Oakview Lake Reviews

All of these 5 stars are for real - you'll find the exact same hand-written versions on the bookshelf in the lodge.

Cracking Week Fishing
By Darren and Phil Palmer on 3 September 2016

Once again a cracking week fishing, catching 39 carp, including 5 different 40s. Lovely fish, lovely surrounds, lovely lake and lovely hosts. Shirley and Martin really are the best! Looking forward to coming back again next year.

Tactics: Heavy baiting. The fish couldn't get enough food. Weather was hot and dry.

39 carp caught: 5 x 40s, 25 x 30s, 7 x 20s and 2 doubles.
Worth Every Penny
By Jessie, Jeanette and Dave Callow on 27 August 2016

Oakview Lake is worth every penny. All round superb, chilled-out family fishing holiday. Beautiful lake and surroundings with hard fighting fish in excellent condition. Lovely, comfortable gite with everything you need. Martin and Shirley are top notch hosts and are a lovely couple. We have already booked our next visit, which speaks for itself.

Fishing tactics: coconut and krill boilies both caught fish. Fished from the home swims and caught fish on hard spots on both sides and in front of the island.

Caught 16 carp: 2 x 40s, 7 x 30s, 7 x 20s. The two 42lb mirrors came off Jessie's rod and were landed with the help of Dad. Jessie also caught 2 pike, a grass carp (11lb) and countless silver fish with her own float rod.

Click here to watch Jessie Callow's Latest Carp Fishing Adventure
5 Star Fishing Holiday With 5 Star Accommodation
By Minne and Wendy de Swart on 20 August 2016

It was great to be back. We missed our dates last year because we left it too late to book. That's the price you pay for this popular venue, where both the fishing and accommodation are 5 star. We had to cut the holiday short when we were informed that our fast cat ferry home from France was cancelled due to storm forecasts.

Fishing: Weather was hot, with the thermometer hitting 39 degrees during the week. We treat our trip here as a holiday, so only fished days until Thursday. Still managed to catch 2 forties.

Tactics: Fished from the home swim using crunchy coconut boilies over pellet. The fish were caught on the left margin and the bay to the right of the island. A 44lb mirror took the line round the aerator, so went into the water to follow it round and get it netted.

Catch: 2 x 40s (mirrors at 44lb and 46lb 7oz), plus 3 smaller commons to 25lb. It's great to see the Oakview fish growing on.
Stunning Carp
By Jeive Family on 13 August 2016

Superb fishing, venue, accommodation and owners. We had a fantastic fishing holiday and caught lots of stunning carp. Back next year. Thanks guys.

Fishing tactics: All fish caught on bottom baits using the crunchy coconut house bait over beds of garlic surprise, hemp and pellet. Caught fish on both sides of the island, left margin and far right margin. Catch included a 43lb 8oz PB for Janice Jeive.

21 carp caught: 1 x 40, 11 x 30s, 7 x 20s, 1 x double and 1 x grass carp (11lb).
Great Holiday Great Fishing
By Carpenter Family on 7 August 2016

Well what can I say. The lodge is beautiful, the lake and setting are stunning, the food is glorious and Shirley and Martin are such a lovely couple. Nothing is too much trouble and they made us feel very welcome. It was such a great holiday and the fishing was great. My 16 year old son got his PB 46lb, so he was very happy and had a lot more fish as well.

We would most certainly come again - my wife's not into fishing and she loved it. My daughter enjoyed it and our friend Phil also had a great time and will come back again.

Find out how Liam unlocked the bowl here: Bowl Swim Tactics With Liam Carpenter

15 carp caught: 2 x 40s, 6 x 30s, 5 x 20s and 2 grass carp.
Car Breakdown Nearly Ruins Holiday
By Alan Downes and Steve Clarke on 31 July 2016

After a disastrous start to our fishing holiday (rental car breaking down on Autoroute), we found our hosts Martin and Shirley so, so friendly and they helped to get us out of a tricky situation. They couldn't do enough for us and changed what was a hellish week into a nice experience. We don't know how we would have got to our destination without Martin's knowledge of the French language. The lodge is outstanding and the kids and dogs had the time of their lives. I would definitely recommend staying here if you like a home-from-home with warm friendly hosts and nice fishing.

Fishing and Tactics: Not much fishing done. Arrived late, spent most of the week trying to sort out transport home and keeping the kids happy. Ended up having to leave early. Still managed to do a couple of fishing sessions and banked a 34lb common and 4 nice 20s on sweetcorn and pop up boilies.

A reminder to all from Martin: Even though he was in a hire car, Steve contacted the AA before leaving England and made sure he had valid breakdown cover for France. That's what finally got the family all the way home safe and sound.
Extremely Hot Weather Makes Fishing Difficult
By Tim and Gemma Churchill on 22 July 2016

A heat wave made the fishing difficult - tried everything, but the fish were not having it. Caught a 22lb mirror during the only 10 minute period of rain during the week.

Our third time at Oakview and it's still the best. Thanks Martin and Shirley for a fantastic week.
More Than Just a Fishing Venue
By Dave & Hilary Witton, Carl & Jan Yates on 16 July 2016

Oakview Lake is more than just a fishing venue. It's a wonderful environment, with varied wildlife in a tranquil setting. Shirley and Martin are extremely helpful and great hosts. Lots of tips and information on site seeing. We had a great week.

Flavours of a holiday with carp fishing in West France. Our thanks to Dave Witton for the photos.
5 Star Lodge and Great Hospitality
By Jason and Ryan Cooper on 8 July 2016

Highly recommend Oakview Lake for its fishing, 5 star lodge, excellent food and great hospitality. What a lovely week we had and Shirley and Martin were brilliant. Many thanks for a great holiday.

Tactics (both fished from the home swims): Casting mid-water on the right and boating baits to left margin and island. Baits used were CC Moore Live System, particle and pellet.

Carp caught: 2 x 40s, 7 x 30s, 7 x 20s and 1 x 19lb.
Bowl Swim Smashed but Photo Disaster
By Careys and Greens on 2 July 2016

Great fishing for Ray, who smashed it at the bowl swim this week. (he'll probably want to smash his camera too when he downloads his photos back at home! - but thanks to his sister Viv, we do have a picture of his 40 taken on her phone).
Thank you once again for a super week, we have thoroughly enjoyed the rest. Not so good for Bob this time but that's the luck of the draw. With a heavy heart we have to leave but let's hope the fish are biting for Bob in September. xxx

Tactics: boating baits (coconut or chilli boilies) to the overhanging trees at the left edge of the bowl worked best.

Caught 27 carp: 1 x 40, 12 x 30s, 11 x 20s and 3 under 20lb. Sorry about the self-take photo disaster. Over 20 photos were all out of focus.
One of the Best Venues in France
By Billy, Kayleigh and Jimmy Berridge on 26 June 2016

This carp venue is one of the best in France for fishing with accommodation. The lake is first class and the lakeside lodge is always kept immaculate, with everything you need for a superb holiday. We have to book Oakview Lake 2 years in advance now, which says it all.

Tactics: Fishing single coconut boilies as hook baits over pellet and particle. Caught carp on both sides of the island and around the deep bowl margin.

Catch: 1 x 40, 6 x 30s, 6 x 20s and a grass carp, including a personal best common at 43lb 8oz. A great result for part-time fishing with the family!
Great Time Despite Atrocious Weather
By Smithson and Pearce Family Holiday on 19 June 2016

Lovely peaceful surroundings with good accommodation. Martin and Shirley were great and very helpful. Very easy to find local attractions and villages in the car. Had a great time.

Fishing: Endless heavy showers and thunderstorms made fishing conditions really difficult for the whole week. Still managed a couple despite the atrocious weather.
Amazing Week of Fishing
By Dean and Ryan Johnson + Trina and Charlotte on 11 June 2016

We've had a fantastic week at Oakview Lake. Shirley and Martin are brilliant hosts and nothing was too much trouble for them. The lodge and it's facilities are 5* and the food was excellent. Amazing week of fishing and both had personal best carp.

Tactics: used a mix of house baits and wafters worked best. Fishing from the right home swim, we caught carp off the right side of the island (under the overhanging trees), right margin and far margin (3ft from the bank). From the left home swim, the carp came from the left side of the island (under the overhang), left margin 6ft off the silver willow and 4ft off the bowl margin.

Rigs: KD rig 6 inch, size 6, long hair with back leads and slackish lines.

Caught 25 carp: 3 x 40s, 15 x 30s, 6 x 20s and 1 x 11lb 8oz grass carp. Feeling relaxed and refreshed (a bit tired after catching all those fish!!!). Thank you for a lovely week.
Top Quality Fishing
By Barry Cundiff and Billy Lloyd on 4 June 2016

What a Week! What can we say that's not already been said? Top quality fishing, venue and hosts. You couldn't find anywhere better for a fishing holiday and for chilling out.

Tactics: Coconut boilies in several spots along the left margin worked best.

Catch: 3 x 40s, 7 x 30s, 1 x 20 and 2 grass carp.
More of the Same Next Year Please
By Paul Shaw and Jenny Meider on 28 May 2016

Definitely a week of two halves. First half - amazing session with new personal bests aplenty. Second half - fish decided to spawn, so we chilled out. We can't think of a nicer place to chill out in. More of the same next year please.

Fishing Tactics: Had 4 forties off 3 different spots - both sides of island and left margin half way up the lake (not too close in). Combination of Live System, Equinox and pop ups over pellet and maize.

Catch: 4 x 40s and 2 x 20s, all before spawning started (47lb 5oz, 46lb 14oz, 41lb, 40lb 12oz, 29lb 7oz and 26lb 7oz).
Fantastic All Round
By Shaun Allen, Ian & Carl Carter on 22 May 2016

Fantastic all round. Great place, great people, great food and great fishing.

Fishing Tactics: Carp feeding in the deep bowl at night, about 6 feet from the left margin. Caught carp around the island during the day. main baiting approach was boilie.

19 carp in total: 7 x 40s, 6 x 30s, 5 x 20s and a 7lb grass. 45lb 8oz mirror a new personal best for Ian.
Click here to read the full story: Record Week for Big Carp
Superb Holiday
By Phil Calladine and Dave Bednall on 14 May 2016

Accommodation better than 5 stars, excellent food and first class facilities. A superb holiday all round - must be, we've booked for 2017 and 2018!!

Weather, tactics and catch: Wet stormy weather and unusually cool for May, so didn't fish all nights. Bigger carp (33lb 12oz mirror and 31lb common) came on Nut Crunch with sweetcorn tip. Smaller carp (2 x grass) came on pink pop up.
Quality Fish with Superb Facilities
By Mike Edkins and John Claypole on 6 May 2016

A totally secluded, relaxing venue with quality fish and superb facilities. If you want a holiday with fishing in France, Oakview Lake cannot be bettered. Wonderfully equipped accommodation - as good as you would find in your own home. Brilliant! Great hosts and excellent food. Thank you Shirley and Martin.

Tactics: A mix of boilies over particle. Most fish came in the middle of the night, so only photographed the 44lb mirror.

Carp catch: 1 x 44lb, 3 x 30s to 36lb, 8 x 20s (all over 27lb) and 1 x 7lb grass.
Great Holiday
By Andrew and Luke Faith on 29 April 2016

Had a great holiday. Shirley and Martin were fantastic as usual. 3rd time at Oakview and already booked for next year. Both broke personal best carp: 40lb 8oz for Andrew and 41lb for Luke. Can't wait until next year!

Fished Saturday to Thursday - Catch: 2 x 40s, 5 x 30s, 2 x 20s, 1 under 20 and 1 pike (5lb).
A fantastic Week of Fishing
By Ian and Ellie Lovejoy on 23 April 2016

This was our first ever visit to Oakview and it was so much more than we expected. it hosts a beautiful wooden lodge with spectacular views of the lake. Martin and Shirley are such a lovely down to earth couple who couldn't do enough for us. They were both such fantastic hosts, food was superb and they certainly made sure we would never go hungry, First visit but will certainly be back!

Boilies and pellet with a sprinkle of maize with a wafter hookbait resulted in a 46lb mirror (PB and new ladies lake record for Ellie), 35lb, 29lb 12oz, 25lb, 2 x 23lb 14oz and a grassy (estimated at 18lb). Thank you for a fantastic week of fishing, we will see you both in June 2018.