full English breakfasts.

Snake Lake and Carp Lake are the oldest of the three Heyford Fisheries waters having been built in 1990, whilst Acorn Lake - the water set aside for younger and novice anglers - followed three years later when it was realised there was a growing need for a venue where younger anglers could go and be virtually guaranteed to catch fish.

When Snake Lake was first developed it quickly established itself as one of the country's leading competition venues, but the new management team is now broadening its development to make it equally appealing as a pleasure venue.

Although the fishery holds a regular Open Match every Saturday when places must be booked in advance over the telephone, a minimum of 60 pegs are always kept available for pleasure anglers.

To improve catch rates, Snake has been stocked with a further 3,500 mirror and common carp about 1lb in weight which will supplement existing fish stocks and help to ensure that fish can be caught throughout the entire length of the lake.

In addition, existing stocks will also be supplemented this winter with the addition of a large number of silver fish which will ensure that anglers can catch throughout the year, whatever the weather.

The quality of the fishing is kept high because the venue is fed by more than 100,000 gallons of spring water which flows through the fishery every day.

Indeed, this water is the reason the fishery exists in the first place.

When the EEC withdrew the agricultural drainage grant in the late 1980s the land was no longer economically viable for farming.

Instead it was decided to turn a problem into an advantage and from the idea of using the water to good purpose sprang the idea for a now thriving and successful fishery.

Keepnets are allowed but anglers must use one net for carp and a separate net for silver fish.

All fish over 10lbs should be returned to the water immediately after capture.

The other main rules are that anglers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult, no hooks bigger than Size 10 should be used and anglers should not use floating baits.

On - site are modern ladies, gents and disabled toilets and many of the pegs are suitable for disabled anglers.