RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR 2025/26
General Rules
1. An Environment Agency Licence is required by law if you are aged 13 or over.
2. The Committee empowers all its bailiffs to instruct anglers to leave the fishery or its surrounding area for contravention of any club rules, if necessary, the police will be called. Hook and Rig checks can and will be arried out by bailiffs or committee members at any time.
3. EA rules regarding close season and methods in
relation to the river close season are in force on all river stretches. At any other time, the closed season shall be at the committee’s discretion on all club waters.
4. No Keepnets allowed except on Foulridge or when a match is being held on all other waters. No keepnets to be used from dusk till dawn.
5. Every angler must be in possession of a landing net, unhooking tool. Any angler found without the required equipment will be told to leave the water. Sea dditional rules for carp and pike fishing.
6. Fishing is only allowed from permanent pegs on
Stillwater’s. One angler per peg unless the second
angler is a juvenile or disabled and requires assistance
7. Rods must be within 1m of the peg and no sharing of pods or rests allowed. As per EA rules the butts of the outermost rods isn’t more than 3 metres apart.
8. Anglers must not damage the banks, walls or trees.
9. Every Angler is responsible for ensuring all litter is removed from your swim, Take your litter home. Please do not fill bins at the lakes. Keep Britain Tidy.
10. Live and dead baiting using coarse fish baits is strictly prohibited. Dead baiting using sea fish baits is allowed.
11. Membership card or proof of purchase must be shown upon request to an official bailiff or a full club member on production of their card.
12. Tents, camping and the lighting of fires or barbeques are strictly prohibited.
13. Night fishing is allowed for members 16 years old and over who have purchased the multi rod annual membership.
14. No fly fishing allowed, except on the River Calder.
15. All fish to be returned on all waters.
16. All bait tins are strictly prohibited on the bankside.
17. The use of firearms is strictly prohibited.
18. The committee may close the waters at their own discretion. No boating or remote-controlled boats allowed with the exception of bait boats at Rowley Lake, Walverden and Foulridge
Reservoirs.
19. If member’s cards require replacement; it must be obtained from the place of origin at a cost of £4.
20. All rigs must be fish safe so there is minimal risk of the fish being tethered. No elasticated method feeders other than Guru xsafe, in-line method feeders allowed.
21. No fishing for predators on stillwaters from 1st of June until 30th of September, no spinning, dropshotting, wobbling or deadbaiting.
22. Pike Fishing - Mainline must be a minimum of 12lb breaking strain. No braid mainlines. Braid line may be used for lure fishing. Semi barbless trebles and a wire trace must be used. Anglers should be in possession of the correct equipment required for fish care and handling, flat mat, forceps and fish care kit. Fish must be rested for at least five minutes prior to weighing and
photographing but no fish are retained more than 15 minutes.
23. Night fishing is allowed on Foulridge Reservoir, Rowley Lake, Walverden, Lowerhouse and Calder. No night
fishing on Ballgrove as per council rules. To night fish you must comply with the following: Be in possession of a valid multi rod membership and follow all general and additional rules for the water you are night fishing.
24. On Lowerhouse Lodge no alcohol allowed. No spinning, wobbling or lure fishing. For night fishing booking on at Macks is required before fishing. A maximum number of 4 anglers per night on bivy pegs between 11 to 16 and anglers can only book a maximum two consecutive
nights. If you fail to book on you will be asked leave and be reported to the committee. Barbless or micro barbed hooks allowed. Only one rod during daylight hours between 1st of March until the 30th of September and a maximum of two rods for the rest of the time, second rod must be on an audible alarm. Must have a multi rod
permit to fish two rods. Maximum hook size 8.
4. Matches can be moved at Match Secretary’s discretion.
5. Match Secretary’s decision is final. In all matters of dispute there will be a right of appeal to the committee.
6. Bloodworm and joker banned in all matches.
7. All anglers will be held responsible for litter within mt of each peg.
8. Peg tickets are deened as litter and if left on the bank by member points will be deducted.
9. Any member with cause to complain sall place it in writing and send it to the match secretary within 7 days.
10. Members contravening the club rules could be expelled from the club.
11. Cup holders must accept full responsibility for the safe keeping of any trophies . Any loss or damage to trophies will be charged to to the last recipient.
12. 2 keep nets to be used in matckes at Lowerhouse Lodge.
25. Carp Fishing – Rowley, Walverden and Foulridge can be fished all year round with up to 3 rods. All must be alarmed, on a pod and from one peg only. Barbed/Micro Barbed hooks allowed maximum size 6. Anglers must be in possession of a high sided unhooking mat or cradle and use it for unhooking fish. Mainline must bea minimum of 12lb breaking strain. No braid mainlines. All Landing nets must be
a minimum of 36”. Fish must be rested for at least five minutes prior to weighing and photographing but no fish are retained more than 15 minutes. See additional rules for Lowerhouse.
26. Only shop/online prepared particles allowed members found using un-prepared nuts, maize hemp, seed mixes etc. will be asked to leave the water and members will be brought before the committee.
27. No standing with fish, kneel when taking photos and hold fish over an un-hooking mat.
28. Any club member, who has a grievance, including how the club is run by the committee, should arrange a meeting with the committee. Alternatively, a letter with your grievance or grievances can be handed into Macks tackle shop, you must put your details and membership number on the letter and a return address
so we can reply.
29. Any comments on social media that damages the club reputation will be dealt with and the member involved will face sanctions and or be banned from the social media page permanently.
30. Guest tickets available £20 for 24hrs max all waters and for Foulridge a £10 day ticket (dawn till dusk). Members are responsible for the guest’s behaviour. Must be booked and paid in advance via Paypal. No sharing of kit allowed and must adhere to all rules.
31. No Leadore leaders on any water.
32. The magic twig is banned.
33. Heasandford only 1 rod allowed, maximum hook size 12.
34. Predator ticket only allows members to fish for
predators from the 1st of April to the 31st of May and 1st of October to 31st of March. This ticket does not allow members to fish between the 1st of June to the 31st of September inclusive
Juniors
1. Juniors must not take companions with them unless they are also a member.
2. Junior members are subject to the rules of the
association plus any additional junior rules.
3. Adult memberships commences from 16 years of
Age.
4. Juveniles under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Juvenile’s less than 12 years of age fishing with an adult member can fish for free. Maximum of two juveniles per adult member. Juvenile’s less than 12 years of age fishing with an adult who is not a member must purchase a Juvenile day ticket. Maximum of two Juvenile’s per nonmember adult.
5. Juniors are limited to two rods when and where
Allowed
MATCH DATES
Club matches, open matches and members matches will be announced no later than 10 days before it is due to take place via our social media platforms.
The club reserve the right to run matches on any given day throughout the year using the above rules. pegs may need to be changed If water levels change.
SUMMER LEAGUE PEGS WILL BE SPREAD AROUND
LAKE • ALL OTHER matches WILL ALTERNATE SIDES.
Volunteers
This year the club is introducing a scheme where if you turn up for a work party you will get £5 off your next years licence 2025/26 if you turn up for 2 you get £10 off