Angling at Aqua Sports

• Aqua Sports Company accepts no liability for accident to anglers whilst fishing at Mercers Park howsoever caused.
  Personal insurance against loss, damage, injury or accident is the responsibility of the angler.
• Anglers are reminded that they must behave responsibly and safely on the fishing swims and walkways.
• Walk with due care and attention on boards, walkways and steps.
• Scaffold swims have kickboards at the front of the swim which are there for your safety when fishing. Do NOT walk backwards towards the open front sections of the swims where there are no guard rails to support you!!

General

• No person will be admitted to the water unless in the possession of a valid membership card and Environment Agency (EA) Licence(s) covering the number of rods used. The membership card is must be available upon request.
• Members must gain access to the waters edge only by way of defined gates and paths and fishing is restricted to the lengths of bank defined on site. Gates must be kept locked at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the Anglers paths. If you find a gate open, please close it.
• Any person found wilfully destroying fish or taking fish away from Mercers Park will loose their membership immediately and will be liable to prosecution by the EA, the Aqua Sports Company or Sibelco.
• Strictly NO publicity: do not mention this venue to Angling Publications. Do not pass photos /articles to Angling press.
• NO wading to cast or bait.
• All due consideration must be given to other water users.
• Abusive language by any water user WILL NOT be tolerated. Problems should be reported to the office.
• NO swimming allowed.
• Persons under 16 years of age are not allowed to stay overnight.
• No friends of members allowed on the angler’s path without a good reason e.g. bringing supplies.
• Litter, discarded tackle, etc. must be taken away. Any member found leaving litter will be suspended pending a decision by the Aqua Sports Company.
• Mercers Park water levels fluctuate and whilst every endeavour is made to provide dry swims, it cannot be guaranteed that all the swims remain above the water line at all times.
• Membership applications and renewals are subject to approval of the Aqua Sports Company.
• Memberships are non-refundable and non transferable.

Car Parks

• No cars or vans must be left anywhere except in designated car parks (not in fields or by swim 2).
• Strictly members only to know the codes on the gate combination locks, anyone found giving combinations to persons outside of the membership (i.e. take-away delivery services) will have their membership revoked.

Swims

• Swims cannot be reserved. Do not leave untackled equipment unattended in swims.
• Members leaving rods unattended must remove them and the tackle from the water. Bait must be removed from the hook. Leaving rods unattended is an EA offence.
• No swim rotation at any time.
• NO casting beyond 30 metres when there are watersports taking place in the area.
• Members fishing ‘The Point’ (night swim included) must move from ‘the point’ completely after 48 hours with no return for a further 48 hours.
• Maximum stay of 48 hours in any one swim. NO rotating.

Equipment

• To avoid damage all fish are to be handled with care. Unhooking mats are compulsory and must be adequate for the size of fish.
• Three rods may be used from swim No.7 through to swim No. 89. Two rods only on ‘the Point and swim 5. Minimum 14lb line to be used for Carp and Pike fishing, no shock leaders to be used including lead core. Rig checks are going to
  be frequently inspected.
• Max Lead size 4oz.
• Live baiting and freshwater dead baiting are NOT allowed.
• NO particle baits are allowed except tinned or frozen sweetcorn, and hemp.
• NO radio-controlled craft of any kind are allowed on the water.
• No fixed, semi fixed, or lead lock rigs. Running rigs only. If unsure please check with a manager.
• In the event of the main line breaking the hook link must have the ability to disengage from the lead i.e. no death rigs.
• There will be no bent or semi-bent hooks.
• There will be no barb-less hooks.
• There will be no sacking of carp for any reason.
• All members and guests to carry ‘clinic’ or similar product for use on fish soars etc.
• Lead clips must be used in accordance with manufacturers guidelines.

Guest/ Winter Ticket Holders

• Guest tickets must be booked a maximum of one week in advance from the Aqua Sports Co. Guests may only fish from the start of the open bank (swim No. 14) through to swim No. 75.
• Members must fish in swim adjacent to guest.
• A maximum of two guests per day will be allowed, tickets are non-refundable.
• Tickets are available from 1st August and as of 1st October swims 5 – 78 are available.
• Guests can only fish at the lake for a period of four days per season.