Reviewed and updated: 16 April 2021

We have opened and are continue to stock our fisheries as planned but please remember, when visiting our trout fisheries, you must read and adhere to the information below which highlights the restrictions in place so we can continue to fish.

Following the Angling Trust statement released on 16 March, night fishing can now resume for our coarse anglers. Match fishing and competitions have also resumed, but must be Covid compliant.

The statutory stay at home restriction has now been lifted but the guidance will encourage you to minimise travel outside of your local area. This means avoiding making unnecessary journeys, combining trips and avoiding travel at peak times where possible. People should avoid travelling further than is reasonably necessary to take part in, or during, their activity.

 “I am pleased that fishing has been allowed to return in all its forms. It is a great way to get outdoors and to boost mental health, but we do urge anglers to follow social distancing guidelines in force at the time of their visit”

James Platts  - CEO of SW Lakes

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The Angling Trust has produced guidance which can be accessed on their website. This guidance must be adhered to at all time, in short:

• Fishing will remain as a legitimate outdoor recreation or exercise for up to 6 people, or in a larger group if everyone present is from the same two households. A ‘household’ can include the support bubble linked to that household [if eligible].
• Outdoor recreational activities and exercise may take place at night so you may fish into or through the night. There are no time limits on outdoor recreation. Formal campsites and self-contained holiday accommodation opened on April 12th (Step 2).
• Match fishing (in freshwater and at sea) can go ahead as an organised outdoor sports gathering from March 29th. Organised outdoor sports will not be subject to the gatherings limits but must be compliant with guidance issued by national governing bodies to ensure appropriate steps, including risk assessments, are taken to make it Covid secure in line with the law. At this stage, these gatherings must only include participants – not spectators.
• Throughout, anglers must also ensure they are in possession of a valid fishing licence, adhere to fisheries bylaws including the close season (March 15 to June 15 for coarse fishing on rivers) and have permission of the fishery owner.

Anglers please note:

• Boat fishing can continue and the boat fishing rules and regulations during covid-19 remain in place.
• Our fishing permit rooms are closed and day permits will only be available online from our website www.swlakestrust.org.uk/trout-fishing or from our office Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5.00pm on 01566 771930. You can buy a permit as far in advance of your fishing as you would like.
• You can only fish with members of your own household, your support bubble or with one other individual
• You must adhere to social distancing measures: Hand, Face and Space.

For further information on local exercise please visit the Angling Trust website or the Government website.

This is going to be a very difficult period for everybody but as anglers, we must recognise that we are extremely fortunate that our chosen form of recreation can continue even though there are restrictions on what we can do.

Please continue to stay safe, stay alert and control the virus.

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Below is further guidance published on 10 September 2020

Prior to every fishing trip, it is essential that you check the information on this page to ensure that you are up to date with relevant site information, rules and regulations.

In line with government guidance to continue to stay home but enjoy more time outdoors we are commencing a phased re-opening of the lakes, however we urge visitors to act cautiously and not rush to the lakes or travel unnecessarily.

Safeguarding our visitors and team of employees is our priority and therefore we have certain measures in place to limit the spread of coronavirus and maintain the safety of everyone. Please respect our team; they are doing their best to keep you safe during your visit.

Whilst open, we must maintain social distancing and hygiene standards to a level that we feel minimises the risk of spreading coronavirus. If at any point we have concerns that visitor numbers or public behaviour are restricting our ability to do this, we reserve the right to close particular lakes or facilities without prior notice.

Following these instructions will help us to keep our visitors and our team safe and enable our gates to stay open.

Lake Information, Rules and Regulations

If you have a new, persistent cough, temperature or any other reason to suspect you may have coronavirus, please do not visit and help save lives.

Limited toilet facilities are open, a hand sanitiser is available at each location however, we do recommend that you bring your own sanitiser if possible.

Boat angling is available for 2 people per boat at Kennick, Roadford and Siblyback but with strict guidance and rules in place.

Social distancing; please maintain 2 metres distance between yourself and others at all times

We do not actively clean furniture such as benches; only use if absolutely necessary

All fishery rules and regulations available on our website and the notice board still apply with the additional rules below as recommended by the Angling Trust:

• Fishing must be must be undertaken on current measures i.e. individually, within your household or support bubble or with one other person.
• No sharing of fishing tackle or any other items
• No angler to fish within 2 metres of any other angler
• Bring disposable gloves and anti-bacterial hand sanitiser to use when handling gates, locks and other surfaces that anglers come into contact with
• When parking please leave at least 2m in between cars
• You need purchase your fishing permits through our website or by calling 01566 771930

Thank you for your support at this time