Fishery Rules

The fishery has to have rules to ensure that the environment is protected, members, fish and all wildlife are safe and that no compromising behaviour takes place to spoil the enjoyment of others.

RULES – BAINTON FISHERIES revised 2024.

  1. The use of keepnets is banned for the retention of Carp, Catfish, Pike, Tench and Bream.
  2. The use of peanuts is not permitted.
  3. Live bait fishing is only permitted with fish caught on site or with trout. No fish to be transferred in either direction across Maxey Cut.
  4. No fish to be moved (except live bait rule 3) without the explicit permission of the owner, unsanctioned moving of fish will result in a permament ban from the fishery.
  5. Multi hooked baiting rigs (excluding pike fishing) are not permitted.
  6. All pike anglers must be in possession of two pairs of forceps, one of which must be at least 10″ in length. Pike hooks must be semi-barbless and wire traces must be used at all times with non lure-fishing traces being at least 18 inches in length.
  7. Fishing line must be a minimum of 15lbs breaking strain when Carp/Tench/Bream/Catfish/Pike Fishing and braid with an equivalent diameter to 15lb mono e.g. 0.35mm
  8. All anglers who have the potential to catch Carp/Tench/Bream/Catfish/Pike should be in pocession of a 42inch landing net, large weigh slings, unhooking cradles/cribs and fish care liquid treatment (e.g. Propolis).
  9. All rubbish is to be taken home, this includes human waste and cigarette butts; any littering will result in an immediate ban without refund of membership.
  10. No lighting of fires
  11. BBQs are permitted however ensure that disposable BBQs are not on the ground direct and no dumping of spent charcoal at the fishery this will be considered littering.
  12. No loud playing of radios.
  13. All anglers must be in possession of an Environment Agency Rod License(s).
  14. Up to 4 rods are permitted with the appropriate Rod Licenses.
  15. When more than one rod is used in pike fishing it must be accompanied by an audible bite alarm, to avoid deep hooking of pike.
  16. In the interest of safety and public liability risk, no wading above the knee.
  17. Fishery boats can be used for fish welfare only and with prior agreement from the fishery owner.
  18. Bait boats are permitted but they must be used without intruding upon other anglers, nor introducing risk of loss of fish by proximity to snags.  Maximum range 120m on big pit.  On all lakes, If you can’t cast to it you cannot bait boat to it.
  19. Dogs are allowed on the fishery but must not be allowed to bother other anglers, wildlife or enter the water.
  20. Cars are permitted on site but must be parked with consideration to other anglers and plant life.
  21. All anglers must immediately re-lock the entrance gate on the last link of the chain with the padlock provided. It is in your interest to ensure that the site is kept secure at all times.
  22. All members are automatically bailiffs and should ensure that all other members abide by these rules and challenge people who are unknown to them, checking their membership.
  23. All members must carry their Membership Card at all times and display so that it is visable to bailiffs on dash board or car window.
  24. Site access for Day fishing is permitted from Dawn to Dusk which is defined as Civil twilight begins (Dawn) and Civil twilight end (dusk). This can be checked at https://www.thetimeandplace.info/uk/helpston-city-of-peterborough
  25. Members with Day permits for fishing must leave the fishery at night.
  26. Night fishing is only permitted with an appropriate Night Fishing permit.
  27. The maximum stay at the fishery is 7 days with no return for 24 hours by the same angler.
  28. Anglers should not fish with rods/poles over 13 feet in length within 30 metres of Electricity cables or Pylons.
  29. There is no close season. However a distance of 50 metres should be kept from nesting birds during the spring.
  30. An angler is permitted to leave the site for up to 3 hours and not forfeit their swim, provided their swim is marked with the majority of their tackle e.g. Bivvy, chair. All equipment is left at anglers risk.
  31. Day tickets will not be issued. This fishery is season members only.  Members can however arrange a guest ticket as a taster session for a nominal fee of £5.00, they must accompany that member and restricted to a dawn til dusk ticket only.
  32. There is a strict speed limit of 10 mph on the site.
  33. Swim clearance must be restricted to cutting stems of no more than an inch in thickness without authorisation of the bailiff or fishery owner.
  34. The Pike fishing season with bait is restricted to 1st November to 14th March.  Lure fishing is permitted outside of this time.
  35. Members are responsible for guests when on site and should accompany them on and off site. A note should be displayed on guest vehicle dashboards indicating the members name and membership ID.
  36. The good practice guidelines to handling large fish must be adhered to by all members.
  37. The Environment Agency Byelaw that “Any person who leaves a rod and line with bait and hook in the water unattended or so that the person shall be unable at any time exercise sufficient control over said rod and line shall be guilty of an offence” will be enforced on the fishery.
  38. All Anglers should attempt to minimise the disturbance to other anglers with vehicles with specific reference to boot, door slamming and headlights.
  39. There is a baited rod limit on the New Pit of three rods and only designated swims can be fished from, on this Pit, casting only into designated areas. This creates areas of sanctuary in the pit which bait boats should not be used to circumvent.
  40. Anglers may only fish one lake and one swim at a time.
  41. The North Bank of the L Shape where there is only pedestrian access can only be fished if swims on the South Bank or the L Shape are free, which take priority use.  Swims must be vacated on the North Bank upon arrival of anglers on the South Bank.
  42. Unapproved direct reference to Bainton Fisheries in publicity material generated by anglers should only refer to the complex as a “Cambridgeshire Gravel Pit”.
  43. The use of drones by members is not permitted.

Good practice guide to handling large fish

Preparation

Before fishing, familiarise yourself with the swim and think about how you will be able to cast and play fish without snagging on tress and bushes. If minor trimming of vegetation is required then it’s better to do so rather than tangle fishing line in a bush or a tree. If you are planning to night fish, note any parts of the swim that could potentially snag a net or damage a fish in a net.

Landing

Once a fish is safely in a landing net ensure it is at the bottom of the net and not “hung up”, check the line and leaders are clear of the fish, paying attention to the gills and fins. Carelessness with this check can result in split fins and dames to gills. Do ensure that any nets with holes are mended to avoid fins becoming trapped in holds. If you do not plan to weigh or photograph the fish, if possible, unhook the fish in the net. To ease moving the fish ionto the bank you may have to cut or unclip the hook length to avoid having mainline and a rod on the bank. A pair of small wire cutters are also handy for cutting away hooks to help removal.

Unhooking

Place the fish on a wet large unhooking mat that will retain the fish to prevent it from struggling. Cover the eyes to calm the fish down. Never rip hooks out, take your time, keep the fish wet, if you have retaining flaps on your unhooking mat, use them and cover the fish’s eyes. Cool your hands in the lake water as they will feel hot to a fish, especially when holding for photos.

Weighing

When moving fish into a wet sling ensure that the fins are always flat to it’s body.

Retaining

Only sack fish for short periods and watch over them in the sack until the fish calms down. Ensure that cords are long enough to ensure the fish is in deep sheltered water and can be reached for retrieval, it is possible to mark the sack or cord with a marker float just in case the cord comes loose and the sack and fish drift off.

Returning

Before returning a fish check it over, removing obvious parasites and treat fish if required with small amounts or oral gel antiseptics. While transferring fish into slings and sacks, put the fish head first into the apparatus, never pull it backwards as this will bend fins. When returning a fish, ensure the fish is kept upright until they recover, become aleart and swim off.

Waders, especially chesties are ideal and useful for those returner photo shots but do not enter past your knees.

Bainton Fisheries Disciplinary Tariff

Bainton Fisheries has a set of rules that are reviewed annually by the membership.  To ensure consistent enforcement of these rules for the benefit of the fishery it has become necessary to introduce a disciplinary tariff, which members should be aware of and that the owner and bailiff will consistently apply.  Please remember rules are not to not designed to be broken, they are developed to ensure the fishery is a safe and enjoyable place for all.  Enjoy the fishery within the rules and there will never be a need to apply any disciplinary tariff to a member.

Key Principles:-

Tariff used should be based on witnessed or evidenced behaviour by bailiff/owner.

Initial Tariff should be based on an assessment of intent, i.e. genuine mistake or deliberate rule breaking.

Tariff is cumulative; a repeat offence of any rule break will result in a higher tariff.

Tariff is cumulative across rules, not separate for each rule.

Fishery owner will postpone or terminate membership and will formally write to member.

Any warnings/membership termination will be given as reference by owner if requested by other fisheries.

Allegations made by other anglers but un-witnessed or evidenced by bailiff/owner will be subject to an evidential investigation by owner to be fair to all parties.

Any warnings given by bailiff to be notified to owner to update records on fishery database.

Bainton will operate three strikes and out policy. Therefore no more than two warning should be given by bailiff/owner within 12 months before consideration by owner for termination/suspension of membership for a third offence.

Clear reckless behaviour endangering life of people, causing deliberate harm, cruelty to animals & fish, serious rule breaking such as theft, illegal activity or aggressive/aggravated behaviour will result in an immediate suspension with referral for membership termination to the owner.

Bailiff warnings and tariff within principle 1 and 2 are without appeal from member to owner.

Key to be recovered on third strike offences.

Tariff issued in first two strikes will be wiped from the slate after 1 year. E.g. 1 month ban served two years ago would probably result in subsequent 1 month ban, not 3 or 12 months.

Rule Summary.

Rule Summary

Bailiff Tariff Available – Initial two strikes.

Owner Additional Tariff Available.  Third Strike.

1.         Keepnets

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

2.         Peanuts

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

3.         Livebaits

3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

4.         Fish movement

Permanent Ban

Permanent Ban

5.         Multi Hook RIgs

3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

6.         Pike Tackle

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

7.         Line

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

8.         Tackle

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

9.         Rubbish

Permanent Ban

Permanent Ban

10.       Fires

3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

11.       BBQ

3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

12.       Radios

3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

13.       EA license

Enforced by EA.

Enforced by EA.

14.       Max 4 Rods

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

15.     Alarm for 2nd+ pike rod

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

16.     Wading

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

17.     Boats

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

18.     Baitboats

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

19.     Nuisance Dogs

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

20.     Inconsiderate Parking

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

21.     Relocking gate

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

22.     Members bailiffing

Not enforced – requested by fishery.

Not enforced – requested by fishery.

23.     Carrying Permit

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

24.     Day Fishing time

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

25.     Day fishing leaving

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

26.     Night Fishing

3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

27.     7 day swim limit

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

28.     Max 13ft rod within 30m of pylons/cables

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

29.     50m nesting birds

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

30.     3 hours

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

31.     Guest Ticket

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

32.     10 mph

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

33.     Swim clearance 1” stem thickness.

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

34.     Pike Season / lures

1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

35.     Members responsible for guests and escort on and off site.

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

36.     Use good practice guidelines

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

37.     EA byelaw rods unattended.  10m limit on carp alarmed rods for wandering off, rods within 10’ of each other and no trees between rods.

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

38.     Minimal car disturbance.

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

39.     3 rods on new pit, cast into designated areas and no bait boating into sanctuary areas.

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

40.     Fish one lake only.

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

41.     L Shape North Bank

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban

42.     No unapproved publicity directly referring to Bainton.

Verbal, 1m,3m, until 15th June

1 year Ban, Permanent Ban


Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time