Fishery Rules

GENERAL RULES

All anglers must hold a valid Environment Agency Licence. 

Maximum of 2 rods per peg.

Stay on your peg, do not move around between pegs or lakes.

DAY TICKETS

Ticket Machine in operation.

All anglers must purchase a ticket before proceeding to their peg.

Tickets must be retained and shown on request.

Anyone found fishing without a valid ticket will be required to pay an additional charge.

MEMBERS

Season Ticket holders may proceed directly to their peg but must carry their membership at all times.

BAIT RULES

Fishery own pellets for feeding. A small amount of your own pellets can be used on the hook. 

(we will announce when this Fishery Pellets rule is effective, until then you can use your own bait)

Groundbait limit - maximum 2kg per person. 

Left over bait must be taken away or disposed of in the nearest bin provided on each lake.

Please do not leave any bait on the side of the lakes.

PERMITTED BAITS

Maggots 

Pellets 

Casters

Sweetcorn 

Hemp

Worms

Prawns

Paste

BANNED BAITS

Boilies

Tiger nuts

All nuts

Chickpeas

Trout pellets

Cat & dog meat/biscuits

Luncheon meat

Bloodworm or Joker

Mussels

Bread is seasonally banned between 1st April to 1st October each year. 

Bread may be used outside these dates and only as hook bait, not floating bread.

Do not throw any bread in or around the lakes at any time.

No floating baits allowed.

MATCH RULES

Match rules are available to view on our website.

Please ensure all anglers and organisers have read and understood the rules before fishing, thank you.

FISH WELFARE

Fish must never be placed directly on the grass or ground.

Fish must be unhooked and handled on a suitably wetted unhooking mat.

Please keep fish out of the water for the shortest time possible.

Return fish safely and promptly once unhooked, to minimise stress and protect their welfare.

TACKLE RULES

Maximum Hook Size - Size 12.

True barbless hooks only.

Braided main line is not permitted.

Live baiting, lure fishing and spinning are not permitted.

Landing nets must be dipped in the tanks provided and laid on the bank before fishing.

Unhooking mats must be used when bringing fish onto the bank to unhook.

No keep nets allowed for pleasure angling. Keep nets only allowed for matches.

VENUE RULES

No night fishing.

No fish may be removed from the fishery.

All fish remain the property of Birch House Lakes.

The unauthorised removal of fish is theft and will be reported to the police.

No drones without permission. Drones must not be launched, landed or flown anywhere on site without prior permission from Management.

JUNIOR ANGLERS

Children aged 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

No drop offs are permitted.

RESPECT THE FISHERY AND STAFF

No fires or BBQs.

No alcohol anywhere on site.

Please keep noise to a minimum. Loud music and radios are not permitted.

All rubbish must be taken with you or placed in the bins provided responsibly.

Bins are provided on each lake for use in moderation.

No interference with equipment or facilities.

No entering restricted or staff only areas.

Respect the venue, fellow anglers, our staff and the fishery at all times. We will not tolerate any foul language or misconduct towards staff or the business. Anyone found trespassing, interfering with buildings, littering or causing damage will be banned.

Any damage identified will be pursued for recovery of costs.

CCTV IN OPERATION & RIGHT OF ADMISSION

CCTV is in operation throughout the site and is monitored at all times.

Birch House Lakes reserves the right to refuse access to any persons to the lakes and has the right to remove any persons from the site.