These two ponds are situated in Ripon Parks, behind the golf links 3 miles north of Ripon. Turn right off Masham Road at Golf Club House and proceed 2 miles to the ponds. The lakes on the Ripon site and both are picturesque with reed beds, surrounding woodland and lots of wildlife. The first water is called the 'Figure of 8' because of its shape. Starting at the western end near to the lay-by for parking, the water is fairly shallow at about 3 to 4 feet, then halfway across this end it drops steep to about 10+ feet. It shallows to about 6 feet where it passes through a narrow gap in to the other half to the lake. The lake bottom here averages 8 to 10 feet. The lake bottom is generally very uneven. The second lake is called the 'Big Lake' and is just to the North of the figure of 8. This lakes shape is more irregular with several large bays and also an island. Depths again are very irregular with some areas shallow at 3 feet and other areas going to over 10 feet. Both lakes contain roach, perch, bream, tench, carp, eel, gudgeon and pike.
This area in and around Ripon Ponds is an English Nature SSSI site and care must be taken at this fishery.
This is a strictly private water with only members with permits allowed on the banks.