Fishing Rules
Ashfield Angling Club are Members of Angling Trust and Fish Legal and have strong ties with the Environment Agency.
Any member found fishing our waters without an appropriate rod license will be suspended instantly from the club and may be perminently removed pending further investigation.
Every member MUST be fully aware of the Club Rules, ignorance is no excuse - these have now been simplified and approved by the members at the lastest Club AGM.
NOTE: AS RECOMMENDED BY THE EA, DUE TO KHV : KEEP NETS ARE TEMPORARILY BANNED FROM ALL STILLWATERS AND YOU MUST COMPLETELY DRY OUT ALL MATS/SACKS/LANDING NETS/ETC AFTER USE.
Please read the Club Fishing Rules by clicking here.
AAC Fishing Rules –for the Constitution, Aims and objectives and Management of the club see the AAC Management Document.
Section A. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ALL MEMBERS
1.Members are persons that have given the requested personal details and have paid the correct fees to the Club for that year of membership.
2.Members will promote the highest standards of sportsmanship, fair play, uphold the spirit of angling and be mindful of the Constitution and Objectives of The Club.
3.Members will only fish in a manner that is fair and lawful. They must not bring the club into disrepute.
4.If any memberallowstheir standard of behaviour to fall below accepted standards in relation to abuse, threatening and obscene behaviour/languageor any action that tries to undermine the club or its members, their membership status will be reviewed by the Committee.
5.Members mustrespect the right of privacy and solitude of other anglers includinganglers fishing opposite banks. Members have no fishing rights beyond the half way point ofthe river.
6.Members must fish and conduct themselves in a manner that causes no offence and avoid disturbance of other anglers, water users and members of the public. Noise levels, either verbal or otherwise and movement to be kept to a minimum.
7.It is the responsibility of all club members to read and familiarize themselves with the constitution, rules and codes of conductof the Ashfield Angling Club, ignorance will be no defence. The rulesare always evolving and amendments will be added to the rule book on the web pagewww.ashfieldangling.com
8.Members that cannot accept and agree to abide by the rules and codes of conduct should stand down from The Club.
Section B.GENERAL RULES FOR ALL MEMBERS
1.All members enter the venues at their own risk. The Club do not accept any liability for any injury, damage or loss of equipment or transport on any of our venues.
2.Permitsare not transferable and must be shown to Bailiffs or any club member upon request, who will show their permits before making the request. Any angler without the required permit/licences will be asked to leave the water. Members must not risk their own welfare and safety when requesting documentation.
3.Anglers are only allowed to fish witha maximum of 2 rods on rivers and 4 rods on lakes and only when in possession of the relevant, current angling licence(s).
4.Any angler found breaking any club rules or rules imposed on The Club by the landowners or any authorised agency of the waters that they lease will be reported to committee.
5.Access keys must not be loaned to any person, including other members to gain access to any Ashfield water. Persons found in possession of another person’s key will result in disciplinary action being taken against both members.
6.Where toilets are not available,bag and bin your personal waste,do not leave it at the venue.
7.No lighting of fires allowed on club waters. Cooking apparatus must be raised off the floor and not leave scorch marks.
8.The use of night lights must be restricted so as not to cause an annoyance to other members.
9.Radio and otheraudio/visual equipment must not be used in such a manner as to cause offence to any person.
10.No member shall use or be in possession of a firearm, without the written permission of the committee,on or around any club waters.
11.Radio controlled bait boats are allowed unless specified in the Venue Rules.
12.Boats needed for maintenance and repair work on any Ashfield water must have the written permission of the committee. The boat will be used at the users own risk and they must wear life jackets and not work alone.
13.No boats will be launched from club waters other than those listed in Venue Rules. Members are reminded that it is against British Waterway laws to launch a boat from anywhere other than a designated launch site.
14.Members must not damage any bank, trees, and fences; flatten any waterside vegetation, reeds, water lilies and any other fixtures on club waters. Removal of newly planted trees and vegetation will not be tolerated. Pruning of trees will only be done by the bailiffs or members officially sanctioned to carry out such work.
15.All dogs must be kept under proper control and faecalwaste removed from the pegand venue.
16.Members canfish the same peg, on club waters that allow night fishing,up to a maximum of 4 days (96hours) in any one session. They must not return for at least 2 days (48 hours) to the same peg.
17.Pre-baiting a swim does not give the member priority to fish the swim. Members must accept that the swim may be occupied by another angler when they return to fish.
18.Members cannot reserve or save swims for themselves or other anglers. You must remove tackle from the swim when not fishing i.e. no baited tackle in the water.
19.Members contributing to any form of media publication must not disclose any Ashfield Club venue by name or photograph, where the background can be identified to a specific venueunless you have written approval of the committee or are using our official Facebook page.
20.Members must use angling specific fishing bivvys or umbrellas, not tents.
Section C.FISHING RULES FOR ALL MEMBERS
1.Strictly no match fishing on any club waters without the written permission of the Committee.
2.Strictly no illegal stocking or removal of fish from any club waters,including the removal of fish for live/dead baits.You can, however, use fish for predator fishingon the water that you caught them from.
3.No coarse fish, dead or alive may be removed from club waters or between waters without the written consent of the committee. Anyperson who unlawfully takes/ destroys or attempts to take/ destroy any fish on private property WILL BE PROSECUTED under the THEFT ACT 1968.
4.No member shall leave baited tackle unattended. Forthis rule,unattended means 10metres (11 yards) either side of the tackle.
5.No non-member may be in charge ofany baited tackle.
6.Members can only fish one peg at a time. When using multiple rod set-ups,the rods must be spaced such that the distance between the buttsof the outside rods is no more than 3 metres (10feet) apart.
7.No peanuts to be used on any venue.
8.If particle baits are used,ensure that they have been pre-soaked and thoroughly cooked for the required time. If unsure how to prepare particles safely then only use commercially prepared baits.
9.Members must not use fixed lead set-ups(semi fixed is ok), leads must be able to separate fromthe line ifsnapped.Spiked sea fishing style break away leads are not allowed.
10.Keep nets must comply with environmental agency specifications. No specimen fish to be kept in a keep net.Keep nets mustbe staked out correctly in water deep enough to cover the rings of the net. Special rules may be implemented during adverse weather conditions.It is the member’sresponsibility to check if keep nets can be used with the bailiffor committee.
11.Use only a knotless landing net big enough for the intended species.
12.Always carry, at least 2, suitable disgorgers/forceps of the recommended sizeand strength for the safe removal of hooks.
13.Always carry wire cutters if predator fishing.
14.No gaffs or gags to be used.
15.Only use barbless,semi barbed or crushed barbedhooks for predator fishing.
16.Unhooking mats must be used whenever a fish is to be laid on the ground, even if it is in a landing net or keepnet.
17.Unhooking mats and weigh slings should be an adequate size for thespecies. Ensure that the mat and slings are wet before use.
18.Keep the fish wet at all times, especially in hot, dry conditions.
19.Specimen fish may be retained for a short periodin a sack, retaining sling, fish tube or alarge landing net for weighing and photography.
20.All keepnets(when allowed), landing nets, sacks, weigh slings, retaining slings, fish tubes, unhooking mats, etc.must be completely dry (in sunlight) before being placed in the wateror a fish comes into contact with them. This is to protect our waters from KHV.
21.Return the fish as soon as possible to the water, supporting the fish in the water untilit has recovered sufficiently to swim off on its own. Treat all fish with care.
22.Members must adhere strictly to the rules covering the handling and safe return of fishtothe water. Remember all fish, are an asset and investment for the club.
Section D.PREDATOR ANGLING
1.All fish to be treated with the greatest respect and care. Pike & Predators are far more fragile than their reputation suggests.
2.All predators, Pike, Zander, Perch, Eels and catfish shall be returned alive to the water where caught.
3.If Catfish are caught, you must record the weight and return to the water where caught and notify a member of the committee. AAC will then notify the Environment Agency with the information.
4.Live bait can only be used from the water being fished, be selective of bait, do not use rare or specimen fish. Remember not everyone is keen with this method of fishing.
5.Use sea fish for dead baits fresh or frozen. Use commercially frozen coarse/trout dead bait only because of the risk of spreading disease between waters.Between April 1st and September 30th inclusive:
1.Strictly NO treble hooks.
2.Only use coarse fish baits, maximum size 4”.
3.Single hook only maximum size 2/0.
4.A wire trace must be used with a minimum breakingstrain of 20lbs unless "drop shotting".
5.Lure fishing and "drop shot methods" will be allowed but the bait must be max 4" and only have 1 single hook size 2/0max.6.Shads, Jellies, Lures and fish replicants etc.can be used,but no larger than 4" and must have 1 single hook only,max size 2/0.
Section E.VENUE RULES
All Venues
1)Fishing only within club boundaries as provided on the interactive map and by signs at each end of the venue.
2)All gates must be closed and locked behind you when entering or exiting the venue.
3)Park considerately, in designated areas where appropriate, do not block access routes, do not park too close to the water edge or in a place that could damage the peg.
4)Drive slowly through venue villages and stay below 10mph on venue tracks.
5)If you have access to Lock toilet facilities, then please be respectful and leave them in a clean state with the door re-locked.
6)If you need to make a river peg, try not to cause too much disruption to the landscape.
7)Riversare closed from 15th March until 16th June, lakes are open all year round.
8)No litter of any kind is to be left on any venue, if there is litter in your swim when you arrive then you must remove it.
9)If any rule clarification is required, then please consult the venue bailiff.
10)There is a 2-rod limit on all river venues.
11)Rods must be place no more than 3 metres apart on all venues.
Cromwell Lock and Weir
1)In wet weather, no vehicle may drive or park on the grassed area along the stretch.
2)No parking on the lane leading to the lock or the lock area beyond the conifer hedge.
Stoke Bardolph Estate Lock and Weir
1)No parking in the wheelie bin area and take care not to obstruct the lock-keeper’s vehicles.
3)Member’s crossing over lock gates to reach the island must do so with extreme caution, making sure that the small wooden gate is closed behind them.3)Members are forbidden to fish into the lock or from the high lock walls.
4)Members can fish from the floating boat moorings above and below the lock from 1st October to 14th March each year. No fishing is allowed from the moorings at any other time.
5)Members should be mindful of the moored boats and be aware of the residents and their property in the area.
6)Extreme care must be taken when fishing from the boat ramp into the weir. Remember it can be unsteady underfoot when wet. The river can rise rapidly when in flood.
Winthorpe Lake and River Trent
1)Drive carefully and slowly around the tracks and do not drive in the wheel ruts of other vehicles. Do not drive on the grass if it is too wet.
2)Vehicles parked on the Trent bank and the Lake side should park no closer than 3 metres (10 feet) from the banks edge.
3)No parking on the spit area of the lake when the ground is wet or when the rope is up.
4)Strictly no fishing in theriver and lake at the same time.
5)Fishing allowed from designated pegs only.
Thrumpton Estate
1)Members can only enter the estate after dawn and must be off the estate by dusk. Fishing is only permitted during daytime. Access times are clearly stated at the entrance to the estate.
Cauldwell Dam
1)No boilies.
2)Barbless hooks only.
3)Maximum 2kgs of ground bait to be used in any one session.
4)No night fishing.
5)No carp to be kept in keepnets.
Gunthorpe Lakes and River Trent
1)Access to the estate is via the Ashfield key locked gate on the A6097, near David Fullers Caravans.
2)Strictly no fishing from the high bank between FP Lake and Duffers Lake due to health and Safety.
3)Kingfisher Lake is for our affiliated Kingfisher Angling Club members only and not to be fished by the standard Ashfield Club membership.
4)Rowing boat may be used on lakes to assist in the landing of specimen fish over barsor when weeded. The boat will be used at the angler’s own risk. Life jackets must be worn and not used alone.
5)Tench Lake (Small Lake) is limited to a maximum of 2 Rods.
6)The finger island on FP is a nesting area for birds and no access is permitted unless attending to a tethered bird or fish.
Bingham Pond
1)No parking at Lowdhams Caravans.
Fillingham Lake
1)Fishing to the Left of the Bridge only.
2)No members to the right of the bridge even if not fishing.
3)Night fishing is allowed but no traffic movement after 1 hour into dark, or 1 hour before light.
4)No Dogs Allowed.
5)No Fires
Westwoodside
1)2 rods maximum.
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