🎣 West Midlands Specimen Carp & Match Fishery
Bells Mill Fishery Carp Fishing
Prestwood Drive · Stourbridge · West Midlands
8 swims
35lb+
1 acre
Stourbridge
ABOUT BELLS MILL FISHERY
Bells Mill Fishery is a purpose-built carp and match fishery near Stourbridge in the West Midlands. The fishery sits between the Stourbridge Canal and River Stour and offers two very different waters for anglers.
The specimen carp pool is the main attraction for carp anglers. It is a spring-fed water with eight swims, consisting of six singles and two doubles, and is limited to a maximum of nine anglers at any one time.
The pool contains a mixture of underwater plateaus, deeper holes, weed beds, margins, overhanging trees and two islands. Depths range from around 4ft to 12ft, giving anglers plenty of different areas and features to consider.
For anglers looking for a less specialised session, Bells Mill also has a separate match and pleasure pool of around one acre, containing carp alongside a good variety of coarse fish.
FISH STOCK
Specimen Carp Pool
The specimen pool contains 140+ carp, including commons, mirrors and ghost carp, with some impressive individual fish. The current pool records listed by the fishery include carp over 35lb.
- Scar – 35lb 8oz
- Mirror – 35lb 7oz
- Mirror – 34lb 5oz
- Common – 30lb 4oz
- Tango – 16lb
Bells Mill is not described as a heavily stocked runs water. It is aimed more towards the experienced carp angler who is prepared to spend time working out the water and fishing accurately.
Match & Pleasure Pool
The separate match pool is approximately one acre and contains a wide variety of coarse fish as well as carp.
- Carp to 18lb
- Tench to 3lb
- Bream to 3lb+
- Roach to 2lb+
- Rudd to 3lb
- Crucians to 2lb
- Barbel to 4lb+
- Chub to 3lb
- Perch to 3lb+
- Thousands of skimmers
TACTICS & METHODS
Specimen Carp Pool
With islands, margins, weed beds, plateaus and deeper water available, feature finding should be an important part of the approach at Bells Mill. Rather than automatically fishing as far as possible, it makes sense to look carefully at what each swim offers before deciding where to place the rods.
The fishery permits zig fishing and surface fishing, while bait boats are also permitted according to the current specimen pool rules. However, rigs must be safe and capable of ejecting the lead if a fish becomes snagged.
Boilies and the fishery’s own feed pellets are obvious options for a specimen carp session, while carefully prepared particles can also be used subject to the fishery rules.
A useful approach:
Spend time looking for signs of carp before committing to a spot. With only a small number of anglers on the specimen pool, accurate fishing to visible features, margins and areas of natural food could be more productive than simply spreading bait around a large area.
Match & Pleasure Pool
The match pool has a central island and a marginal shelf that the fishery specifically highlights as being suitable for method feeder or accurate waggler fishing. The near margins are also planted and can hold plenty of fish.
This is a very different proposition from the specimen pool, with lighter coarse fishing tactics and a wide choice of permitted baits.
LAKE RECORDS & KEY STATS
| Specimen Pool | 8 swims |
| Maximum anglers | 9 |
| Specimen depths | Approx. 4ft–12ft |
| Largest listed carp | 35lb 8oz |
| Carp stock | 140+ |
| Match pool | Approx. 1 acre |
| Match pool platforms | 26 |
| Match pool carp | To 18lb |
| Match record | 312lb 7oz – Lee Boden, 2023 |
Records and stock figures can change as fish grow and the fishery is updated.
SEASONAL GUIDE
Spring
As water temperatures begin to rise, look for carp moving into shallower areas, margins and areas receiving the most warmth. The features around the islands and margins can be worth watching closely.
Summer
Summer gives anglers a wide range of options. Early mornings, evenings, margins, islands and areas of weed can all be worth considering. Surface fishing is permitted on the specimen pool, although anglers must respect other anglers and wildlife.
Autumn
As carp begin preparing for winter, a carefully chosen food bait approach can work well. Keep watching the water rather than automatically sticking to one area, particularly if the fish are showing.
Winter
Winter fishing requires a more careful approach. The specimen pool rules allow maggots during the winter period, while the match pool operates shorter winter fishing hours. Always check the current rules before planning a winter session.
FACILITIES & RULES
Bells Mill Fishery has toilet facilities, a cafe and a small tackle shop. The site is also otter and security fenced.
Important specimen pool rules
- Fishing is from designated swims only.
- Maximum of 9 anglers on the specimen pool.
- Fishery landing nets, carp cradles and weigh slings must be used.
- Minimum main line strength is 12lb.
- Micro-barbed hooks only.
- Leadcore and leadless braided leaders are banned.
- Braided main line is not permitted.
- No fixed leads.
- Rigs must allow the lead to eject safely.
- Zig fishing is permitted.
- Surface fishing is permitted.
- Bait boats are permitted according to the current fishery rules.
- No tents or gazebos – proper green fishing bivvies only.
- Under 16s must be accompanied by an experienced parent or guardian.
- Rods must not be left unattended.
Match pool rules
The match pool has separate and stricter rules. Barbless hooks up to size 12 are required and carp or heavy-rod fishing is not permitted.
Permitted baits include fishery feed pellets, casters, worms, maggots, sweetcorn, hooker pellets and paste. Groundbait is limited to 1kg and there are restrictions on total bait quantities.
BELLS MILL FISHERY FAQ
How big are the carp at Bells Mill Fishery?
The specimen pool contains carp over 35lb, with the fishery currently listing a 35lb 8oz Scar as its largest named pool record.
How many swims are there?
The specimen pool has eight swims – six singles and two doubles – with a maximum of nine anglers allowed on the pool at one time.
Can you night fish at Bells Mill?
The specimen pool operates on 24-hour sessions, with bookings starting at 10am and finishing at 9am the following day.
How much does the specimen pool cost?
The fishery’s current website lists £30 per 24 hours for two rods and £35 per 24 hours for three rods on its specimen pool price page. Prices and availability should always be checked before travelling.
Is there a match pool?
Yes. Bells Mill has a separate match and pleasure pool of around one acre with 26 timber platforms, including four disabled-friendly platforms.
What is the match pool record?
The fishery currently lists the match record as 312lb 7oz, caught by Lee Boden in 2023.
VENUE INFORMATION
Fishery: Bells Mill Fishery
Address: Prestwood Drive, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY7 5QT
Telephone: 07875 354300
Sat Nav: DY7 5QT
Access: The fishery is located just off Prestwood Drive. Access is from the A449 end of Prestwood Drive.
Official Website:
Bells Mill Fishery Official Website
Important:
Fish stocks, records, prices, booking arrangements, opening times and fishery rules can change. Always check directly with Bells Mill Fishery before travelling.
Bells Mill Fishery information has been compiled to help anglers find and research the venue. CarpAngling.net is independent of Bells Mill Fishery. Always follow the fishery’s current rules and instructions while fishing.