Norfolk Fishing Network 2004 - 2024 - Fisheries Information

Fishery Name: Bawburgh Lakes - Lodge Farm Lake

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

Grid Reference: Entrance Grid Ref: TG 16520 09020 Actual Grid Ref: TG 16875 08672

Sat Nav: NR9 3LZ

Phone Numbers: 01603 630187 or 01263 732752

Email Address: ?

Description: Lodge Farm lake Lodge is the largest lake on the complex and is the former holder of the British record for Bream, an incredible fish of 18lb 15oz caught by Kerry Walker. Lodge is a most beautiful and under fished lake of just under thirty acres and is made up a main body of water and several bays including the 'house bay' (bottom left of picture) the 'Bistock bay' (middle/top left) the 'River bay' and the tiny and intimate 'keyhole bay' (bottom right of picture) plus three large islands and a huge array of plateau's, bars, silt and gravel areas and plenty of lovely weed. Like all the lakes Lodge is incredibly rich and has produced specimen sized fish of all species and incredible growth rates in stocked fish. As an example a pair of carp stocked in 2008 at 12 and 14 pounds were caught as a brace by Patrick Billman at 29.14 and 35 pounds in 2012! Sadly the lake record carp of over 42lb's is no longer with us (another victim of those '07 floods) but many other fish are gaining weight rapidly in the rich enviroment and it really is only a matter of when, not if, Lodge produces its next 'forty' in fact, new 2013 member Dan Millard recently caught the magnificent 'three scales' at a weight of 38.08 and that was after the fish had spawned! 2013 has also seen the lakes first 30lb common which was caught in a brace of thirties to local angler Dean Vaughn who's after half of the brace was 'mini mallins' at 32lb. Other big carp of note include 'blues fish' (mid thirty) 'the river bay lin' (simply stunning upper twenty) 'Single' (mid thirty) 'Crinkle tail common' and 'Cluster' (both upper twenty, fast heading for thirty) to name but a few. Lodge also has the potential to throw up a suprise or two, I have seen with my own eyes a common (swimming with another known mid thirty) that was easily a mid thirty and quite possibly bigger, this fish has never been reported as caught. There are also reports of one or two other large fish that have not seen a net in recent years but this is probably more to do with the lack of substained angling pressure as anything else. Recent stockings include a total of forty Dinton strain carp, and at least fourteen of our own home grown fish transported from Works lake in 2008. The Dinton fish are steady rather than fast growing fish but they do gain weight every year and quite frankly every one is a stunner with some incredible heavily scaled mirrors that will form the future of this lake. The Dinton stockings were made as follows, 2009 fifteen double figure commons, 2010 fifteen double figure mirrors, 2012 ten mirrors from high single to low doubles. Many of these fish are now well into the twenties and, as with Bawburgh, stock fencing has been erected in areas at risk from flooding. Lodge also holds a very healthy stock of Tench, again large hauls of fish are common with a high average weight and several fish well into double figures. When the angler gets it right the Tench sport can be hectic, I once witnessed well know Bawburgh specimen hunter Darryn Stolworthy unable to keep two rods in the water such was the ferocity of the action on maggot feeder. There is also a very small head of Bream still living on Lodge, as far as I am aware none have been caught in recent years and no one specifically targets them on this lake but regular sightings confirm that a small handfull are still present. Like Bawburgh, the Lodge pike are making something of a come back after a dip in size and numbers in recent years. Several good fish have been reported in the last couple of years and a good head of young pike can be seen prowling the margins on a warm day giving hope that Lodge can once again make a return to its legendary heydays. Again, as with Bawburgh, a strong head of silver fish are present and can be relied upon to provide an excellent food source for this future generation of predators.

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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