Barford Lakes Match Fishing Rules

We have recently changed our rules and realise that our previous ones have put us in good stead over the years. With this in mind all the rules below are on a 6 month trial period. The owners or fishery manager reserve the right to amend or change a rule at any time if it is deemed to be detrimental to the fish or fishery.

If you find a grey area within our rules or are unsure of any parts - PLEASE ASK US.

It will be deemed as cheating if anglers do not keep to these rules and we will issue a 3 month ban. Clubs that do not adhere to the weighing-in policy (especially rule 3) will lose that match date in future bookings.

Please respect our fish, fishery and rules. Thank you.

Rules for Match Fishing - effective from 1st April 2006

• Manufactured Barbless hooks only - maximum size 8
• Barbless Method Feeder hook - no larger than a Mustad Long Point size 12.
• No liquidised, crushed, mashed or riddled baits - min size cubed bait is 4mm, crushed hemp is classed as groundbait.
• No Artificial baits or lure rigs.
• No boilies.
• No bloodworm or joker.
• No Groundbait between 1st April and 30th September (permitted on Railway & Willow Lakes all year).
• Groundbait allowed on all lakes from 1st October to 31st March - 1kg limit and it must be cupped in or in a feeder (no balling in). Over this period of time all permitted baits are allowed in a feeder but ensure all bait is inside the feeder.
• Paste & Hook pellets are allowed but for hook bait only not for feed/feeder (Railway & Willow included).
• No method feeders.
• No hand-lining.
• No surface floating baits or surface fishing.
• No pellet or cat/dog meat allowed in a feeder (from 1st April - 30th September).
• No Nuts and seed baits or any particles except from sweetcorn and hemp.
• Only feed pellets allowed are Barford Lakes Carp Pellet which must be purchased on site and used as a loose feed only (pellet may be dampened but not soaked so not to infringe on the groundbait rule).
• All feed baits to be used in moderation.
• No Braid.
• No fixed rigs (i.e loop or paternoster). All leads and feeders should be free running.
• No feeding or cupping with a second pole - only one pole or rod in use at any one time.
• No bubble floats.
• No Floating pole method (there should be at least 6" of line between pole tip and top of float and at least 12" of line between bottom of float and hook. Excluding when fishing within 1 metre of bankside vegetation).
• There should be a 12" minimum hook length hanging below the feeder, ledger or bottom of float.
• We have a Keepnet and Weighing in Policy - please see below.
• Please remove all litter from pegs including discarded line (we advise you cut it into small pieces).
• Ensure careful handling of fish at all times.
• If you unhook fish on the staging/ground a carp unhooking mat MUST be used.
• All vehicles & equipment are left at their owner's risk.

Additional Rules for Railway and Willow Lakes

• Groundbait allowed all year round - 1kg limit (no balling in allowed - in a feeder or cupped in only).
• No meat baits at all.
• All permitted baits allowed in a feeder - please ensure bait is inside the feeder (No method allowed).

Keepnet Policy

• Keepnets and landing nets should be of a suitable size and be carp friendly material.
• Please ensure all nets are dry before putting them into our lakes.
• Do not put rocks and stones inside keepnets.
• 50lb maximum in a keepnet. 3 nets maximum, once you have 50lb in all 3 you may alternate the fish between each net - alert the adjacent angler that you are doing so.
• Keepnets on Pleasure Lake Matches - Same as above but silver fish must be kept in an additional net.
• Movement of fish between nets is not permitted at any time on any lake.
• Colton Lake - 10 carp limit in each net.
• If an angler has over 65lb in a keepnet (and they have not filled their 3 nets as stated above) that net's weight will be knocked back to 50lb. If this action is necessary on a second occasion (i.e. on any different match) the angler's whole weight from that match will be disqualified.

Weighing In Policy

1. Carp/unhooking mats must be used. They can be borrowed from the fishery.
2. Do not tumble fish down the keepnet - it can remove scales and the protective mucus from the fish leaving it more susceptible to parasites and infection. Collapse the net and pull the 2nd/3rd ring from the bottom through the top on the keepnet.
3. Place the fish back to the water from the weigh bag/net i.e place the net/bag on the surface of the water and turn it inside out. Any club seen throwing fish back into the water from a height will lose that match date in future bookings.

The owners and bailiffs reserve the right to refuse entry or ask an angler to leave due to any violation of the land, lakes or rules. They also reserve the right to change a venue at short notice due to any unforeseen circumstances.

Please note – First Aid is only available at the main Barford Lakes site (contact Sarah on 01603 759624 for help if needed). Match organisers have responsibility for organising first aid provision at other venues.