LEE ANGLERS' CONSORTIUM
FISHERY RULES
Associated Link: click here for Lee Anglers’ Consortium’s Constitution and Rules
Please click ‘Fishery Rules’ above for important safety advice
All permits must be produced on request by a Consortium Bailiff or other member (on production of own permit) or an officer of British Waterways or other such landlords of the Consortium as the case may be.
All members are honorary bailiffs and must help Consortium Bailiffs when so requested.
All persons fishing on Consortium waters shall be bound by the by-laws and regulations, at the time being in force, of the Environment Agency (or any successor thereof) and British Waterways.
FISH
No fish may be taken from the fishery for live or dead bait and no account may fish be taken away for personal or commercial use. Some anglers are confused about the difference between the EA rules and regulations and the local fishery management rules. The local LAC rules override the EA and it is hoped that when the provisions of the Marine Bill are enacted that the two sets of regulations will be the same. Please also see under ‘safety advice’.
Click on warning poster to enlarge
The trapping of crayfish is not allowed without the consent of British Waterways and a current licence issued by the Environment Agency.
LITTER
Any angler found discarding litter of any kind or interfering with, or causing annoyance to any other angler or other legitimate water/tow-path user without good reason (proof whereof shall lie on him) or failing to abide by any rules of the Consortium shall be liable to have his/her permit revoked forthwith and to be banned from Consortium waters.
All persons fishing on Consortium waters must abide by any additional rules, at the time being in force, reasonable notice having been given. In all cases of dispute the decision of the Bailiff shall be final and binding pending ratification by the Management Committee.
Member Clubs shall be liable for the actions of their members.
THE TOWING PATH
There are no set rules apart from being considerate to all other users.
Anglers should appreciate that the towing path is provided for all types of users. Please be considerate especially when casting your line and when shipping back your pole. If possible use a pole roller and ship your pole almost horizontal to the bank. Also pole users should remove their poles from their peg in time for advancing boats to see all is clear. They are more likely to steer to the middle of the river, where it is at its deepest, and cause less disruption to your swim and then give them a ‘smile’.
Cyclists can be a danger to you so be aware of them all the time. They no longer have to have a BW licence but they do have a ‘Code of Practice’ which many are not aware of.
Canoeists can also ruin your whole day in just a few seconds but there is little we can do but try to get on together and share the river.
Please report any incidents to this office where other users action is less intolerable and without regard to other users.
PLEASE never get in a fight as often the consequences are for beyond the actual situation deserves.
Most frequently asked question.
Question: Is there a close season on the Lee Navigation?
Answer: Yes and No!
From Hertford downstream to Aqueduct Lock has been deemed a river and as a consequence angling is allowed only in the open season for rivers. That is between June 16th and March 14th inclusive.From Aqueduct Lock downstream all the way to Bow and the Bow Back rivers it is treated as a canal and thus allowing all year fishing.