Restocking

Bowlake specializes in producing fingerling size fish, generally grown for a maximum of 2 years. We sell fish to other farmers, dealers and directly to fisheries and angling clubs. Over the last twenty years we have stocked some of the most prestigious fisheries in the country. We were the first commercial farm to produce chub and barbel. Most private fisheries that hold these fish today probably bought them originally from us.

	Mirror Carp Over the years we have been asked to produce particular strains of carp for individual fisheries that favour fast growing, long living varieties. Working in conjunction with Sparsholt College we spawn and cross particular strains and grow the offspring on at Bowlake. One of the most popular strains is the 'Sutton’, which ticks all the boxes. We produce large numbers of fist year mirrors up to 4 inches only. We recommend some of our customers that buy these of us to ongrow. (see under links).
	Barbel These are one of our most popular fish. We produce fish up to 8 inches in length and sell to all types of fisheries. Barbel is a very robust fish, and contrary to belief does very well in stillwaters as long as there is plenty of oxygen. Our customers assure us they thrive even in heavily stocked waters. We recommend if you are unsure how well they will perform, purchase a small number at first and monitor their progress over a couple of seasons.
	Chub Although we have stocked a number of rivers over the years, most of the chub we produce end up in stillwaters. Fishery owners love them because they feed through the winter when most other species have stopped. We produce plenty of 4 – 6 inch second year fish for stocking directly into fisheries. Chub can grow quickly given food and good conditions, and unlike most silver fish can be handled successfully right throughout the year, even in the warmer months.
	Tench Bowlake process thousands of tench from 3 – 6 inches for both the ornamental and restocking trade. Occasionally fisheries may buy some gold tench to mix in for a little variety and act as markers to determine population numbers.