Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region October 2012
Title here in 8pt Arial (change text colour to black)
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We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment and make it a better place for people and wildlife. We operate at the place where environmental change has its greatest impact on people’s lives. We reduce the risks to people and properties from flooding; make sure there is enough water for people and wildlife; protect and improve air, land and water quality and apply the environmental standards within which industry can operate. Acting to reduce climate change and helping people and wildlife adapt to its consequences are at the heart of all that we do. We cannot do this alone. We work closely with a wide range of partners including government, business, local authorities, other agencies, civil society groups and the communities we serve.
Published by: Environment Agency Horizon house, Deanery Road Bristol BS1 5AH Email: enquiries@environmentagency.gov.uk www.environment-agency.gov.uk Š Environment Agency 2012 All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency.
Further copies of this report are available from our publications catalogue: http://publications.environmentagency.gov.uk or our National Customer Contact Centre: T: 03708 506506 Email: enquiries@environmentagency.gov.uk.
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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
Contents 1.1
Introduction
1
1.2
Rod licence
1
1.3
Application
2
1.4 1.5
When you can fish How you can fish
3 4
1.6
What fish you can take
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Environment Agency Rod Licence Byelaws - Anglian Region
1.1 Introduction Rod fishing byelaws are statutory rules and regulations put in place by the Environment Agency. They protect migratory and freshwater fish stocks, and the fisheries they support from damaging fishing practices. Rod fishing byelaws set out when you can fish (open and close seasons); where you can fish; how you can fish; and what fish you can take. Anyone fishing with rod and line in England and Wales must hold a rod fishing licence (see below) and comply with the byelaws that cover the waters where they are fishing. Some fisheries byelaws are local, covering specific waters; others apply to the whole of Anglian Region; and some national byelaws cover all waters in England and Wales. We have identified which are national and regional byelaws for your convenience. Anyone failing to comply with these byelaws could face prosecution and receive a fine of up to ÂŁ50,000. This document summarises the rod fishing byelaws that cover waters in the Environment Agency's Anglian Region (other byelaws cover fishing by nets, traps and other methods). It is not a legal interpretation, but provides a layman's guide. Appendix A provides a list of all byelaws applicable to rod fishing. A full copy of the byelaws can be obtained from the Environment Agency by calling 03708 506 5061 (Mon-Fri, 8am - 6pm). To find out more about fishing regulations, codes of practice and information on how to stop the spread of invasive aquatic species, that can harm fisheries, visit our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish If you see fishing, netting or trapping you think is illegal call our incident hotline 0800 807060. (24 hour service). This is a Freephone number, however calls from mobile phones are likely to be charged at normal network operators' call rates. Use this number to also report pollutions or if you see dead or distressed fish.
1.2 Rod licences You need a valid Environment Agency Rod Licence if you are aged 12 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England (except the River Tweed), Wales, and the Border Esk and its tributaries in Scotland. A coarse fish, non-migratory trout and eel licence enables the holder to fish with two rods. A salmon and migratory (sea) trout licence allows one rod to be used to fish for these species.
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Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and must count towards any inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. These rules apply to calls from any type of line including mobile, BT, other fixed line or payphone. Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
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An annual rod licence expires on 31st March each year. Short term (one and eight day) licences can also be purchased. Senior, disabled and junior concessionary licences are available. It is an offence to fish for freshwater fish and eels without a valid rod licence and if you are caught and prosecuted you may be fined up to £2,500. There are four easy ways to buy your rod licence
on-line at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence;
by calling the Post Office on 0844 800 53862. (Phone lines are open from 8.30am - 8pm daily from March to September, and 8.30am - 6pm daily from October to February, Monday to Saturday);
by Direct Debit (go to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence);
at any Post Office branch in England and Wales (and selected branches in Scotland).
Please note: If you are coarse fishing with three or four rods (four is the maximum allowed) then you will need to purchase a second licence.
1.3 Application These byelaws apply to anyone fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater (coarse) fish, eels, smelt and lamprey in all freshwater fisheries and to a distance of 6 nautical miles at sea. They cover all rivers, streams, drains, canals, stillwaters and coastal waters within the Environment Agency's Anglian Region. The Region stretches from the Humber in the North to the Thames in the South and from Milton Keynes and Northampton in the West to the East Coast. Notable catchments include the rivers Great Ouse, Nene, Welland, Witham and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads. Several important trout reservoirs are also located in Anglian including Grafham and Rutland. If you would like some advice on where to go fishing, visit our website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish Many private fisheries set their own rules. These rules may add to the measures provided by Environment Agency byelaws, but they cannot replace or remove them. Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCAs) are responsible for sea fisheries and can make byelaws to regulate fishing for sea fish. Eastern IFCA covers the counties of Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire, whilst Essex falls within the Kent and Essex IFCA.
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Calls to the 0844 number can cost up to 5p per minute for BT users. Calls made using other service providers or mobiles may cost more. This telesales line is operated by Post Office Ltd on our behalf.
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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
1.4 When you can fish 1.4.1
When can I fish for freshwater (coarse) fish?
The coarse fish close season on all rivers, streams and drains, most waters in the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads and some canals and stillwaters (see Table 1) is the period from 15 March to 15 June, both dates inclusive. This is a national byelaw. Some waterways in Anglian are called canals but are actually rivers and are subject to the same close season. These are the Fossdyke Canal, the Louth Canal; the Horncastle Canal; and the Dilham and North Walsham Canal. There is no coarse fish close season on all other canals and stillwaters, including some stillwaters in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads (see Table 2). This is a national byelaw.
1.4.2
When and where can I fish for eel?
You may fish for eel during the coarse fish close season in waters seaward of the demarcation points specified in Table 3 and in all other waters provided you do not attach a hook or other metal implement to the line. This is a regional byelaw.
1.4.3
When can I fish for trout?
The close season for brown trout and rainbow trout in rivers, and for brown trout in unenclosed stillwaters, is the period from 30 October to 31 March (both dates inclusive). This is a regional byelaw. There is no close season for brown trout in enclosed stillwaters (enclosed stillwaters are those from, and to, which fish cannot swim) and rainbow trout in all stillwaters. These are national byelaws.
1.4.4
When can I fish for salmon?
The close season for salmon and migratory trout (in all waters) is the period from 29 September to the last day of February, both dates inclusive. This is a regional byelaw. The weekly close time for salmon and migratory trout (in all waters) is the period between 06.00 on Sunday to 24.00 on the following day. This is a regional byelaw.
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
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Close seasons aim to protect fish stocks from the impacts of angling during the fish breeding season. We removed the close season for coarse fish from most stillwaters because these are usually in single ownership and the fishery owner is better placed to manage the fish stocks and to impose whatever restrictions are felt to be needed, including non-statutory close seasons. We removed the close season for brown trout from many stillwaters and for rainbow trout from all stillwaters on the basis that these fisheries were entirely dependent on stocking and removing the close season would pose no risk to wild stocks.
1.5 How you can fish 1.5.1
What baits, lures and weights are prohibited?
You must not fish with any form of gorge bait. A gorge bait is a piece of stick/bone hidden in the bait parallel to the line. When swallowed a tug on the line causes the gorge to turn sideways in the fish's throat. This is a regional byelaw. You must not use any form of lead weight attached to a fishing line other than those of 0.06 grams, or less, or of more than 28.35 grams. "Lead weight" does not include lead incorporated into a weighted line, swim-feeder or fishing fly or lure. This is a regional byelaw. You may not use crayfish of any species whether alive or dead (including any part of a crayfish) when fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in any waters. This is a national byelaw. You may not take any fish for use as live bait unless the fish are retained at and used only in the water from which they were taken or you have already obtained the Environment Agency's consent to introduce live bait at another water. This is a national byelaw. When fishing for salmon before 16 June, you may only use artificial fly or artificial lure. This is a national byelaw.
Some fishing practices can harm fish and other wildlife:
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Lead weights can poison swans and other wildfowl;
Native crayfish are rare and protected. Non-native crayfish species can spread crayfish plague, which can wipe out the native species;
Moving live baits between waters can spread fish diseases and damaging non-native fish;
Some fishing baits and methods can remove the option of returning fish alive.
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
1.5.2
Can I use a landing net, keepnet, gaff or tailer?
You must not use a gaff or a tailer when fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt, lamprey or eel in any waters. This is from primary fisheries legislation. You may use a landing net as an accessory to fishing with rod and line. If you do, it must not have knotted mesh or a mesh made from a metallic material. You may use a keepnet to retain your catch, but it must not
have a knotted mesh or a mesh made from a metallic material;
have any holes in the mesh larger than 25mm internal circumference;
be less than 2.0 metres in length;
have supporting rings or frames greater than 40cm apart (excluding the distance from the top frame to the first supporting ring or frame) or less than 120cm in circumference.
You may use a keepsack, but it must not
be constructed of a material other than a soft, dark coloured, nonabrasive, water permeable fabric;
be less than 120 cm by 90 cm, if rectangular, or 150 cm by 30 cm by 40 cm if used with a frame or designed with the intention that a frame be used.
You must not keep more than one fish in a single keepsack at any time. These are all national byelaws. Some angling equipment used for landing fish can cause physical damage. Most landing net and keepnets are designed with fish welfare in mind. However, some can harm fish, especially where large numbers or individually large fish are retained.
1.5.3
How many rods can I use and how can I use them?
You may use up to four rods in any waters when fishing for coarse fish or eel. Please note, if you use more than two rods, you will need an additional licence. You may only use a single rod when fishing for salmonids in any river, stream, drain or canal. You may use up to two rods when fishing for salmonids in all reservoirs, lakes and ponds. Please note, if you use two rods, you will need an additional licence. When fishing with more than one rod, the total number must not exceed four. This means you cannot fish with three or four rods for coarse fish and a further one or two rods for salmonids. When fishing with more than one rod, the distance between the butts of the end rods must not exceed three metres. You must not leave a rod and line with its bait or hook in the water, such that you are unable to take sufficient control of the rod. These are all national byelaws.
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
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You need to be able to exert control over all the rods you are fishing with. Fishing with too many rods, being too far away from them or not being able to take immediate control increases the risk of foul-hooking fish.
1.5.4
Catch returns
If you hold a salmon and sea trout rod fishing licence, you must send a catch return to the Environment Agency by 1 January in the following year, stating where, when and how many salmon or sea trout you caught. This is a national byelaw. Please note, your catch return form and instructions on completing it are provided with your licence. For more information and to complete your catch return on-line, please go to http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/catchreturn Catch returns provide important information to help manage salmon and sea trout stocks.
1.6 What fish you can take 1.6.1
What salmon and sea trout can I take?
You must not remove any salmon, alive or dead, from any waters before 16 June of any year. Any salmon caught before this date must be returned to the water with least possible injury. (Please note there are restrictions on what baits you may use when fishing for salmon before 16 June - see above.) This is a national byelaw. You may not sell, offer or expose for sale or have in possession for sale any salmon or sea trout which has been taken by rod and line. This is a national byelaw.
1.6.2
What freshwater (coarse) fish can I take?
On rivers, you may take no more than
one pike of less than 65 cm per day;
two grayling of between 30 and 38 cm per day;
fifteen barbel, chub, common bream, common carp, crucian carp, dace, perch, pike, roach, rudd, silver bream, smelt or tench (including any hybrids of these species) of less than 20cm per day.
All lengths are measured from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. These restrictions also apply on all the waters in the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads that are subject to the coarse fish close season (see above). There are no restrictions on the number of other coarse fish you may take (see below for eel and shad).
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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
On stillwaters and canals, you may only take freshwater fish with the written permission of the fishery owner or occupier. NB. Canals are defined as those canals where the coarse fish close season has been removed. You may keep fish in a keepnet or keep sack before returning them to the water. This is a national byelaw.
1.6.3
Can I take any eel or shad?
You may not take any rod caught eel or shad from any waters, including tidal waters. You may keep eel in a keepnet or keep sack before returning them to the water. Shad must be returned immediately. This is a national byelaw.
Unrestricted fish removal can reduce the value of the fisheries they support and can add to the pressure that some threatened species are already under. Where specimen fish are taken to restock other fisheries, can increase the spread of fish diseases and invasive non-native fish.
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
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Table 1 - Stillwaters retaining a close season County
Water
OS grid reference
Bedfordshire
Felmersham Gravel Pits
SP991584
Houghton Regis Marl Lakes
TL008235
Fowlmere Watercress Beds
TL406454
Grafham Water
TL150680
Holme Fen
TL205895
Little Paxton Pits
TL200637
Stow-Cum-Quy Fen
TL515527
Wicken Fen
TL555700
Woodwalton Fen
TL230840
Dogsthorpe Star Pit
TF213025
Nene Washes
TL200977, TF395029
Ouse Washes
TL393747, TL571987
Didlington Park Lakes
TL777963
Dillington Carr, Gressenhall
TF971158
East Wretham Heath
TL910882
Gunton Park Lane
TG221345
Sea Mere, Hingham
TG035012
Stanford Training Area
TL870940
Thompson Water, Carr & Common
TL930955
Wretham Park Meres
TL902918
Westwick Lakes excluding Captain's Pond
TG273274
Cambridgeshire
Norfolk
Northamptonshire Higham Ferrers Gravel Pits
Suffolk
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SP945686
Pitsford Reservoir
SP780708
Twywell Gullett
SP947775
Yardley Chase
SP857540, SP841553
Benacre to Easton Bavents
TM537855
Cavenham/Icklingham Heaths
TL755733
Lackford
TL890710
Lakenheath Poors Fen
TL701827
Minsmere/Walberswick Heaths & Marshes
TM465662, TM465735
North Warren & Thorpeness Mere
TM460594
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
Sizewell Marshes
TM466638
Stallode Wash, Lakenheath
TL675853
Table 2 - Waters in the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads with no close season Water
OS grid reference
Water
OS grid reference
Aldeby Hall Pits
TM441930
Shell Club, Aldeby
TM444928
Marsh Trail Lakes, Beccles
TM429913
Farm Reservoir, Dunburgh
TM404911
Ditchingham Pit
TM335907
By Pass Pit, Bungay
TM327898
Earsham Pits
TM318900
Bungay Common Pond
TM332902
Cantley Sugar Factory Lakes Reedham Ferry Touring Campsite Pond
TG390036
Limpenhoe Fishery
TG393038
TG403014
Boundary Farm Campsite Pond, Oby
TG403149
Mill Road Fishery, Stokesby TG426108
Snakesmeadow, Winsford Hall, Stokesby
TG446120
Martham Pits
TG447195
East Ruston AC Pit
TG344272
Priors Diesel Pit, Martham
TG439191
Weavers Way Fishery, East Ruston
TG354263
Mown Fen, East Ruston
TG341278
Penneygate, Barton Turf
TG358231
New Pit, Mustard Hyrn, Martham
TG440189
Holly Farm Lakes, South Walsham
TG384134
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
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Table 3 - Anglian Demarcation Points Watercoursey
Demarcation Point
OS grid reference
Middle Level Main Drain Tidal Great Ouse
St. German’s Pumping Station
TF588143
Stowbridge Road
TF602070
Mill Basin
The Sluice
TF545110
Smeeth Lode
Pumping Station Sluice
TF575144(T)
Flood Relief Channel Nar Valley Drain
Tail Sluice
TF605173(T)
The Sluice
TF615187(T)
Nar
Tidal Sluice, King’s Lynn
TF621183(T)
Middleton Stop Drain Gaywood
Pumping Station Sluice
TF622187(T)
Mill Fleet Sluice, King’s Lynn
TF618197(T)
West Lynn Drain
The Sluice
TF612198(T)
North Lynn Drain
The Sluice
TF611215(T)
Babingley
Tidal Sluice, The Saltings
TF606239(T)
Ingol
Tidal Sluice, Wolferton Creek
TF654303(T)
Heacham
Tidal Flap Valve, Heacham Harbour
TF663368(T)
Stour (South Channel) Stour (North Channel) Stutton Brook
Judas Gap
TM080328(T)
Cattawade Barrage
TM101330(T)
Stutton Mill Tidal Sluice
TM132331(T)
Holbrook
Tidal Sluice near Lower Holbrook
TM174349(T)
Ramsey
Dock Sluice near Parkeston
TM242323(T)
Holland Brook
Holland Sluice, Holland Haven
TM219172(T)
Colne
East Mills, Colchester
TM006254(T)
Salary Brook
Tidal Sluice
TM021238(T)
Roman
Essex Water Company Dam
TL997201(T)
Tenpenny Brook
Tidal Sluice
TM082194(T)
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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
Blackwater
Beeleigh Long Weir
TL839084(T)
Pennys Brook
Osea Road Sluice
TL891073(T)
Bowstead Brook
Tidal Sluice
TL928087(T)
Virley Brook
Tidal Sluice Salcot
TL951136(T)
Chelmer
Beeleigh New Sluice
TL838083(T)
Asheldham Brook
Round Barn Dengie
TM017015
Crouch
Wickford Gauging Station
TQ748934(T)
Shotgate Brook
A129 Road Bridge
TQ775931
Rawreth Brook
Rawreth
TQ778932
Roach
B1013 Road Bridge
TQ876902
Prittle Brook
Rochford
TQ880894
Mardyke
War Department Sluice
TQ548786(T)
Chelmer/Blackwater Canal Heybridge Basin
TL872068
Winterton Beck
Winteringham Haven Sluice
SE935228(T)
West Drain
Sluice at South Ferriby
SE975211(T)
Ancholme
Sluice at South Ferriby
SE975211(T)
East Drain
Sluice at South Ferriby
SE975211(T)
Barton Haven
Barton Haven Sluice
TA028226(T)
Barrow Beck
Barrow Haven
TA064225(T)
New Holland Main Drain Goxhill Haven
New Holland Sluice
TA080243(T)
Goxhill Haven Sluice
TA120254(T)
East Halton Beck North Killingholme Drain Killingholme Marsh Drain South Killingholme Drain
East Halton Skitter Sluice North Killingholme Haven Sluice
TA145228(T) TA166201(T)
Killingholme Marsh Sluice
TA177187(T)
South Killingholme Haven Sluice
TA187172(T)
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
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Habrough Marsh Drain North Beck Drain
Habrough Marsh Drain Sluice
TA207157(T)
North Beck Sluice
TA216152(T)
Middle Drain
Middle Drain Pumping Station
TA229140(T)
Oldfleet Drain
Oldfleet Drain Sluice
TA238131(T)
Mawmbridge Drain
Mawmbridge Drain Sluice
TA246124(T)
New Cut Drain
Pyewipe Sluice
TA263109(T)
Freshney
Alexandra Dock Pumping Station
TA270096(T)
Buck Beck
Buck Beck Outfall Sluice
TA327067(T)
Louth Canal
Tetney Sluice
TA354031(T)
Old Fleet Drain
Tetney Sluice (North Coates)
TA354031(T)
Seven Towns North Grainthorpe Sluice Eau Seven Towns South Pyes Hall Sluice Eau Grayfleet Drain Saltfleet Haven Sluice
TA395007(T)
Great Eau
Great Eau Sluice
TF459933(T)
Mablethorpe Cut
Mablethorpe Sluice
TF508854(T)
Woldgrift Drain
Trusthorpe Sluice
TF514841(T)
Boygrift Drain
Huttoft Sluice and Pumping Station
TF534800(T)
Anderby Main Drain
Anderby Sluice and Pumping Station
TF546760(T)
Willoughby High Drain Ingoldmells Main Drain Steeping
Chapel Sluice and Pumping Station
TF560729(T)
Ingoldmells Point Sluice and Pumping Station Wainfleet Haven Clough Sluice
TF571684(T)
Steeping Relief Channel Cowbank Drain
Steeping Relief Channel Sluice
TF552587(T)
Pumps at Wainfleet Haven
TF553585(T)
Witham
Grand Sluice Boston
TF323445(T)
Maud Foster
Maud Foster Sluice Boston
TF336430(T)
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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
TA409006(T) TF456934(T)
TF543596(T)
South Forty Foot Drain Hobhole Drain
Black Sluice Boston
TF327428(T) TF365402(T)
Hun
Hobhole Pumping Station and Sluice Fishtoft Sluice
Burn
Near Burnham Norton
TF835439(T)
Stiffkey
Stiffkey Greens
TF988441(T)
Glaven
A149 Road Bridge (Cley next the sea)
TG043438(T)
Thorpeness Hundred Lothingland Hundred Cove Run
Sluice Cottage
TM468584(T)
Benacre Pump
TM536845(T)
B11 27 Road Bridge
TM509791(T)
Blyth
Blythburgh Bridge
TM453756
Wang
Wolsey Bridge A1095
TM472768(T)
Dunwich
Dunwich Bridge
TM474707
Minsmere
The Sluice
TM477662(T)
Alde
Near B1069, The Maltings Snape
TM390577(T)
Butley
Butley Mills
TM387516(T)
Deben
Wilford Bridge Melton
TM291502(T)
Fynn
Martlesham
TM259473(T)
Shottisham Creek
Near Shottisham
TM300431(T)
Mill
Kirton Creek
TM291415(T)
Gipping/Orwell
Velocity Control Structure
TM168434
Belstead Brook
A137 Road Bridge South of Ipswich
TM162419(T)
Bure (inc Ant and Thurne) Yare
Five Mile House
TG474101
Six Mile House
TG455034
Waveney
Seven Mile House
TG458015
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
TF721446(T)
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Mun
Mundesley Mill
TG315365
Welland
TF259242(T)
Glen
At confluence d/s of Fulney Lock and Coronation Channel Surfleet Seas End Sluice
Nene
Guyhirn Road Bridge
TF400035
Vernatt’s Drain
Vernatt’s Bridge
TF282293(T)
Risegate Eau
Risegate Outfall
TF304316(T)
Lutton Leam
Leamlands Sluice
TF486263(T)
South Holland Main Drain North Level Main Drain
Confluence with River Nene
TF477200(T)
Confluence with River Nene at Foul Anchor
TF468182(T)
Note (T) = Tidal Limit
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Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
TF280293(T)
Appendix A- Relevant Fisheries Byelaws and Primary Legislation Anglian Water Authority Lead Weight Byelaws 1987 Anglian Regional Byelaws 1988 National Fisheries Byelaws 1996 National Fisheries Byelaws 1997 National Fisheries Byelaws 2001 National Salmon Byelaws 2009 National Ban on the Sale of Rod Caught Salmon and Migratory Trout Byelaw 2009 National Coarse Fish Close Season (Rod and Line) 2009 Fish Removal (by Rod and Line) Byelaws 2010 National Brown Trout Close Season (Rod and Line) 2010 Section 1, Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1975, amended by Marine & Coastal Access Act, 2009
Environment Agency Rod Fishing Byelaws - Anglian Region
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