Oxfordshire
Hardwick & Smiths Carp Fishing Lake,
Linear Fisheries, Oxfordshire
Hardwick & Smiths, Linear Fisheries: Our Rating
Here’s the Carp Tax rating of Hardwick & Smiths Lake at Linear Fisheries. These scores are based on our team’s experience with the lake and facilities. Scores are subjective and are meant solely as a guide to help fellow anglers plan their visit.
Cleanliness
9/10
Facilities
9/10
Peg Spacing
9/10
Ticket Price
8/10
A Quick Look at Hardwick & Smiths Lake, Linear Fisheries
Set within the Linear Fisheries complex near Witney in Oxfordshire, Hardwick & Smiths has been one of the venue’s standout carp lakes for decades. Well known for its consistent fishing and impressive stock, it’s a water that appeals to everyone from anglers chasing their first thirty right through to those hoping to slip the net under something much bigger.
The variety is one of Hardwick & Smiths’ biggest strengths. Alongside its healthy stock, the lake has earned a reputation for producing some stunning, scaly carp, so there’s always the chance of steady action while knowing every bite could turn into a memorable fish. Like all the main Linear lakes, it rewards anglers who stay observant and adapt to what’s happening in front of them, making every session feel different.
49lb
lake record
25
acres
41
pegs
12ft
average depth
About Hardwick & Smiths Lake
Hardwick & Smiths is a 25 acre lake made up of two original waters — Hardwick Lake and Smiths Pool — joined by a narrow channel. Today it forms one of the larger lakes on the Linear Fisheries complex, offering a varied mix of open water, marginal features and reed-lined areas. Depths range from around 4ft in the shallows down to 30ft in the deepest areas, averaging roughly 12ft across the lake.
That variation creates plenty of different areas for carp to move between throughout the year. Many anglers who’ve fished Hardwick & Smiths liken the lakebed to an “egg box”, with depths constantly rising and falling rather than remaining consistent across the lake.
How to Approach Hardwick & Smiths Lake
Hardwick & Smiths is one of those lakes that can make you look like a hero one weekend and leave you scratching your head the next. There are plenty of carp in there, but they’re not all sat in one area waiting to be caught. The biggest mistake you can make is turning up with a fixed plan and refusing to change it.
Before you even get the barrow unloaded, have a proper walk. Watch the water, look for shows, and keep an eye on where bites are coming from if other anglers are already fishing. It’s a big lake, and simply jumping into the first empty swim isn’t always the best move. Sometimes waiting half an hour for the right opportunity is a far better decision than casting out straight away.
If you remember one thing from the previous section, let it be the “egg box” lakebed. Don’t just cast to a distance and hope for the best. Spend a bit of time leading around first because a clean spot amongst all those depth changes can be worth its weight in gold.
Don’t get too hung up on fishing at one range either. Some days the carp are happy cruising open water, while on others they’ll drift into the margins once the banks quieten down. If you’ve got a decent margin in your swim, I’d always be tempted to give it a rod. Plenty of good fish have come from surprisingly close in while everyone else has been trying to reach the horizon.
Keep an open mind with your tactics as well. If fish are clearly showing up in the water, don’t be afraid to put a zig out. Equally, if you’ve found a nice clean spot and the carp are feeding confidently, a well-presented bottom bait is hard to beat. Let the fish tell you how they want to be caught rather than trying to force your favourite approach onto them.
I’d say Hardwick & Smiths suits anglers who enjoy working things out. You don’t need years of experience to catch here, but you do need to pay attention. Watch the water, trust what you’re seeing, and don’t be afraid to change your mind. Quite often, it’s the anglers who adapt quickest that end up with the best photos at the end of the session.
Stock Levels
One thing Hardwick & Smiths has always been known for is the quality of its fish. There are just over 1,000 carp in the lake, and a huge number of them are now over 20lb, so every time the alarm sounds you’ve got a genuine chance of landing something worth getting the camera out for.
It’s not just about the weights either. Hardwick & Smiths has some absolutely gorgeous carp, with loads of scaly mirrors that you’d be happy to catch anywhere in the country. There are at least 50 different thirties swimming around, several fish have broken the 40lb barrier, and the current lake records stand at 49lb 10oz for a mirror, 41lb 10oz for a common, and 29lb 15oz for a ghost carp.
What keeps anglers coming back, though, is that the next bite could be absolutely anything. One run might produce a pristine upper-double that’s never seen before, while the next could be a well-known thirty or even one of the lake’s biggest residents. That’s what makes Hardwick & Smiths such an enjoyable water to fish — you never quite know what’s waiting on the other end.
Tickets & Booking Information
Linear doesn’t run an online booking system for Hardwick & Smiths — like the other main day ticket lakes on the complex, it operates on a first come, first served basis. If Hardwick & Smiths is your target, it pays to arrive early, particularly at weekends or during the warmer months when demand across the complex is at its highest.
Once you arrive, head to the on-site tackle shop to check in. The bailiffs will let you know which swims are available and point you in the right direction. It’s a straightforward system, but a little flexibility goes a long way. Hardwick & Smiths has a loyal following, so the most popular swims can disappear quickly when the lake is fishing well.
Tickets are available for both day and night sessions, with the latest prices, rules, and any current guidance explained when you book in. As with any busy day ticket venue, a bit of courtesy and common sense goes a long way, both for the anglers around you and for the fish themselves.
Tip: If Hardwick & Smiths is full, don’t waste the trip — lakes like Brasenose One, St Johns or Oxlease often produce just as well on their day.
Fishing Rules at Hardwick & Smiths
Hardwick & Smiths follows the main Linear Fisheries rules, so it’s worth knowing the basics before you get set up. The rules are mainly there to protect the fish, keep the lakes safe, and make sure everyone on the complex gets a fair session.
The main rules to know before fishing Hardwick & Smiths:
- Parking: Use the proper car parks only. Don’t park on grass, block gates, or stop on the B4449 or entrance to Manor Farm Lake and St Johns.
- Swims: You cannot reserve swims, apart from specific exceptions. You can place a bucket in a swim when you first arrive, but you must return quickly with your tackle.
- Rods: Up to three rods are allowed, provided you have the correct Environment Agency rod licence.
- Hooks: Barbed or barbless hooks may be used.
- Fish care: Unhooking mats must be used, fish must be kept low to the ground, and carp sacks are not allowed.
- Retention: Floating retention slings may be used for up to 30 minutes while mats, scales, and cameras are prepared.
- Bait: There are no general bait bans, but seeds, nuts, peas, and beans must be properly soaked, cooked, and used in moderation.
- Maggots: Maggots and similar baits can be used as hookbaits, in PVA bags, or in feeders, but not spodded out.
- Rigs: Permanently fixed leads are not allowed, and bailiffs may check rigs.
- Spombs: Spombs must be used with a spomb float attachment.
- Wading: Not allowed for placing baits, except when helping to safely net or release fish in shallow water.
- General conduct: No boats, drones, bait boats, radios, fires, swimming, drugs, heavy drinking, or litter.
Hardwick & Smiths is a busy, well-run Linear water, so it pays to turn up prepared and fish within the rules from the off. Rules can change, so always check the latest Linear guidance or speak to a bailiff if you’re unsure.
Pegs, Access & Facilities
Hardwick & Smiths offers a good mix of pegs, whether you prefer fishing open water, working the margins or setting up on one of the lake’s many features. Because of the shape of the water, every swim has its own character, so it’s worth taking a bit of time to think about where you want to fish rather than simply choosing the first peg you come across.
Getting your gear to the swim is straightforward, but don’t expect to park right behind your rods. Anglers use the main Hardwick car park before barrowing their tackle to the lake, so a decent barrow definitely makes life easier, especially if you’re planning a longer session. If you’re heading for the back of Smiths Pool, make sure you follow the designated access route rather than trying to take a shortcut.
Like the rest of the Linear complex, the facilities are excellent. You’ll find clean toilets around the fishery, hot showers and drinking water at the main shower block, plus a well-stocked tackle and convenience shop for bait, food, drinks and those little essentials you’ve inevitably left at home.
Overall, it’s a fishery that’s set up with anglers in mind. Once you’ve got the barrow loaded and made the walk to your swim, everything you need is close at hand, leaving you free to concentrate on what you’ve come for.
Location & Considerations
Hardwick & Smiths sits on the main Linear Fisheries complex near Hardwick village, just outside Witney, Oxfordshire. Although it’s one of the original lakes on the venue, it still has a quieter, more established feel than some of the newer waters, and once you’re settled in your swim it’s easy to forget you’re only a few minutes from the main road.
Getting there is straightforward, with good access from the A40, A34 and M40, making it an easy journey whether you’re travelling from Oxford, the Midlands or further afield. The main site, tackle shop and day ticket lakes are all well signposted from the B4449, so even if it’s your first visit you shouldn’t have any trouble finding your way.
One thing that’s worth bearing in mind is that Hardwick & Smiths has been producing quality carp for decades, so it’s rarely short of anglers who know the lake well. If you’ve got your heart set on fishing there, arriving early gives you the best chance of getting the swim or area you fancy. And if the lake’s busier than expected, don’t be afraid to spend a bit of time walking before you commit — it often pays off on a water like this.
Other Carp Lakes at Linear Fisheries
All carp lakes at Linear FisheriesIf Hardwick & Smiths is busy or you fancy a change, Linear has several other lakes that can produce just as well on their day — often with less pressure. It’s easy to get fixated on Hardwick & Smiths because of its reputation, but lakes like Brasenose One, St Johns, or Oxlease are all capable of producing proper fish and can sometimes offer a quieter, more manageable session.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hardwick & Smiths Lake
Is Hardwick & Smiths Lake good for beginners?
Yes, Hardwick & Smiths is a good choice for beginners, provided you’re prepared to put a bit of effort into finding the fish. The lake holds a healthy stock of carp, so there are plenty of opportunities, but it also rewards anglers who stay mobile and adapt to what they see. If it’s your first visit, spend some time walking the lake before choosing a swim rather than rushing to set up. That simple habit will improve your chances far more than any particular rig or bait.
How big is Hardwick & Smiths Lake?
Hardwick & Smiths covers approximately 25 acres and is made up of two original lakes—Hardwick Lake and Smiths Pool—joined by a narrow channel. The varied shape of the water, together with its changing depths and numerous features, means every area fishes slightly differently.
How deep is Hardwick & Smiths Lake?
Depths range from around 4 feet to 30 feet, with an average depth of roughly 12 feet. Many anglers describe the lakebed as being like an “egg box”, with shelves, gullies and deeper pockets scattered throughout the lake, which is why spending time with a marker or leading rod can really pay off.
How many pegs are there at Hardwick & Smiths?
Hardwick & Smiths has 41 pegs spread around the lake. Each swim offers a slightly different angle and set of features, so it’s worth taking a walk before deciding where to fish rather than simply choosing the first available peg.
Are bait boats allowed at Linear Fisheries?
No. Bait boats are not permitted anywhere on the main Linear Fisheries complex, including Hardwick & Smiths. The fishery also prohibits boats and drones, so you’ll need to introduce your bait using traditional methods such as casting, throwing sticks, catapults or a Spomb fitted with the required float attachment.
Do you need to book Hardwick & Smiths in advance?
No. Hardwick & Smiths operates on a first come, first served basis, so there is no online booking system for standard day-ticket sessions. Simply arrive at the fishery, choose an available swim and pay the bailiff when they visit your peg. If you’re hoping to fish a particular area, arriving early is always a good idea, especially during weekends and warmer weather.
What’s the best time of year to fish Hardwick & Smiths?
Hardwick & Smiths produces carp throughout the year, but many anglers enjoy it most from late spring through to autumn, when the fish are more active and methods like surface fishing and zigs can be particularly effective. That said, the lake has a reputation for producing quality fish in every season, so success usually comes down to finding the carp and adapting your approach to the conditions rather than relying on the time of year alone. The fishery remains open all year, with no close season on the main day-ticket lakes.
