General Rules

PLEASE NOTE: It is your responsibility to check and observe the rules specific to the water you are fishing and in addition to ensure that you have parked legally and that you use only the appointed access routes shown in the Association map book. Any changes to the Rules or other information contained in the handbook will be notified to members via the Association’s website, or on notice boards at the venues concerned. The Association operates a ‘zero tolerance’ policy on issues such as litter and the possession of alcohol. The Management Committee will close or place restrictions upon the use of any water where such issues become problematic.

The Management Committee reserves the right to close any water either for maintenance purposes or in the interests of conservation or fish welfare. Members are requested to take every step to ensure the welfare of fish at all times. As well as the use of adequate tackle, members should avoid excessive handling of fish or prolonging their stay out of water for weighing and photographing. The use of products designed to promote healing of spawning scars or other injury is also encouraged.

Remember: minimum handling = maximum conservation. The Association will not be held responsible for legal action taken against any member who fails to comply with the law.

In granting membership the Association offers no guarantee or warranty as to the condition of the waterway, its banks or towpath. Furthermore, the Association will not be held liable for any loss, injury or damage, howsoever this may be caused.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS BREACHING ANY OF THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN A BAN FROM NAA.

A Close Season from 14th March @23.59 to the 15th June @ 23.59 inclusive shall apply on the following Association venues:
1. River Dane and River Weaver (including Marshalls Arm and the Old River at Vale Royal)
2. Wincham Brook (except for fishing for Trout with artificial fly or worm only during this period)
3. All still waters will remain open 12 months of the year, however, the Committee reserves the right to close any of these waters for maintenance, work parties, interests of conservation or fish welfare.
A maximum of two rods may be used at any one time except on Budworth Mere and Pickmere, where three rods may be used if the angler has the extra EA Licence to cover the extra rod.
The use of line NOT connected to a rod is strictly forbidden
Members without a night fishing permit are NOT allowed on any Association waters any earlier than 1 hour before sunrise and no later than 1 hour after sunset
Only Seniors and Senior Citizens members in possession of a Night permit may fish Association waters where night fishing is permitted, the only exceptions to this are:
At Pettypool where fishing is only permitted from 04.00 hrs until 23.30 hrs throughout the year. However, senior members must be in possession of a night card in order to be able to fish these hours. If not in possession of a night card, RULE 4 APPLYS
Big Billinge and Eyre’s Pit, where Junior members may night fish if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. NOTE A – The Parent or guardian must hold a night permit. NOTE B – Both must be in the same peg and no more than two rods can be used.
Members MUST co-operate, assist the request of bailiffs or Association Officials upon request. Their word is FINAL. Any complaints to be made to The Secretary in writing or email.
Members must be either in possession of their ID card or have access to their online membership login in order to prove valid membership, this can also be checked on the bank by a Bailiff or Club Official. Members must also be in possession of a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence.
DOGS are not permitted to accompany members on any Association venue except for rivers and canals where this is a Public Right of Way. Dogs must be well behaved and be kept under control at all times. NO dog fouling to be left.
Bloodworm may NOT be collected FROM or USED on any Association venue.
Up to 6 small fish may be caught and used for live or dead baiting in any session providing they are caught from the venue you intend to use them; they are not taken away to other venues and any fish left alive must be returned at the end of your session. The use of dead game, sea or coarse fish for bait is also permitted. All other fish, including Pike and Eels must be returned to the water after capture.
NO Carp or other specimen fish may be kept in keepnets. Between 1st of August and the 1st of March, Carp and other specimen fish may be retained in a floating retaining sling for a maximum period of one hour before sunrise only. This is for the purpose of a photograph. Anything before or after this time must be photographed and returned to the water promptly. All holding devices must be an approved material and keepnets must be at least 3 metres long. NO fish of any kind are to be kept netted or retained between the 1st of March and the 31st of July except for bonified matches and any specimen fish will be weighed, logged and returned to the water by a match official promptly after capture.
Fishing is NOT allowed within 30 metres of any overhead power cables.
Members fishing for Carp, Pike or any other specimen fish must be in possession of landing nets and unhooking mats of a size appropriate for their intended quarry and under no circumstances should any fish be placed on any hard surfaces. Members found without adequate equipment will be asked to leave and not return until adequate equipment is obtained.
Members must NOT leave rods with baited lines unattended either in or out of the water and members must not be more than one swim left or right of your chosen swim. Rods must be wound in and bait and or rigs must be removed if you need to be further than one swim away.
Pre-Baiting is ONLY permitted on the following venues:
1. Budworth Mere
2. River Weaver
3. River Dane
4. Pickmere Lake
Members MUST NOT use excessive quantities of bait or feed. The use of Redband, Pigeon conditioner, Maize, Tiger Nuts or Peanuts is BANNED from use between 31st October and 1st April on all still waters. Pellets, Sweetcorn and hemp may be used.
Members may use small portable petrol or gas fired stoves and CAN use portable barbeques which must be raised off the ground. Disposable barbeques are NOT permitted, and all ash must be extinguished and removed at the end of the session. Ignoring this will result in barbeques being BANNED. Open fires are NOT ALLOWED. BARBEQUES ARE NOT ALLOWED AT PETTYPOOL AT ANY TIME AS PER SSSI AND NATURAL ENGLAND RULES
The use of boats including bait boats is NOT permitted on any Association water.
Lead core and fused leaders ARE permitted and must be tied correctly. The use of braided leaders and mainlines is NOT permitted except for Spod and marker set ups, feeder or predator fishing. Rig checks WILL be carried out and Members are expected to co operate fully. Failure to do so may result in a BAN.
The use of line below 15lb or 0.35 in diameter while fishing for Carp is NOT permitted on any Association water except for PETTYPOOL, where 10lb at minimum 0.25 diameter IS permitted when fishing at long range but not in pegs 1,2,3 and 4. This must be 15lb or 0.35 minimum.
Swims are on a first come first served basis. Members must NOT bucket or save swims for members who are not at the venue and members are expected to be patient while any members arriving before them choose their swim. Please Note: PETTYPOOL you may not arrive or enter its car park before 3.30 am and a draw for swims may take place at 03.45 am should a single member ask for it, and at this point all attending members must take part in the draw without complaint. If any members wish to swap swims with another member after the draw this is at their discretion, but no other draws will take place after 03.45 am.
NO Drugs or Alcohol permitted at any time.
NO Offensive weapons to be carried by any members at any time.
Guests are permitted but they must be Association members. None members are not allowed
Members must not climb, cut or otherwise vandalise any fences/Otter fences, this includes leaning on, or hanging fishing equipment on. Members must enter and leave through gates provided which must be closed and locked immediately after using them. These must be kept closed and locked at all times and not held open unless you are fully ready to enter the venue. NO EXCEPTIONS.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE ALSO VENUE SPECIFIC RULES THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE WATERS PAGES.