Fishery rules
Fish well. Care for the water and the fish in it.
Please read the rules before you fish. They keep the fish healthy and the fishery fair for everyone.
General fishing rules
- No barbecues or fires allowed on site. Only camping stoves.
- No dogs allowed on the premises whatsoever.
- No children under 16 unless accompanied by an adult.
- Barbless, single hooks only.
- Each angler must have a suitable landing net for all catches.
- Unhooking mat compulsory.
- No braided lines to be used. No lure fishing.
- No keepnets, unless fishing in an official match.
- No more than two rods per person.
- A current rod licence must be in force and produced upon request.
- Do not fish over or through the reeds and plant life.
- Fish only from the designated swims.
- Do not use multiple swims unless you vacate the previous swim, taking all your tackle with you.
- Your ticket allows you to use the whole site, with the exception of reserved swims.
- All vehicles, including push bikes, are to be parked in designated car parks only and are not to venture on to any other part of the site.
- Radios, personal stereos and the like are not permitted unless used with headphones, and must not be heard by the next swim.
- No cutting or damaging trees, bushes, reeds or any other plant growth.
- All fish caught on this lake to be returned as soon as possible to the spot they were landed.
- No peanuts, tiger nuts or bloodworm jokers.
- No litter or waste tackle to be left on the banks. Please take your litter home with you.
- No wading.
- Boilies only to be used on the hook, not to be loose fed. Only non-biodegradable baits allowed.
- Hours of fishing are 6am until 6pm, unless a night ticket is obtained.
- Please do not climb the banks surrounding the north-west side of Finch's main lake.
- Finch Farm accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to fishing tackle, cars, persons or any other property, however caused.
- Spectators by prior agreement only, one per angler. Guest tickets cost £5 for day fishing, £10 for night fishing.
- We reserve the right to add or amend the rules as a situation arises.
Cat Lake rules
Cat Lake holds our specimen catfish, so it carries its own tackle rules on top of the general rules above.
- Minimum 3.5lb test curve rods.
- Minimum 25lb line.
- Minimum 42-inch landing net.
- Single barbless hooks only.
- No live baiting, spinning, or lure fishing.
- Braided hook links only — no braid mainline.
Pike fishing
Before fishing, report to Lech or the office.
- Pike season starts 1st October and ends 15th March.
- Only dead bait and spinners can be used. No live bait to be used whatsoever.
- Traces to be made of nylon-covered wire or stainless steel (e.g. 7-strand wire trace), handmade to a minimum of 24 inches (60cm) and not less than 25lb breaking strain.
Kit you must have
Every pike angler must carry:
- A large unhooking mat.
- A landing net with arms no shorter than 36 inches.
- 12-inch artery forceps and a pair of side cutters able to cut problem hooks caught in the pike's tissue or gill rakers.
- An adequate carp/pike weighing sling.
- A sensitive, effective bite-detection system that shows drop-back bites as well as runs.
- Barbless treble hooks only, size 10 to 4.
- No plugs; only spinners.
- A main line no less than 15lb breaking strain.
Rules are subject to change if abused. Dead bait is available on site; ask Lech.
Ready when you are
Bring rods, boots, and a flask.
Day tickets are on the bank. For night sessions and open matches, drop us a line first.
Independent reviews
Verified angler reviews
Best-kept small fishery I've been on this side of the Thames. Fish looked after, and it shows.
Took my lad for his first proper session. Landed a low-double carp off peg 8. Made his year.
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