EA Anglian Rod Fishing byelaws Oct 2012

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region October 2012

Title here in 8pt Arial (change text colour to black)

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We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment and make it a better place for people and wildlife.

We operate at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact on people’s lives. We reduce the risks to people and properties from flooding; make sure there is enough water for people and wildlife; protect and improve air, land and water quality and apply the environmental standards within which industry can operate.

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We cannot do this alone. We work closely with a wide range of partners including government, business, local authorities, other agencies, civil society groups and the communities we serve.

Published by: Environment Agency Horizon house, Deanery Road Bristol BS1 5AH Email: enquiries@environmentagency.gov.uk www.environment-agency.gov.uk Š Environment Agency 2012 All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency.

Further copies of this report are available from our publications catalogue: http://publications.environmentagency.gov.uk or our National Customer Contact Centre: T: 03708 506506 Email: enquiries@environmentagency.gov.uk.

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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

Contents 1.1

Introduction

1

1.2

Rod licence

1

1.3

Application

2

1.4 1.5

When you can fish How you can fish

3 4

1.6

What fish you can take

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Environment Agency Rod Licence Byelaws - Anglian Region

1.1 Introduction Rod fishing byelaws are statutory rules and regulations put in place by the Environment Agency. They protect migratory and freshwater fish stocks, and the fisheries they support from damaging fishing practices.

Rod fishing byelaws set out when you can fish (open and close seasons); where you can fish; how you can fish; and what fish you can take.

Anyone fishing with rod and line in England and Wales must hold a rod fishing licence (see below) and comply with the byelaws that cover the waters where they are fishing.

Some fisheries byelaws are local, covering specific waters; others apply to the whole of Anglian Region; and some national byelaws cover all waters in England and Wales.

We have identified which are national and regional byelaws for your convenience.

Anyone failing to comply with these byelaws could face prosecution and receive a fine of up to ÂŁ50,000.

This document summarises the rod fishing byelaws that cover waters in the Environment Agency's Anglian Region (other byelaws cover fishing by nets, traps and other methods). It is not a legal interpretation, but provides a layman's guide.

Appendix A provides a list of all byelaws applicable to rod fishing.

A full copy of the byelaws can be obtained from the Environment Agency by calling 03708 506 5061 (Mon-Fri, 8am - 6pm).

To find out more about fishing regulations, codes of practice and information on how to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species, that can harm fisheries, visit our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish If you see fishing, netting or trapping you think is illegal call our incident hotline 0800 807060. (24 hour service). This is a Freephone number, however calls from mobile phones are likely to be charged at normal network operators' call rates.

Use this number to also report pollutions or if you see dead or distressed fish.

1.2 Rod licences You need a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence if you are aged 12 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England (except the River Tweed), Wales, and the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland.

A coarse fish, non-migratory trout and eel licence enables the holder to fish with two rods. A salmon and migratory (sea) trout licence allows one rod to be used to fish for these species.

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Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone.

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

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An annual rod licence expires on 31st March each year. Short term (one and eight day) licences can also be purchased. Senior, disabled and junior concessionary licences are available.

It is an offence to fish for freshwater fish and eels without a valid rod licence and if you are caught and prosecuted you may be fined up to £2,500.

There are four easy ways to buy your rod licence 

on-line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence;



by calling the Post Office on 0844 800 53862. (Phone lines are open from 8.30am - 8pm daily from March to September, and 8.30am - 6pm daily from October to February, Monday to Saturday);



by Direct Debit (go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence);



at any Post Office branch in England and Wales (and selected branches in Scotland).

Please note: If you are coarse fishing with three or four rods (four is the maximum allowed) then you will need to purchase a second licence.

1.3 Application These byelaws apply to anyone fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater (coarse) fish, eels, smelt and lamprey in all freshwater fisheries and to a distance of 6 nautical miles at sea. They cover all rivers, streams, drains, canals, stillwaters and coastal waters within the Environment Agency's Anglian Region.

The Region stretches from the Humber in the North to the Thames in the South and from Milton Keynes and Northampton in the West to the East Coast. Notable catchments include the rivers Great Ouse, Nene, Welland, Witham and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. Several important trout reservoirs are also located in Anglian including Grafham and Rutland.

If you would like some advice on where to go fishing, visit our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish Many private fisheries set their own rules. These rules may add to the measures provided by Environment Agency byelaws, but they cannot replace or remove them.

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are responsible for sea fisheries and can make byelaws to regulate fishing for sea fish. Eastern IFCA covers the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire, whilst Essex falls within the Kent and Essex IFCA.

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Calls to the 0844 number can cost up to 5p per minute for BT users. Calls made using other service providers or mobiles may cost more. This telesales line is operated by Post Office Ltd on our behalf.

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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

1.4 When you can fish 1.4.1

When can I fish for freshwater (coarse) fish?

The coarse fish close season on all rivers, streams and drains, most waters in the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads and some canals and stillwaters (see Table 1) is the period from 15 March to 15 June, both dates inclusive. This is a national byelaw.

Some waterways in Anglian are called canals but are actually rivers and are subject to the same close season. These are the Fossdyke Canal, the Louth Canal; the Horncastle Canal; and the Dilham and North Walsham Canal.

There is no coarse fish close season on all other canals and stillwaters, including some stillwaters in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads (see Table 2). This is a national byelaw.

1.4.2

When and where can I fish for eel?

You may fish for eel during the coarse fish close season in waters seaward of the demarcation points specified in Table 3 and in all other waters provided you do not attach a hook or other metal implement to the line. This is a regional byelaw.

1.4.3

When can I fish for trout?

The close season for brown trout and rainbow trout in rivers, and for brown trout in unenclosed stillwaters, is the period from 30 October to 31 March (both dates inclusive). This is a regional byelaw.

There is no close season for brown trout in enclosed stillwaters (enclosed stillwaters are those from, and to, which fish cannot swim) and rainbow trout in all stillwaters.

These are national byelaws.

1.4.4

When can I fish for salmon?

The close season for salmon and migratory trout (in all waters) is the period from 29 September to the last day of February, both dates inclusive. This is a regional byelaw.

The weekly close time for salmon and migratory trout (in all waters) is the period between 06.00 on Sunday to 24.00 on the following day. This is a regional byelaw.

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

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Close seasons aim to protect fish stocks from the impacts of angling during the fish breeding season.

We removed the close season for coarse fish from most stillwaters because these are usually in single ownership and the fishery owner is better placed to manage the fish stocks and to impose whatever restrictions are felt to be needed, including non-statutory close seasons.

We removed the close season for brown trout from many stillwaters and for rainbow trout from all stillwaters on the basis that these fisheries were entirely dependent on stocking and removing the close season would pose no risk to wild stocks.

1.5 How you can fish 1.5.1

What baits, lures and weights are prohibited?

You must not fish with any form of gorge bait. A gorge bait is a piece of stick/bone hidden in the bait parallel to the line. When swallowed a tug on the line causes the gorge to turn sideways in the fish's throat. This is a regional byelaw.

You must not use any form of lead weight attached to a fishing line other than those of 0.06 grams, or less, or of more than 28.35 grams. "Lead weight" does not include lead incorporated into a weighted line, swim-feeder or fishing fly or lure. This is a regional byelaw.

You may not use crayfish of any species whether alive or dead (including any part of a crayfish) when fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in any waters. This is a national byelaw.

You may not take any fish for use as live bait unless the fish are retained at and used only in the water from which they were taken or you have already obtained the Environment Agency's consent to introduce live bait at another water. This is a national byelaw.

When fishing for salmon before 16 June, you may only use artificial fly or artificial lure.

This is a national byelaw.

Some fishing practices can harm fish and other wildlife:

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

Lead weights can poison swans and other wildfowl;



Native crayfish are rare and protected. Non-native crayfish species can spread crayfish plague, which can wipe out the native species;



Moving live baits between waters can spread fish diseases and damaging non-native fish;



Some fishing baits and methods can remove the option of returning fish alive.

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

1.5.2

Can I use a landing net, keepnet, gaff or tailer?

You must not use a gaff or a tailer when fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt, lamprey or eel in any waters. This is from primary fisheries legislation.

You may use a landing net as an accessory to fishing with rod and line. If you do, it must not have knotted mesh or a mesh made from a metallic material.

You may use a keepnet to retain your catch, but it must not 

have a knotted mesh or a mesh made from a metallic material;



have any holes in the mesh larger than 25mm internal circumference;



be less than 2.0 metres in length;



have supporting rings or frames greater than 40cm apart (excluding the distance from the top frame to the first supporting ring or frame) or less than 120cm in circumference.

You may use a keepsack, but it must not 

be constructed of a material other than a soft, dark coloured, nonabrasive, water permeable fabric;



be less than 120 cm by 90 cm, if rectangular, or 150 cm by 30 cm by 40 cm if used with a frame or designed with the intention that a frame be used.

You must not keep more than one fish in a single keepsack at any time.

These are all national byelaws.

Some angling equipment used for landing fish can cause physical damage.

Most landing net and keepnets are designed with fish welfare in mind. However, some can harm fish, especially where large numbers or individually large fish are retained.

1.5.3

How many rods can I use and how can I use them?

You may use up to four rods in any waters when fishing for coarse fish or eel. Please note, if you use more than two rods, you will need an additional licence.

You may only use a single rod when fishing for salmonids in any river, stream, drain or canal.

You may use up to two rods when fishing for salmonids in all reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Please note, if you use two rods, you will need an additional licence.

When fishing with more than one rod, the total number must not exceed four. This means you cannot fish with three or four rods for coarse fish and a further one or two rods for salmonids.

When fishing with more than one rod, the distance between the butts of the end rods must not exceed three metres.

You must not leave a rod and line with its bait or hook in the water, such that you are unable to take sufficient control of the rod.

These are all national byelaws.

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

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You need to be able to exert control over all the rods you are fishing with. Fishing with too many rods, being too far away from them or not being able to take immediate control increases the risk of foul-hooking fish.

1.5.4

Catch returns

If you hold a salmon and sea trout rod fishing licence, you must send a catch return to the Environment Agency by 1 January in the following year, stating where, when and how many salmon or sea trout you caught. This is a national byelaw.

Please note, your catch return form and instructions on completing it are provided with your licence. For more information and to complete your catch return on-line, please go to http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/catchreturn Catch returns provide important information to help manage salmon and sea trout stocks.

1.6 What fish you can take 1.6.1

What salmon and sea trout can I take?

You must not remove any salmon, alive or dead, from any waters before 16 June of any year. Any salmon caught before this date must be returned to the water with least possible injury. (Please note there are restrictions on what baits you may use when fishing for salmon before 16 June - see above.) This is a national byelaw.

You may not sell, offer or expose for sale or have in possession for sale any salmon or sea trout which has been taken by rod and line. This is a national byelaw.

1.6.2

What freshwater (coarse) fish can I take?

On rivers, you may take no more than 

one pike of less than 65 cm per day;



two grayling of between 30 and 38 cm per day;



fifteen barbel, chub, common bream, common carp, crucian carp, dace, perch, pike, roach, rudd, silver bream, smelt or tench (including any hybrids of these species) of less than 20cm per day.

All lengths are measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.

These restrictions also apply on all the waters in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads that are subject to the coarse fish close season (see above).

There are no restrictions on the number of other coarse fish you may take (see below for eel and shad).

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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

On stillwaters and canals, you may only take freshwater fish with the written permission of the fishery owner or occupier. NB. Canals are defined as those canals where the coarse fish close season has been removed.

You may keep fish in a keepnet or keep sack before returning them to the water. This is a national byelaw.

1.6.3

Can I take any eel or shad?

You may not take any rod caught eel or shad from any waters, including tidal waters.

You may keep eel in a keepnet or keep sack before returning them to the water. Shad must be returned immediately. This is a national byelaw.

Unrestricted fish removal can reduce the value of the fisheries they support and can add to the pressure that some threatened species are already under.

Where specimen fish are taken to restock other fisheries, can increase the spread of fish diseases and invasive non-native fish.

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

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Table 1 - Stillwaters retaining a close season County

Water

OS grid reference

Bedfordshire

Felmersham Gravel Pits

SP991584

Houghton Regis Marl Lakes

TL008235

Fowlmere Watercress Beds

TL406454

Grafham Water

TL150680

Holme Fen

TL205895

Little Paxton Pits

TL200637

Stow-Cum-Quy Fen

TL515527

Wicken Fen

TL555700

Woodwalton Fen

TL230840

Dogsthorpe Star Pit

TF213025

Nene Washes

TL200977, TF395029

Ouse Washes

TL393747, TL571987

Didlington Park Lakes

TL777963

Dillington Carr, Gressenhall

TF971158

East Wretham Heath

TL910882

Gunton Park Lane

TG221345

Sea Mere, Hingham

TG035012

Stanford Training Area

TL870940

Thompson Water, Carr & Common

TL930955

Wretham Park Meres

TL902918

Westwick Lakes excluding Captain's Pond

TG273274

Cambridgeshire

Norfolk

Northamptonshire Higham Ferrers Gravel Pits

Suffolk

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SP945686

Pitsford Reservoir

SP780708

Twywell Gullett

SP947775

Yardley Chase

SP857540, SP841553

Benacre to Easton Bavents

TM537855

Cavenham/Icklingham Heaths

TL755733

Lackford

TL890710

Lakenheath Poors Fen

TL701827

Minsmere/Walberswick Heaths & Marshes

TM465662, TM465735

North Warren & Thorpeness Mere

TM460594

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

Sizewell Marshes

TM466638

Stallode Wash, Lakenheath

TL675853

Table 2 - Waters in the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads with no close season Water

OS grid reference

Water

OS grid reference

Aldeby Hall Pits

TM441930

Shell Club, Aldeby

TM444928

Marsh Trail Lakes, Beccles

TM429913

Farm Reservoir, Dunburgh

TM404911

Ditchingham Pit

TM335907

By Pass Pit, Bungay

TM327898

Earsham Pits

TM318900

Bungay Common Pond

TM332902

Cantley Sugar Factory Lakes Reedham Ferry Touring Campsite Pond

TG390036

Limpenhoe Fishery

TG393038

TG403014

Boundary Farm Campsite Pond, Oby

TG403149

Mill Road Fishery, Stokesby TG426108

Snakesmeadow, Winsford Hall, Stokesby

TG446120

Martham Pits

TG447195

East Ruston AC Pit

TG344272

Priors Diesel Pit, Martham

TG439191

Weavers Way Fishery, East Ruston

TG354263

Mown Fen, East Ruston

TG341278

Penneygate, Barton Turf

TG358231

New Pit, Mustard Hyrn, Martham

TG440189

Holly Farm Lakes, South Walsham

TG384134

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

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Table 3 - Anglian Demarcation Points Watercoursey

Demarcation Point

OS grid reference

Middle Level Main Drain Tidal Great Ouse

St. German’s Pumping Station

TF588143

Stowbridge Road

TF602070

Mill Basin

The Sluice

TF545110

Smeeth Lode

Pumping Station Sluice

TF575144(T)

Flood Relief Channel Nar Valley Drain

Tail Sluice

TF605173(T)

The Sluice

TF615187(T)

Nar

Tidal Sluice, King’s Lynn

TF621183(T)

Middleton Stop Drain Gaywood

Pumping Station Sluice

TF622187(T)

Mill Fleet Sluice, King’s Lynn

TF618197(T)

West Lynn Drain

The Sluice

TF612198(T)

North Lynn Drain

The Sluice

TF611215(T)

Babingley

Tidal Sluice, The Saltings

TF606239(T)

Ingol

Tidal Sluice, Wolferton Creek

TF654303(T)

Heacham

Tidal Flap Valve, Heacham Harbour

TF663368(T)

Stour (South Channel) Stour (North Channel) Stutton Brook

Judas Gap

TM080328(T)

Cattawade Barrage

TM101330(T)

Stutton Mill Tidal Sluice

TM132331(T)

Holbrook

Tidal Sluice near Lower Holbrook

TM174349(T)

Ramsey

Dock Sluice near Parkeston

TM242323(T)

Holland Brook

Holland Sluice, Holland Haven

TM219172(T)

Colne

East Mills, Colchester

TM006254(T)

Salary Brook

Tidal Sluice

TM021238(T)

Roman

Essex Water Company Dam

TL997201(T)

Tenpenny Brook

Tidal Sluice

TM082194(T)

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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

Blackwater

Beeleigh Long Weir

TL839084(T)

Pennys Brook

Osea Road Sluice

TL891073(T)

Bowstead Brook

Tidal Sluice

TL928087(T)

Virley Brook

Tidal Sluice Salcot

TL951136(T)

Chelmer

Beeleigh New Sluice

TL838083(T)

Asheldham Brook

Round Barn Dengie

TM017015

Crouch

Wickford Gauging Station

TQ748934(T)

Shotgate Brook

A129 Road Bridge

TQ775931

Rawreth Brook

Rawreth

TQ778932

Roach

B1013 Road Bridge

TQ876902

Prittle Brook

Rochford

TQ880894

Mardyke

War Department Sluice

TQ548786(T)

Chelmer/Blackwater Canal Heybridge Basin

TL872068

Winterton Beck

Winteringham Haven Sluice

SE935228(T)

West Drain

Sluice at South Ferriby

SE975211(T)

Ancholme

Sluice at South Ferriby

SE975211(T)

East Drain

Sluice at South Ferriby

SE975211(T)

Barton Haven

Barton Haven Sluice

TA028226(T)

Barrow Beck

Barrow Haven

TA064225(T)

New Holland Main Drain Goxhill Haven

New Holland Sluice

TA080243(T)

Goxhill Haven Sluice

TA120254(T)

East Halton Beck North Killingholme Drain Killingholme Marsh Drain South Killingholme Drain

East Halton Skitter Sluice North Killingholme Haven Sluice

TA145228(T) TA166201(T)

Killingholme Marsh Sluice

TA177187(T)

South Killingholme Haven Sluice

TA187172(T)

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

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Habrough Marsh Drain North Beck Drain

Habrough Marsh Drain Sluice

TA207157(T)

North Beck Sluice

TA216152(T)

Middle Drain

Middle Drain Pumping Station

TA229140(T)

Oldfleet Drain

Oldfleet Drain Sluice

TA238131(T)

Mawmbridge Drain

Mawmbridge Drain Sluice

TA246124(T)

New Cut Drain

Pyewipe Sluice

TA263109(T)

Freshney

Alexandra Dock Pumping Station

TA270096(T)

Buck Beck

Buck Beck Outfall Sluice

TA327067(T)

Louth Canal

Tetney Sluice

TA354031(T)

Old Fleet Drain

Tetney Sluice (North Coates)

TA354031(T)

Seven Towns North Grainthorpe Sluice Eau Seven Towns South Pyes Hall Sluice Eau Grayfleet Drain Saltfleet Haven Sluice

TA395007(T)

Great Eau

Great Eau Sluice

TF459933(T)

Mablethorpe Cut

Mablethorpe Sluice

TF508854(T)

Woldgrift Drain

Trusthorpe Sluice

TF514841(T)

Boygrift Drain

Huttoft Sluice and Pumping Station

TF534800(T)

Anderby Main Drain

Anderby Sluice and Pumping Station

TF546760(T)

Willoughby High Drain Ingoldmells Main Drain Steeping

Chapel Sluice and Pumping Station

TF560729(T)

Ingoldmells Point Sluice and Pumping Station Wainfleet Haven Clough Sluice

TF571684(T)

Steeping Relief Channel Cowbank Drain

Steeping Relief Channel Sluice

TF552587(T)

Pumps at Wainfleet Haven

TF553585(T)

Witham

Grand Sluice Boston

TF323445(T)

Maud Foster

Maud Foster Sluice Boston

TF336430(T)

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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

TA409006(T) TF456934(T)

TF543596(T)

South Forty Foot Drain Hobhole Drain

Black Sluice Boston

TF327428(T) TF365402(T)

Hun

Hobhole Pumping Station and Sluice Fishtoft Sluice

Burn

Near Burnham Norton

TF835439(T)

Stiffkey

Stiffkey Greens

TF988441(T)

Glaven

A149 Road Bridge (Cley next the sea)

TG043438(T)

Thorpeness Hundred Lothingland Hundred Cove Run

Sluice Cottage

TM468584(T)

Benacre Pump

TM536845(T)

B11 27 Road Bridge

TM509791(T)

Blyth

Blythburgh Bridge

TM453756

Wang

Wolsey Bridge A1095

TM472768(T)

Dunwich

Dunwich Bridge

TM474707

Minsmere

The Sluice

TM477662(T)

Alde

Near B1069, The Maltings Snape

TM390577(T)

Butley

Butley Mills

TM387516(T)

Deben

Wilford Bridge Melton

TM291502(T)

Fynn

Martlesham

TM259473(T)

Shottisham Creek

Near Shottisham

TM300431(T)

Mill

Kirton Creek

TM291415(T)

Gipping/Orwell

Velocity Control Structure

TM168434

Belstead Brook

A137 Road Bridge South of Ipswich

TM162419(T)

Bure (inc Ant and Thurne) Yare

Five Mile House

TG474101

Six Mile House

TG455034

Waveney

Seven Mile House

TG458015

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

TF721446(T)

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Mun

Mundesley Mill

TG315365

Welland

TF259242(T)

Glen

At confluence d/s of Fulney Lock and Coronation Channel Surfleet Seas End Sluice

Nene

Guyhirn Road Bridge

TF400035

Vernatt’s Drain

Vernatt’s Bridge

TF282293(T)

Risegate Eau

Risegate Outfall

TF304316(T)

Lutton Leam

Leamlands Sluice

TF486263(T)

South Holland Main Drain North Level Main Drain

Confluence with River Nene

TF477200(T)

Confluence with River Nene at Foul Anchor

TF468182(T)

Note (T) = Tidal Limit

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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

TF280293(T)

Appendix A- Relevant Fisheries Byelaws and Primary Legislation Anglian Water Authority Lead Weight Byelaws 1987 Anglian Regional Byelaws 1988 National Fisheries Byelaws 1996 National Fisheries Byelaws 1997 National Fisheries Byelaws 2001 National Salmon Byelaws 2009 National Ban on the Sale of Rod Caught Salmon and Migratory Trout Byelaw 2009 National Coarse Fish Close Season (Rod and Line) 2009 Fish Removal (by Rod and Line) Byelaws 2010 National Brown Trout Close Season (Rod and Line) 2010 Section 1, Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1975, amended by Marine & Coastal Access Act, 2009

Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region

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