Rules

Summary of Key Rules

  • All gates must be fully closed at all times. Failure to do so will result in a lifetime ban.
  • No fish may be killed. All fish, including pike, must be returned. Killing or removing fish is a criminal offence and will be reported to the Police.
  • No litter of any kind may be left, including discarded tackle. Offenders will face a lifetime ban.
  • No fish or livebait transfers between waters. This is an offence under the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act.
  • No guests under 18 are allowed. Guests over 18 must obtain a free Guest Permit from the Fisheries Officer. Gate codes must not be shared.
  • A maximum of three rods per angler is permitted. Fishing is only allowed from designated swims and tackle must not be left unattended.
  • No keepnets on still waters except during official matches.
  • No guns are permitted. Dogs must be on leads at all times, must not disturb others, and all dog fouling must be removed immediately.
  • No angling and no presence on Association waters during night fishing hours unless the member holds a valid night fishing permit for that specific venue, whether fishing or not.
  • No fires, swimming, or boating. Members must behave responsibly and respect wildlife and other anglers.
  • Vehicles must be parked responsibly; improperly parked vehicles may be clamped or towed.
  • Members under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Anyone negotiating for Association waters will lose membership for life.
  • Pike fishing is seasonal (1 October–31 March) and strict tackle, handling, and bait rules apply.
  • Pike runs must be struck immediately to prevent deep hooking.
  • Spinners, lures, and dropshotting are only allowed between 1 October and 31 March.
  • Bait boats must not endanger fish, interfere with others, or be used beyond casting range.
  • Grebe Pond anglers must carry a 36‑inch landing net and an unhooking mat.
  • Alcohol misuse leading to unacceptable behaviour will result in sanctions, including possible bans.

Association Fishery Rules (Full Set)

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT MEMBERS FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THESE RULES

  1. All gates must be fully closed. Anyone failing to do this will face a lifetime ban.

  2. No fish are to be killed. All fish (including pike) must be returned. Removing or deliberately killing fish is a criminal offence under the Theft Act. The Association reports all such offences to the Police and, where necessary, will instigate a private prosecution to ensure cases are brought before the Court.

  3. No litter of any description (including discarded tackle) is to be left. Any angler caught leaving litter will face a lifetime ban.
    No fish are to be transferred to or from other waters (including livebaits for predator fishing). It is an offence under the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act to introduce fish without the necessary permission.

  4. No guests (non‑members) under 18 years of age are allowed on any Association fisheries. Guests over 18 must obtain a Guest Permit (free of charge) from the Fisheries Officer. Gate codes must not be revealed to any non‑members.

  5. No fish are to be transferred to or from other waters. It is an offence under the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act to introduce fish without the necessary permission.

  6. No angler may fish with more than three rods at any one time on any Association fishery. Fishing is only permitted from designated swims. Tackle must not be left in the water unattended.

  7. No keepnets are to be used on any of the Association’s still‑water fisheries other than in official matches. The Association does not advocate putting barbel in keepnets.

  8. No guns of any description are to be brought onto Association fisheries. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times. All dog faeces must be cleaned up immediately. Dogs must not be allowed to disturb other members.

  9. Night Fishing and Presence on Association Waters
    No angling is permitted on any Association fishery between the hours of 10:00pm and 5:00am, except:

    • Carlton on Trent: 10:00pm to 7:00am
    • River Rye at Butterwick: 9:00pm to 7:00am

    No person is permitted to be present on any Association water during night fishing hours unless they are in possession of a valid night fishing permit for that specific venue, whether they are fishing or not.

    Members (other than Association bailiffs) found on any Association fishery during the stated hours without a valid night fishing permit shall be liable to have their membership permit revoked and may face prosecution.

  10. No fires, swimming, or boating. Members must behave responsibly and respect other anglers. Do not damage trees or bushes and do not interfere with wildlife. The Association takes environmental protection seriously and expects members to do the same.

  11. Vehicles must be parked responsibly and must not cause problems for other anglers, landowners, farmers, or members of the public. Officers reserve the right to tow away or clamp vehicles parked irresponsibly and disclaim any liability for damage caused. Membership signifies acceptance of these conditions.

  12. Members under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

  13. Any person found negotiating for waters held by the Association shall forfeit the right of membership for life.

  14. Pike fishing is only permitted between 1 October and 31 March.
    Members fishing for carp or pike must be in possession of:

  • A landing net with arms not less than 36 inches (90cm)
  • A well‑padded unhooking mat measuring not less than 36″ × 24″ (90cm × 60cm)

No gaffs or pike gags are allowed. Carp or pike must only be weighed using a commercially available sling of suitable size and strength. Keepsacks and retaining tubes are not permitted.

Minimum line strength for carp fishing is 15lb (6.8kg).
When pike fishing, wire traces must always be used, at least 18 inches long and not less than 30lb (13.6kg) B.S. Main line must not be less than 15lb (6.8kg) B.S.

Treble hooks used with live or deadbaits must be semi‑barbed (one barb per treble) and no larger than size 6. Livebaits must only be used on the venue from which they were caught and on the day of capture.

  1. To prevent deep hooking, pike runs must be struck immediately. Any member found allowing pike to run on the take may have their membership revoked.

  2. Fishing with spinners, dropshot, or lures for any species is only permitted between 1 October and 31 March.

  3. Bait Boats
    Remote‑controlled bait boats must not interfere with other anglers or put fish at risk. Boats must not be used to place baits near snags, reed beds, or submerged obstacles, nor beyond the angler’s casting range. Misuse may result in membership revocation.

  4. All anglers fishing Grebe Pond must be in possession of a landing net of at least 36 inches and an unhooking mat.

  5. Alcohol consumption resulting in unacceptable behaviour, lack of capability, or conduct bringing the Association into disrepute will not be tolerated and may result in membership revocation and a ban.