Having trouble viewing this site? Try updating your browser to the latest version.
Site Rules
-
- Fisheries Rules for 2025/26 Season.
FISH CARE AND WELLBEING IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY, ALONG WITH PROTECTING THE FISHERIESAND ULTIMATELY YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE COMPLEX.
SO DON'T FEEL AGGRIEVED IF THE FISHERIES STAFF ASK TO SEE YOUR PERMIT OR INSPECT YOUR TACKLE MORE THAN ONCE A SEASON; THEY ARE JUST DOING THIER JOB.
- RULES OF THE SITE
1/ Access gate to be closed and locked at all times.
2/ No fires to be lit.
3/ No litter to be left. All litter in and around your swim is your responsibility.
4/ Permits to be carried at all times and offered for inspection on any request.
5/ Do not wander beyond designated fishing areas.
6/ Please keep noise and light to a minimum and have regard for other anglers.
7/ All juniors to be accompanied by an adult fishing in the next swim.
8/ Officially appointed bailiffs have the authority to suspend, expel or refuse admission to any person whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the interest of the fishery. Anglers luggage, equipment and vehicles maybe inspected at anytime whilst on site.
9/ Anglers fishing do so on the understanding that Middleton Aggregates Ltd and Gayton Road Fisheries accept no liability whatsoever for loss of life, damage, injury or loss to persons or property whilst on the site.
-
- RULES OF THE COARSE FISHERY
1/ Permits, Vehicle permits and ID to be displayed or carried at all times when on the Nar Valley Fisheries and Middleton Aggregates site. To be offered for inspection on any request.
-
2/ Barbless hooks only to be used / carried at all times.
Only manufactured barbless hooks are permitted for use and allowed on site. Anyone found in possession of a hook (other than a treble hook for Pike fishing) with any trace of a barb will be deemed to be acting with intent, resulting in immediate exclusion from the fishery.
-
3/ Fish friendly rigs only.
Barbless hooks only. No bent hooks.
No fixed bolt rigs or permanent fixed leads / rigs (all leads, beads, etc must be releasable in case of line breakage).
Safezone style leaders and tubing can be used.
No Braided mainline or shock leaders except on marker and spod rods (See Pike fishing rules for exception).
Rigs must be as safe as possible for the fish and other wildlife.
No abrasive or sharp materials (other than hook) may be used as any part of the terminal tackle or hook links within 2 metres of the hook.
Leads that are not released if the line should break are not permitted. Other rigs may be reviewed if they are seen to damage stock and / or wildlife.
End tackle that allows the fish to free itself if a breakage occurs is compulsory.
Only a maximum of 1.5 metre (5’) of non abrasive material may be used as a leader.
-
4/ A minimum line breaking strain of 15lb must be used when fishing with rods of 2.5lb test curve or more. A minimum diameter of 0.33mm measured with a micrometer is required to adhere to this rule.
-
5/ Unhooking mats with sides must be used at all times and be able to retain the fish while unhooking, etc.
Treat ALL fish that have been caught, with the utmost care.
All fish caught to be treated with Carp Klinic (or other proprietary brand) on hook-hold and any other damaged areas.
We feel clarity is required on acceptable unhooking mats. Those fishing for Carp, Pike and Catfish (Larger species) must have suitable unhooking facilities to retain fish of that calibre. All mats must have side walls and / or fastened cover to stop the fish slipping out while unooking etc.
Those fishing for smaller species Roach, Rudd, Bream, Tench, etcmust also have mats with sides / or fastened cover suitably sized for your target species. The range of smaller, suitably sized, species mat with sides can be purchased from £20 upwards.
-
6/ Keepnets are permitted. Fish may only be retained for a maximum of 2 hours. Absolutely No Carp, Pike or Wels Catfish to be retained.
No fish may be brought to or removed from the fishery, or moved from one part of the fishery to another.
-
7/ Access gate to be closed and locked at all times. The gate at Pentney is the only to access the fisheries.
-
8/ Fishing from permanent swims only
Applies to all lakes except Narside.
Fenn Lake and Lake Geneva. Maps are available setting swim limits and maximum distances to fish in each area. Fishing beyond these limits will result in expulsion from the fishery. No excuses. On non-mapped lakes. When two anglers are fishing opposite each other they may only fish halfway across the lake.
-
9/ Long Stay Anglers. The same swim can only be fished for a maximum of 7 consecutive nights by the same angler, if 7 nights are fished that angler may not return to that swim for 14 consecutive nights
A swim occupied for 3 nights or more require the angler to have 3 nights or more away up to 6 nights. Eg. 4 on – 4 off, 5 on – 5 off, 6 on – 6 off). (Double swims are classed as the same swim for this rule, disabled, humps, No.1, North point). 7 nights in a swim and you keep away from that swim for a minimum of 14 nights. This is to help stop the practise of swim swapping and areas being sewn up by groups who have the time to fish whenever they want. We will not tolerate blatant swim hogging anymore.
-
10/ A maximum of two rods may be used on Lakes 1 to 4, a maximum of three rods may be used on Lakes 5 & 6, which at no time should be left unattended.
Rods must not be left unattended. Leave your swim area and you must reel in.
Anglers not present in their swim and leaving rods unattended whilst fishing are committing an offence under EA National Bylaw 10 Phase 2.
4 hours maximum away from swim, longer than this requires equipment and tackle to removed from the swim.
-
11/ No sleeping in vehicles - thisapplies to the entire site except for the first 5 swims on the causeway where the vehicle can be parked in the same position as a bivvy on the causeway on solid level ground, with the following rules in place: Only allowed from 1st October to 28th February and during the causeway closure period. Only from Sunday night to Thursday night. Maximum stay is 20 hours. The vehicle must be parked fully on the roadway within the bund line. A non-slip mat must be placed below the vehicle exit. Rods must be placed within 3 metres of the vehicle and on the same level and not down the step or steps.
-
12/ No fires to be lit. Barbeques are permitted and must be at least 300mm above the ground.
-
13/ No litter to be left. All litter in and around your swim is your responsibility. This includes cigarette ends.
-
14/ Baitboats or other remote controlled equipment are not permitted to be used or even allowed on site.
-
15/ Do not wander beyond designated fishing areas.
-
16/ Please keep noise and light to a minimum and have regard for other anglers on the complex.
-
17/ All junior permit holders to be accompanied by an adult member fishing in the next swim. Junior date of birth confirmation may be requested at any time.
-
18/ Officially appointed bailiffs have the authority to suspend, expel or refuse admission to any person whose conduct is deemed detrimental to the interest of the fishery. Angler's luggage, equipment and vehicles may be inspected at any time whilst on site.
-
19/ Anglers fishing do so on the understanding that Middleton Aggregates Ltd and Gayton Road Fisheries accept no liability whatsoever for loss of life, damage, injury or loss to persons or property whilst on site.
No wading to bait up or cast. No bathing or swimming in the lakes.
Excessive drinking leading to unruly or abusive behaviour towards fishery officials or others around the lake will NOT be tolerated. Although alcohol is permitted, please drink responsibly being considerate of your safety and that of the fish; respect other anglers right to peace and quiet.
No guns or other weapons (such as slingshots except for projecting bait) may be carried or used at any time.
-
20/ The use of the site boat is restricted to authorised keyholders only.
-
21/ No feeding the wildlife. Do not feed the birds and animals, leave bait or food in and around your swim, this encourages the unwanted attention of Swans, ducks, seagulls and rats who then get caught in or damage your equipment and fishing tackle or you. Weils disease is a killer!
-
Dogs must be kept on a lead and under control at all times. Owners are required toclean up after their dogs.
The practice of retaining a swim by leaving tackle, bivvies or any other equipment unattended is not permitted.
Bivvies are NOT allowed to block paths as access is required across the fishery at all time.
Time-sharing of a swim (rotating occupancy) between members is not acceptable.
-
Fishing the lakes will be permitted from 1st June to 31st March.
Fishing the River Nar will be permitted from 16th June to 14th March.
-
Day members :- Access to Lake Geneva will be from one hour after dawn to one hour before dusk during BST (British Summer Time).
Site access will be from dawn to dusk for all lakes except Lake Geneva as above.
Premium Night Permit :- Night fishing permitted on all Lakes including Lake Geneva
Standard Night Permit :- Night fishing permitted on all Lakes except Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva can be fished from 1st October to 28th February only.
-
- PIKE FISHING RULES
-
Pike fishing is to be carried out from 1st October to 31st March only as long as water temp is 13 degrees or below. A notice will state when Pike fishing can commence.
No rods to be unattended or spread out in different swims
All rods to be set no more than 3 metres apart (Rod licence bylaw).
Three rods may be used on the larger lakes, two rods only on the 4 smaller lakes.
Effective bite indication registering both runs and drop back bites must be used at all times. Runs must be struck as soon as possible.
Wire traces must always be used. Minimum 450mm (18") of 20lb BS wire.
Treble hooks must be barbless or semi-barbed for bait fishing. (Semi-barbless means two barbless with a bait holding hook only).
No more than two hooks on each trace.
All spinning / lure fishing must be carried out with barbless hooks only
Braided main line may be used when directly attached to a minimum 12" wire trace as part of the rig only.
Adequate sized landing nets must be carried and used.
Gags and Gaffs are prohibited. Forceps and wire cutters must be carried at all times
-
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE FORFEITURE OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP TICKET WITHOUT REFUND.
ALL ANGLERS MUST READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FISHERY RULES, BEFORE FISHING THE LAKES.
NO EXCUSE WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR NOT UNDERSTANDING THE RULES.
ANY QUESTION REGARDING THESE RULES CAN BE ANSWERED BY THE FISHERY MANAGER OR APPOINTED BAILIFFS.
Guest permits - Available to members from 1st July to 31st October for all lakes except Lake Geneva.
Available for all lakes from 1st November to 28th February.
-
- Nar Valley Fisheries Etiquette guidelines
-
Recognised double swims – One side or other must be made available to any angler wishing to fish there if only one angler is already present.
-
Disturbing the water - Anglers arriving to fish before 8am will refrain from repeatedly casting spods, fishfinders, markers, etc until after 8am when fishing within 3 swims of another angler on all lakes except Lake Geneva, where only 2 swims or 100 metres is required. Therefore, only baited rods may be cast before 8am on the morning of arrival to a swim.
-
Rule 11 (no sleeping in vehicles) – this applies to the entire site except for the first 5 swims on the causeway where the vehicle can be parked in the same position as a bivvy on the causeway on solid level ground, with the following rules in place:
• Only from 1st October to 28th February and during the causeway closure period
• Only from Sunday night to Thursday night
• Maximum stay is 20 hours
• The vehicle must be parked fully on the roadway within the bund line.
• A non-slip mat must be placed below the vehicle exit.
• Rods must be placed within 3 metres of the vehicle and on the same level and not down the step or steps.
• Before 1st October and after 28th February, Rule 11 also applies to the first 5 swims on the causeway.
-
- Causeway Closures 2022
-
CAUSEWAY CLOSURES
During the dig period the causeway will be closed Monday to Friday from 6am to 6pm.
Fishing from the causeway will be from 6pm to 6am Monday to Thursday, and Friday will be from 6pm to Monday 6am.
These times are set, so anyone found on the causeway during the defined working times will be asked to leave the fishery.
No excuses accepted.
Middleton Aggregates staff do not have the authority to allow fishing on the causeway early.
-
Should you require any further clarification please contact Chris Newell - Fisheries manager
Nar Valley Fisheries Manager
07900 285313