Norfolk Fishing Network 2004 - 2024 - Fisheries Information

Fishery Name: Bawburgh Lakes - Bawburgh Lake

Address: New Road, Bawburgh, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 3LZ

Grid Reference: Entrance Grid Ref: TG 16520 09020 Actual Grid Ref: TG 16770 08560

Sat Nav: NR9 3LZ

Phone Numbers: 01603 630187 or 01263 732752

Email Address: ?

Description: Bawburgh lake is the oldest of the large pits on the Bawburgh complex. It is also by far the least fished of the lakes. A stunning old lake that is made up of a 'main bowl' of water and the three large 'back bays' which are seperated from the main body of water by a huge island, access to the island is via the foot bridge and several good swims are located around the island. Bawburgh was the first lake on the complex to produce a double figure Tench and today is a very prolific Tench fishery. It still holds double figure Tench but the population of this species has grown massively in recentyears and big hauls of quality fish in a day are common. The Carp fishing on this lake has been virtually un-touched since the summer floods of 2007 when much of the stock was believed to have escaped into the river. However, since the floods a good number of the Carp on the missing list have been seen in the water by bailiffs and anglers. The lake is known to contain at least one mid thirty common known as 'Hewitts Common' and several thirty plus mirrors, some of which are yet to grace the banks. There is also a VERY large ghost carp in the lake that has not been caught for several years but has been seen in the lake every year. For a carp angler looking for a true challenge on a lake that almost certainly holds a big suprise or two, and in isolation from the main stream of carp angler, Bawburgh could be the very place you are looking for. The pike fishing on Bawburgh is very much on the up and up after suffering a trough in recent years. Sadly it would seem that the numbers of huge pike that made the lake famous in its hayday are no longer present but the lake in most certainly making a good comeback with several good twenties reported last season. The lake also contains a dense stock of silver fish which will provide a superb food source for the growing numbers of pike. Like all of the big pits on the complex, Bawburgh holds a small stock of very large bream. To catch the bream by design will take a dedicated campaign but the rewards are there for those who are prepared to make that effort. The largest Bream reported was by Justin Grapes at just over seventeen pounds. Recent stockings include ten Fishers pond strain carp in 2005 (I think!) and twenty Dinton strain carp in 2010 that were made up of a 50/50 mix of mirrors and commons. The largest reported of the Fishers pond carp was to Paul 'Pineapple' Manning at over 36 pounds in 2008, I have not heard of any captures of this fish since then but I have seen it in the water this spring (2013, when it turned me over!) and she was looking very large indeed!!. The parts of the lake which flooded in 2007 are now protected by a stock fence to prevent a repeat of the '07 loses.

Fish Species: Barbel Bitterling Bleak Bream Common Bream Silver Bullhead Carp Common Carp Crucian Carp F1 Carp Carp Ghost Carp Grass Carp Leather Carp Koi Carp Mirror Catfish Wels Chub Crayfish Dace Eel Goldfish Goldfish Brown Grayling Gudgeon Minnow Orfe/Ide Blue Orfe/Ide Golden Orfe/Ide Silver Perch Pike Pumpkin seed Roach Rudd Rudd Golden Ruffe Schelly Stickle back Stone Loach Sturgeon Tench Tench Golden Walleye Zander

Bawburgh fishery rules: Bailiffs will insist that any member breaking these rules must leave the fishery and may result in membership being withdrawn. Membership is offered on condition that the rules of the fishery are adhered to. Bawburgh Management reserves the right to refuse membership application or suspend membership should any breach of the rules take place. Bawburgh Management reserve the right to limit access to, or close, all or any part of the fishery at any time. Vehicle access to lakes restricted to main access tracks as shown on maps. Tracks around back of Bawburgh and Colney Lakes are out of bounds and restricted to use only by fishery bailiffs while checking permits, and registered disabled anglers, who must first seek consent from the head bailiff. Anglers not present in their swim, and leaving their rods unattended while fishing are committing an offence under EA National Bylaw 10 Phase 2. All gates must be closed after use. All vehicles must be parked in the fishery car parks at all times as shown on map. No litter: Any angler found fishing in litter will be deemed responsible for that litter and loose their permit. No fires. No climbing of trees, damage to or felling of trees. All anglers shall be in the possession of a current Environment Agency rod licence and shall comply with the Salmon and Fresh Water Fisheries Acts and Bylaws thereof. This licence is valid for use within the traditional open season only and is not valid after March 31st. All fish must be returned alive to the water. No fish to be brought to or taken from the fishery or otherwise moved from one lake to another including for use as live baits. No wading, swimming, bathing, paddling, boating, or the use of dinghies for any purposes. No children under the age of 15 years may enter the fishery unless accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of 18 years, who will be deemed responsible for their action and safety. All anglers must be in possession of, and produce on demand a valid permit, failing which, such angler will be asked to leave the fishery. 3 rods maximum on Bawburgh, Colney and Lodge Farm Lake, 2 rods maximum on Colney 2 and all smaller lakes. All rods must be set no more than 2 metres apart. Whilst fishing for any species, a 3rd rod may not be used for pike fishing. No keep-nets to be used on Bawburgh, Colney, Colney 2 or Lodge Farm Lakes and no carp are to ever be retained in keep nets on all other lakes except during officially organised matches. No rods to be unattended or spread out in different swims. Adequate sized, padded unhooking mats must be used for large fish of all species, which require unhooking on the ground. This applies to all lakes. Specimen fish should be retained for as short a period as necessary before being photographed and returned. All particle baits including seeds, nuts, grains and pulses must be properly prepared including soaking for 24 hours prior to cooking. Members are expected to show consideration for other anglers and water users at all times and also comply with reasonable requests of fishery bailiffs. Fishing is prohibited from the back of the island on Bawburgh Lakes into the back bays and arm. No fixed lead rigs, which do not incorporate safe systems by which the lead can pull free from the rig. Bait boats may be used for the delivery of feed only. Hook baits must be cast out. If you intend to bring a dog, they must be registered at the start of your membership. Dogs must be kept under full control at all times and not allowed to foul the fishery, or cause nuisance to other members. Failure to adhere to any of these rules will see your dog removed from your membership and you will forfeit your right to bring them. Members wishing to leave the fishery or their swim, for any reason, may do so for a maximum of 3 hours without removing their tackle from the swim, having first wound their tackle in. Time-sharing of a swim (rotating occupancy) between members is not acceptable. Reserving of swims by means of placing random items of tackle in the swim is not acceptable. Most importantly, the harming of any flora or fauna at Bawburgh Lakes will not be tolerated. Pike Fishing Rules Anyone wishing to fish for pike at Bawburgh Lakes must have attended the events on pike handling and welfare hosted by the PAC, dates to be advised. This condition of your membership which was communicated to you on your application, failure to meet this criteria will forfeit your permit. No pike fishing before 1st October or after 14th march. Effective bite indication registering both runs and drop back bites must be used at all times. Runs must be struck as soon as possible. Minimum breaking strain line of 15lb. Wire traces must always be used. Minimum 18 of 30lb wire. 2 rods only, this is to conserve pike stocks. Whilst pike fishing a 3rd rod may not be used for other species. Treble hooks must be semi-barbed. (This means 2 barbless hooks with a barbed bait holding hook only). No more than 2 on each trace. Adequate sized landing nets must be carried and used (42 minimum). Spinning is allowed for perch and chub only before 1st October but the spinner vain must not exceed 1 in length and a wire trace must be used. The use of Gaffs and Gags is prohibited. Forceps and wire cutters must be carried. An experienced pike angler must accompany inexperienced pike anglers at all times. Pike may be retained in tunnels or sacks only while camera equipment is being set up. No live baiting. Sorry but this is the only way we can ensure non-movement of fish on site and possible consequent spread of diseases. Pike fishing at night is allowed at the fishery, although the pike angler must not fish with the intention of sleeping at their rods. Eel and Perch Fishing Rules The pike fishing rules apply to these species but with the following amendments: No restrictions for eels or perch. 2 rods only. Minimum breaking strain line of 6lb. Wire traces must be used for deadbaits and lures/jigs. Minimum breaking strain 10lb. Single hooks only. Plugs and Jigs including the tail must not exceed 3 and must have single hooks only. Maximum deadbait size 3 Bird Watching Permit Rules Membership is offered on condition that the rules of the fishery are adhered to. Bawburgh Management reserve the right to refuse membership or suspend membership should any breach take place. Access to the fishery is limited to between the hours of dawn and dust. Vehicle access to the lakes is restricted to main access tracks, as shown on the map. Tracks around the back of Bawburgh and Colney Lakes are out of bounds to cars and restricted to the use only of fishery bailiffs while checking permits and registered disabled anglers, who must first seek consent from the head bailiff. No feeding of any forms of wildlife. All gates must be closed after use. All vehicles must be parked in the fishery car parks at all times as shown on the map. No litter: Any member found in an area of litter will be deemed responsible for that litter and lose their permit. No fires. No damage to or the felling of trees. No swimming, bathing, paddling, boating, sailing or the use of dinghies for any purposes. No camping allowed. No children under the age of 15 years may enter the fishery unless accompanied by a responsible adult over the age of 18 years, who will be deemed responsible for their actions and safety. All members must be in possession of and produce on demand to bailiffs a valid permit, failing which, such member will be asked to leave the fishery. Members are expected to show consideration for other members and water users at all times and also comply with reasonable requests of fishery bailiffs. No dogs. Bawburgh Management reserve the right to limit access to or close all or any part of the fishery at any time. Members must keep to the tracks at all times. IMPORTANT NOTICE Weil's disease (Leptospirosis) It is a bacterial infection carried in rat's urine, which contaminates water and the banks of lakes, rivers and ponds. It is a serious disease in human beings that requires hospital treatment. The early symptoms are similar to those of flu and normally start 3 to 19 days after exposure to contaminated water. Ever year people die from this disease, which is unnecessary because it is easily treated if diagnosed in time. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN TO YOU. There are a number of sensible precautions you can take. Cover any cuts, sores or scratches with waterproof plasters or gloves. Disinfect any wounds that occur at the waterside. Wash your hands or cover food with a wrapper before you eat. Do not put your hand in your mouth after immersing in river water and never place bait or fishing line in your mouth. Do not touch dead animals, especially rats. If you develop flu-like symptoms that persist tell your doctor that you may have been exposed to Laptospirosis so that he/she can consider it in their diagnosis. Do not leave food, ground bait or bait on the bank side. Rats and Mink are being trapped on site, do not approach or tamper with traps at any time.

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