The main pleasure water at Baden Hall, Middle Pool is currently the largest lake at the venue at some 10 acres - a lot of water for 67 pegs - and is reserved exclusively for pleasure anglers.

Early in 2001 the fish stocks were supplemented by transferring the larger mirror and common carp from Dam Pool when Dam became the main match water at Baden Hall.

Because it is a pleasure only water, keepnets are not allowed.

There are a number of promontories and bays along this water, some of which are very deep, whilst the deeper water, up to 14 feet and therefore excellent in winter, is along the rugby pitch side in the low numbers.

An aerial photograph in Reception clearly shows this area.

Pegs 11 and 12 are noted for good catches of bream, the best of which was 10lbs 8oz.

The original stream bed runs from the high 40s to the centre of the lake, turns right and borders the deep water down to the bottom end of the pool.

There is a definite ledge here which is worth noting for two reasons: firstly as a patrol area for the fish and secondly as a potential hazard - when fighting, the fish neary always head for the deeper water.

The bay at the top end of the pool, by the drive, has a depth of some five feet and slopes gently to eight or nine feet in the middle.

This is a popular spot.

Because the bay pegs are near to the car park and are spacious, easy to get to and look over open water, they generally tend to be popular.

For many anglers, the fact they are highly productive is a bonus!Middle Pool holds the largest number of carp of all the Baden Hall waters with specimens now averaging between 10lbs and 201lbs.

There is also a good head of silver fish including barbel to over 12lbs.

Middle Pool is also a good runs water anytime of the year which makes it very popular in the winter months.

Because of the keepnet ban, pleasure catches can only be estimated, but the best have certainly been in excess of 250lbs.

When fishing for the carp, these are caught on most modern and traditional methods with floating, ledgered and waggler baits all being successful in summer whilst the bream and tench fish best on feeder, tip or waggler.

Favoured baits for the carp are meat, corn, boilies, particles and pellets plus all surface baits whilst the silvers and bream, roach and tench tend to fall to corn, red maggot, pellet, paste and bread.

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