Windermere, Ambleside & District
Angling Association

FISHERY RULES; GENERAL

1. All persons fishing WADAA controlled fisheries must have in their possession a current membership card or day permit. These must be produced on request to any member or authorised person. Any person unable to show proof of membership or entitlement to fish may be requested to leave the fishery and may be subject to further disciplinary or legal action. Membership cards and day permits, other than Hotel memberships are not transferable

2. All persons fishing WADAA controlled fisheries must be in possession of the appropriate Environment Agency Rod licence and must ensure they are familiar with and comply with the current Fishery Bye Laws of that Agency.

3. The Executive Committee shall have the right to close, without notice and for whatever reason, any of the Association’s waters.

4. No competitions shall be held on Association waters without the prior knowledge and consent of the Executive Committee.

5. Fishing on all WADAA controlled waters is not permitted from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise (except by prior arrangement on Cleabarrow Tarn and Atkinson’s Tarn)

6. The following are not permitted on Association waters:

Camping, fires or barbecues, radios, musical instruments, unauthorised guns or any other implement for the taking of, or injury to, wildlife; Any disturbance to stock, wildlife or nesting birds or damage to walls, fences, trees or standing crops; Wading, other than on the rivers Rothay and Brathay, Windermere, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Thirlmere. Dogs are not permitted to accompany members or day permit holders on any, or any part, of the Association fisheries.

7. Members vehicles must not be parked so as to obstruct any access or other vehicle.

8 All litter must be taken home. Any member found leaving litter on any Association water may be subject to an immediate suspension of membership.

9 All members and non fishing guests accompanying members shall keep to the banks and permitted footpaths when on Association waters. Non fishing guests of members are bound by these rules and it is understood that members accept responsibility for their guests.

10 All members are welcome to use the platforms designed for disabled anglers but must immediately vacate those pegs should they be required by a disabled angler.

11. If any member shall fail to comply with these rules or Environment Agency Fishery Bye-laws or by their direct action cause the loss of any Association fishery or facility or fail to give consideration to other anglers on Association waters that member may be suspended or expelled by the Executive Committee. Upon an offence being reported to the Executive Committee the member concerned shall be suspended from the Association whilst the Executive Committee investigates the allegation. The result of any investigation will be provided by the Executive Committee together with their ruling within fourteen days. Should a member be suspended or expelled no refund of subscription fees will be given.

12 Any Fishery Rule may be added, removed or amended by the Committee at any time subject to ratification at the following Annual General Meeting.

GAME FISHERIES. GENERAL

13. Fishing on High Newton, Ghyll Head, Kentmere Tarn, Dubbs, High Fairbanks, Simpson Ground, Moss Eccles, High Arnside and Hayeswater shall be by fly only using barbless or de-barbed hooks. Only one rod may be in use at any time. This rod shall be held at all times while the fly is in or on the water. When fishing sunken line tactics the fly must be continuously worked.

14. Fishing for game fish (trout, sea trout, salmon or charr) on the rivers Rothay and Brathay, Grasmere, Rydal Water and Thirlmere shall be by fly, lure or worm only.

15. The use of any groundbait, maggots or bubble floats when game fishing is strictly prohibited.

16. The total bag limit for trout on all Association waters (except sport fisheries) is two fish per member per day and four fish per member in any calendar week (Monday – Sunday inc). Sharing of bag limits is not permitted. Under no circumstances should trout be cleaned or gutted on any or any part of the Association’s fisheries.

17) Any member found to be offering, or to have offered, for sale any game fish from Association waters will be expelled from the Association.

18. Anglers fishing High Newton, Dubbs, and Ghyll Head must post a catch return in the boxes provided when leaving the fishery.

19. The use of float tubes is permitted only on those waters where the use of boats is currently permitted.

COARSE FISHERIES. GENERAL

20. No coarse fish may be removed from, or introduced to, any Association water other than subject to Environment Agency consent.

21. A maximum of two rods is permitted on Ratherheath Tarn, Atkinson’s Tarn, Cleabarrow Tarn or Castle Head Fishery. On the Association’s other coarse fisheries not more than three rods may be in use. Rods shall not be left unattended with a baited hook either in or out of the water. For the purpose of this rule tackle left more than ten metres from the owner is deemed to be "unattended".

22. Keep nets are not permitted on Ratherheath Tarn, Atkinson’s Tarn, Cleabarrow Tarn or Castle Head Fishery except during authorised matches.

23. Carp must be returned immediately to the water and must not be retained in keep nets or carp sacks except where permitted in official matches.

24. Pike fishing. The use of live baits is strictly prohibited on all WADAA waters. Freshwater dead baits are not permitted at any time on Thirlmere.

25. During the period 15th March -15th June inclusive the use of maggots is not permitted on Rydal Water or Grasmere. On Grasmere and Rydal during the period 15th March to 15th June the only permitted baits are fly, worm, lures and saltwater dead baits.

26 Anglers fishing specifically for carp or pike must ensure that they have adequate tackle for handling larger fish including large nets, mats and unhooking equipment.