Fishery Rules
A day ticket must be purchased from a local tackle shop before fishing any lakes.
Your membership number must be written on your day ticket and the day ticket is to be deposited in the box provided prior to proceeding to your fishing place.
Members must leave fishery and car park by the stated closing times.
A member who remains in or upon any of the Association’s waters after closing time and is locked in when the gates close shall pay a fee (the amount of which shall be determined from time to time by the committee) to defer the cost of a bailiff or other authorised person attending the fishery and reopening the gates and until the fee is paid that member shall be suspended from membership of the Association.
There is no access to lakes, car parks or surrounding areas outside of the times shown.
DEFINITIONS:
- The terms - The Association, Association or BAA - means the Bathampton Angling Association.
- For the purposes of these Rules a “Restricted Water” owned or leased by The Association means a water where a day ticket or season ticket is required in addition to a normal membership permit. “Unrestricted Waters” means any other water where fishing rights are owned or leased by The Association.
- TDCFAH - The Dave Crookes Fishery at Hunstrete
- Rod - a fishing rod, pole or whip
General Rules and Information.
On becoming a member of the Bathampton Angling Association (referred to as BAA or The Association) a member accepts the rules of The Association and claiming ignorance of the rules will not be considered a viable excuse if any rule is broken or ignored. Read rules on the membership card and any day ticket.
Rules may be introduced, varied or removed at any time deemed necessary by The Association. See the club website or Facebook for changes or news and noticeboards at fisheries.
Membership runs from 1st January - expiring on 31st December - every year, irrespective of when purchased. Memberships become available from mid December for the remainder of the current year and next year inclusive and are valid from the date purchased. Members must show their membership book before admission to the AGM.
Members not in possession of their current valid membership card when attending any Association fishery may be asked to leave.
In so far as the law allows, The Association will not be responsible for any accident or damage or personal injury that may be caused to person or property for any reason, at any Association fisheries or their surrounds.
Depending on circumstances, members breaking club rules may be asked to leave the fishing site and surrender their membership cards and in such cases the Head Bailiff will pursue the matter. A disciplinary hearing may be instigated to decide further action against the member that may result in a temporary or life ban.
A Member may not attend nor fish any BAA fishery during the period that a membership card has been retained or a ban is in effect.
Members will be liable for any damage they or their guest(s) may cause and the member will be responsible for the behaviour of their guest(s) who must adhere to Association rules.
A day ticket must be purchased in addition to normal membership from a local tackle shop before fishing any lakes - save and except for silver, gold and life members or members holding a pass granted by the Association.
General rules apply to ALL Association fisheries save and except where the specific rules relating to individual venues conflict with the general rules in which case the specific rules apply. See rules for The Dave Crookes Fishery at Hunstrete, Newton Park, Lydes Farm and Box Brook. Box Brook requires additional permits.
See All Other Information and Rules relating to pike fishing, coaching and under 12’s rules. (Page 14)
Anglers under the age of 12 do not need an environment agency rod licence. A 12 to 16 year old needs to apply for a free rod licence. Anglers aged 17 years old or more need an adult rod licence.
Anglers must allow any club official to inspect permits and any tackle at any time. Rig checks may be carried out by club officials.
Members are asked to report any suspicious activities or breaking of club rules and to be vigilant with regards to fish theft or poaching activities, reporting such matters when possible to any club official.
It is not permitted to reserve or pre-book any fishing platform, swim or space. save and except for official BAA Coaches or events organised and sanctioned in writing by The Association.
No match or competition may take place that has not been sanctioned or agreed to by The Association on any Association waters.
Night fishing on lakes is not permitted, unless authorised by The Association or representative. Night fishing on the River Avon and Kennet and Avon canal is allowed once a night permit has been obtained.
All persons under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times when attending any BAA fishery by a full member over the age of 21 years.
The only exception to this is when a junior is a member who holds a National Disabled Identification (DID) card, in which case he or she may be accompanied by a Carer/Parent. A letter of permission for the carer or parent to accompany the junior member may be obtained on request from the BAA General Secretary.
No cycling, roller-skating, skate-boarding or using manual or electric scooters is permitted at fisheries under the control of the Association.
MEMBERS WILL NOT:
Remove or move - any fish from any venue other than trout where appropriate and may be prosecuted and banned for life if found to do so. Movement of fish must be sanctioned by the E.A. and BAA and performed only by club officials.
On any lake, use fully barbed hooks or altered hooks. Only unaltered barbless or micro-barbed hooks are allowed. (Separate rules apply to fishing for pike.)
Be in possession of - Tins or cans. Any offensive weapon. Any animal (other than a guide dog). Alcohol or drugs. (Prescription drugs are permitted)
Use the following as bait - dead or alive - Freshwater fish, Maggots with Chrysodine, Auromine or Rhodamine added.
Fish with more than two rods at any one time.
Vacate a fishing spot or peg where a rod is cast out for any reason. (If you wish to assist another member or leave the occupied location you must wind in all rods and make them safe.)
Dig at any bank or Climb trees, Light Fires or barbecues
Leave litter - any person fishing at a spot containing litter shall be held responsible for same, and will be liable to expulsion from The Association, pending a decision by the Disciplinary Sub Committee.
Park any vehicle in any fields adjoining Association fisheries (unless authorised) or block any access points.
Fish within 30 metres of any power lines or cable or where signs dictate.
FISHING METHODS ALLOWED:
Fishing is by conventional method only which includes rod and reel or ‘pole or whip’ referred to as a Rod for rules purposes.
The following methods of taking fish are prohibited and anyone found doing so may be prosecuted:
Netting, snaring, fouling, trailing, gleaving, setting trimmers, long lines and any night lines.
LAKE FISHING - General rules.
See rules below for the specific lake to be fished.
Where dip tanks are provided they must be used.
A day ticket must be purchased in addition to normal membership from a nominated local tackle shop before fishing any lakes.
Day tickets must show your membership number and be deposited in the ticket box provided on entry to the venue - save and except for silver, gold or life members or any person granted a valid pass.
Bailiffs may require a member to discontinue fishing if in the Bailiff’s reasonable opinion, the equipment being used is unsuitable for the fish likely to be caught. Especially so for landing nets/mats.
Members must keep to proper paths to access the lakes and not block or partially block footpaths or access or exit points.
Members must fish only from the designated platforms on any lake. No bank sticks allowed outside of the peg except in front of the peg in the lake bed.
A member may only occupy one peg at any one time. If anglers share a swim or platform a maximum of two rods per swim applies. There is a maximum limit of two anglers per peg except when a senior member has relinquished his two rod maximum to two under 12’s accompanying him or her - or where coaching by authorised BAA. coaches is taking place. see ALL OTHER INFORMATION AND RULES - THE UNDER 12 RULES -
No Fly Fishing - fly fishing of any description or type is banned.
Hooks - See General Rules and Information and Other Information and Rules but other than pike fishing, unaltered, manufactured MICRO-BARBED or BARBLESS hooks only are to be used.
Any form of method feeding allowed must be in conjunction with unaltered tackle products as supplied by the manufacturer and the “Method” style of fishing is banned, unless a free running in-line feeder or a free running in-line lead is used or a bolt rig style or the elastic must pass through the feeder .
The use of lead-core in any form and as any part of a fishing set-up is prohibited.
No fixed or tether-style feeders are allowed.
Bolt rigs and fixed leads are banned, unless the lead is correctly attached to a commercially manufactured quick release safety lead clip, as directed by the manufacturer.
The Beach Casting method is not allowed.
Bait - See also General Rules and Information.
No pre-baiting of swims is allowed.
No person may introduce any bait, loose feed or groundbait into the water unless doing so at the time of occupying a swim that is being fished.
All hi-tech carp fishing “Boilie Shooters” [based on paint-ball guns] are banned.
All nuts are banned including tiger nuts.
The use of bloodworm and joker is allowed only from 1st October to 15th June, inclusive.
Using freshwater fish as bait, whether dead or alive is banned.
No unused bait to be left on the bank after fishing.
Biscuits (generally known as floating biscuit or floaters) made for the
consumption by dogs and or
cats or any similar biscuit used as animal food, unless manufactured as
and being specifically
recognised suitable for fish is prohibited as hook bait or used as loose
feed attractors.
Line - Braided main line may be used ONLY for spodding.
Unhooking Mats and Landing Nets.
Keepnets.
Restrictions may vary due to seasonal conditions. No carp in keepnets except in sanctioned matches where specified rules for an event will be in effect.
Keepnets must be suitable for purpose and of legal size and dipped where dip tanks are provided.
BARBECUES
No barbecues allowed unless for work parties or committee attendances
ADDITIONAL RULES FOR THE DAVE CROOKES FISHERY AT HUNSTRETE. (Referred to as TDCFAH)
See Also LAKE FISHING - General rules.
TDCFAH is owned by The Association and is Private Property. Access to the public is only permitted along the public footpaths. Some rules are not applicable to other stillwaters which are leased to The Association.
Access is via the timed electric main gate and is controlled by a key pad on entry and the keypad will only work during specified hours and due to this, all vehicles must exit the fishery before the stated closing times.
Opening and closing times are posted at the site entrance. The driver of any vehicle locked in when the gates lock shall pay a fee (the amount of which shall be determined from time to time by the committee) to defer the cost of a bailiff or other authorised person attending the fishery and reopening the gates.
Until the fee is paid the member responsible shall be suspended from membership of The Association.
There is no access to lakes, car parks or surrounding areas outside of the times shown at the main gate.
All members must be in possession of their membership cards when attending the complex. Any member not in possession of a current membership card is not allowed onto TDCFAH. No guests are allowed without written permission.
Members with intending to fish must have a valid day ticket dated for that day - save and except for silver, gold and life members.
Members are advised to always check notice boards at the fishery for possible variations to the rules and bye-laws and availability of lakes. (See also The Association website and Facebook). Read rules on day tickets and membership cards.
When dip takes are present, use is compulsory as directed - prior to arriving at the desired peg.
Visitors/Carers and Non-members at the DCFAH:
Provision is made for one non-member (referred to as a non-fishing guest) to accompany an adult member. Applications for a guest pass must be made in writing to the Membership Secretary. Email is acceptable, and consent if given, will be confirmed in a written pass. The member must be in possession of the pass at all times when accompanied by a guest and produce it on demand from any club official for inspection. A carer in this context is treated as a guest. Guests are not at any time permitted to fish.
Restrictions relating to guests are listed on the consent form and must be adhered to.
A maximum of two non-members to be with the member at any time. See ALL OTHER INFORMATION AND RULES - THE UNDER 12 RULES - Page 14.
It is anticipated that parents/carers/non-members may enter the complex to drop off or pick up participants and this will be permitted but otherwise any non-member attending the fishery without appropriate written or agreed permission will be asked to leave as may any accompanying member.
Other Rules:
Anglers must not obstruct the public footpath (on the dam/north side of Hunstrete Lake) or any road or path within the complex.
A toilet is available. Please use it. Suitable for wheelchair/disabled access.
Swims or platforms.
Members must fish only from the designated platforms on any lake. No bank sticks allowed outside of the peg except in front of the peg in the lake bed.
Pegs more suitable and safer for use by disabled anglers are so marked and available on Bridge and Withy Pools and Main Lake. Disabled anglers will have priority at all times and able-bodied members must move if the peg is required by a disabled angler [provided no other suitable platform for disabled members is available].
NEWTON PARK - Additional Rules:
See LAKE FISHING - General rules.
Fishing rights at Newton Park Lake are leased to The Association by the Duchy of Cornwall and fishing is only permitted from the numbered, established pegs and only fish during permitted times.
Members must use the designated car park. Obstruction of the road and/or gateways may result in removal of an offending vehicle.
Members must close and if possible, lock the car park gate after passing through, when arriving and leaving.
Access is not allowed to the lake other than by the designated path.
Do not climb any fences.
Members should always check noticeboards at the fishery for possible variations to the bye-laws and read rules on day tickets and membership cards. Opening and closing times vary throughout the year and members have no access outside these times - details are available on The Association Website and Facebook.
Members intending to fish must have a valid @day ticket dated for that day, purchased prior to fishing - save and except for silver, gold and life members.
When dip takes are present, use is compulsory prior to accessing the lake.
Fish only from within the peg boundary.
Members must keep to proper paths to access the lakes and not block or partially block footpaths or access or exit points. All equipment, and shelters, must be kept in the peg being fished - do not erect any shelter outside of the peg or on or beyond the path.
No banksticks or rods outside the peg .
Guests may not fish except with regards to non-members who are under 12 attending to fish with a senior member - see ALL OTHER INFORMATION AND RULES - THE UNDER 12 RULES -
Members bringing a guest (other than as above) may not bring more than one guest without written permission from the General Secretary. Members will be held responsible for the behaviour of any guest.
If any club official deems a guest or member is causing a disturbance or considered to be affecting the other members, they may be asked to leave.
KENNET AND AVON CANAL
Do not fish where signs dictate.
Do not obstruct the footpath, locks, bridges, designated moorings, water points or turning points.
Do not fish within 25 metres of locks or moveable bridges.
No Night Fishing unless in possession of a permit.
(BEWARE OF CYCLISTS AND WALKERS AND DOGS WHEN FISHING)
BOX BROOK - Artificial Fly Fishing - Additional Rules:
Additional permits are required before fishing the Brook.
Fishing is with artificial fly only.
Only flies dressed on barbless hooks or which have been de-barbed, or on which the barb has been flattened may be used.
Maximum Hook size is 12.
Members should always check notice boards at the fishery for possible variations to the bye-laws
ALL OTHER INFORMATION AND RULES
PIKE FISHING.
Members are advised to check the Pike Anglers Club website (www.pacgb.co.uk) for best practices on caring for all pike.
All pike must be returned to the water immediately except when a fish may be retained in a landing net in the water whilst preparations are made for weighing and/or photographing only. Members are expected to apply common sense regarding the best welfare of the fish and return them as soon as possible.
Large padded unhooking mats are compulsory as are large landing nets and rules relating to this are under “LAKE FISHING General Rules” above.
Members must carry at least one pair of forceps with minimum length of 10 ins (25cms) and a pair of wire cutters for removing hooks.
Members must use a minimum 15 lbs (6.8 kgs) b.s monofilament or co-polymer or fluorocarbon main line. Braid mainlines are not allowed on lakes only allowed on rivers and canals.
Members must use a wire trace of at least 25 lbs (11.4 kgs) b.s. and at least 18 ins (45cms) long.
Using freshwater fish as bait for Pike, whether dead or alive, is banned.
When using treble hooks, semi-barbless trebles must be used i.e. two hooks will be barbless and only one barbed (for securing the bait).
Members must strike immediately a run develops.
When Lure Fishing For Pike any lure with any barb is strictly prohibited and must be modified to comply with this rule by pressing down barbs so that only a smooth bump remains.
COACHING.
The following rules apply to any coaching activities other than by official BAA coaches.
- Written permission to coach must be applied for.
- Anyone coaching must hold a current adult membership.
- Any person, company or organisation who is coaching on any Bathampton A.A.waters for profit or on a commercial basis shall be limited to the use of not more than four (4) fishing platforms and / or four (4) pupils. For the purposes of these rules, anyone holding a rod or pole with line or other tackle in the water must be a member of the BAA and hold current membership and have day permit or day ticket as applicable.
THE UNDER 12 RULES.
No under 12 may fish unless accompanied at all times by an adult member or is under the control of an organised event.
Where an under 12 is a junior member and is in possession of a valid day ticket if required, then full rights to fish at a designated peg/swim are in effect. However the attending adult must be in control of the safety and behaviour of the junior and common sense to distance should be paramount. An adjacent peg/swim is strongly advised and juniors must not wander around unaccompanied.
Any angler under the age of 12 [“Under Twelve”] who does not legally require an Environment Agency Rod Licence may fish restricted waters owned or leased by The Association without the purchase of an Association annual permit, day permit or restricted waters permit providing the Under 12 is accompanied at all times by a current adult member. The following applies to this condition:
A maximum of two Under-Twelve’s may accompany an adult member (“Sponsor) to share or fish a single swim, fishing platform or place.
Each Under-Twelve must arrive, remain with and leave with his or her Sponsor.
The Sponsor must concede one of his or her rod entitlements to each Under-Twelve fishing the Sponsor’s swim, fishing platform or place.
An Under-Twelve may not fish any vacant swim, fishing platform or place other than that of his or her Sponsor unless the Under-Twelve is receiving tuition from one of The Association’s recognised coaches.
Only two anglers at any one time shall be permitted to fish from one swim, fishing platform or place i.e. One Sponsor and one Under-Twelve or two Under Twelve’s with a Sponsor in attendance who in any event shall be responsible for the conduct of each Under Twelve, fishing that swim, fishing platform or place.
Each Under-Twelve must at all times comply with the Rules and Bye-Laws of The Association and any infringement of these will be the Sponsors responsibility and may result in the Under-Twelve concerned being banned from The Association’s waters and the Sponsor being liable to expulsion from The Association.