Fishery Rules

Our rules are primarily concerned with ensuring our guests have a safe and enjoyable stay and the fish are respected and looked after.

As our rules are strictly enforced we would encourage all of our guests and in particular anglers to read and understand them prior to arrival. Any questions please ask,

Angling Rules & Conditions

1. Anglers fish at Cherry Lakes at their OWN RISK. The owners do not accept any liability for injury to anglers or their guests, or theft or damage to anglers’ property.
2. All anglers must be physically capable of landing, unhooking and returning up to 50lb+ Carp safely or have a companion with them at all times that can. Anglers will not be allowed to fish if we do not consider they are able to do so safely. NO refund will be given if you turn up and are not physically capable of landing and handling the Carp safely.
3. Whilst disabled guests are always welcome, any anglers who are physically restricted in movement or disabled, are not allowed to be in the Lodges or fishing without an able bodied guest sharing their Lodge. Please see full terms and conditions.
4. All Carp should be removed from the water by folding the landing net within the retainer/weigh sling. Please ask Dave/Mike to explain if you do not understand.
5. All anglers are expected to have review the video below on 'Handling Big Carp safely'.. We expect all anglers on Cherry Lakes to follow the best practices outlined here. If you are unable or unwilling to do so, please do not book.

General Rules & Conditions

1. Guests and anglers must follow any reasonable request from management. Management decisions are final.
2. Vehicles must be parked in the car park, must not be driven off road and keep to the 5mph speed limit. Cars can only be driven around the lake for dropping off and collecting tackle and clothes etc on arrival and departure.
3. The Lodges, Cabin and Cottage are strictly No Smoking. If you smoke you need to go outside.
4. Only anglers and visitors who have booked are allowed on the property. Any unauthorised visitors will be asked to leave immediately.
5. No dogs or any other domestic Pets are allowed.
6. No swimming or wading in the Lakes under any circumstances.
7. The boat is strictly for use by the owner and bailiff only.
8. The owner’s property is to be protected at all times. Any damages should be reported immediately to the owner or bailiff.
9. Do NOT climb trees or damage/cut down bank-side vegetation.
10. All litter must be removed.
11. Disposable BBQ’s are permitted but they must be used in the BBQ holders provided.
12. Strictly no particles to be brought onto the fishery except sweetcorn
13. No Shelf Life Boilies to be used. Shelf life Pop-ups and hook baits only are allowed.
14. During Spawning periods anglers must comply with any request to stop angling or to fish in areas without spawning activity. As soon as activity is stopped Anglers will be invited to recommence fishing. We do not anticipate any issue from anglers to comply with this rule as it is to reduce Carp stress and prevent foul hooking at a time when they are pre-occupied and not feeding.
15. Bed chairs and fishing chairs are not allowed in the Lodges as they damage the floors.

Any serious rule breach, including poor fish handling, Wading, Swimming, possession of sacks, use of the fishery boats, and anti- social behaviour will result in the guest and his/her party being asked to immediately stop fishing and/or leave without refund.

Fishing Rules

Anglers are required to read, understand and agree to abide by these rules prior to starting fishing.

Fish care and safety is paramount across Cherry Lakes. An approach welcomed by all good anglers who want to catch high quality good conditioned Carp. All anglers are expected to follow any advice or and required to action requests from the fishery management concerning fish safety. Anglers or their companion must be able to safely lift, hook and return any Carp caught.

No Landing nets, weigh slings or unhooking mats/cradles to be brought to Cherry Lakes. The Cherry Lakes Landing nets, cradles and weigh slings must be used at all times

All Carp over 20lb should be removed from the water by folding the landing net within the retainer/weigh sling. Please ask Dave/Mike/Simon to explain if you do not understand.

On arrival you are asked to confirm you have understood and will abide by the rules.

1. The fishing tackle used needs to be fit for purpose and used with good safe rigs, a minimum of 18''of rig tubing, and reliable line of 15lb+. See the detailed section on Carp care and tackle below.
2. Absolutely NO SACKS allowed at any time.
3. No fish are to be introduced or removed from the lake.
4. All anglers to have the required number of Environment Agency fishing licences.
5. No bivvies are allowed except for guests of The Cottage. No tents.
6. Maximum of 3 Rods per angler. If two anglers are sharing a Cherry Lake Lodge or the Cottage swim then a strict two rods per angler limit applies.
7. Bait Boats are allowed. Please stay within the area of your swim and fish sensibly.
8. Only Hempseed supplied by Cherry Lakes can be used. Strictly no Peanuts or Tiger Nuts at any time.
9. No Shelf Life Boilies to be used as feed (whole or crushed). Pop-ups and hook baits are allowed.
10. Rod pods must be used. No bank sticks by the sides of the platform. Rod Pods can be hired if require.
11. No screw in rod pods or bank sticks.
12. No Maggots to be taken into the Lodges, Cabin or Cottage. Maggot clips are not allowed.
13. Swingers or some other form of bite indication on the line as well as audible alarms must be used.
14. No plastic baits. Eg Pop-up corn and foam
15. No Zig Rigs
16. The ‘Magic Twig‘ from OMC is banned due to the snagging and damage risk in the lake and landing nets.
17. Audible alarms by the lake should not be used on full volume whilst Receivers in the Lodges can be as loud as you like! All alarms must have a receiver.
18. During Spawning periods anglers must comply with any request to stop angling or to fish in areas without spawning activity. As soon as activity is stopped Anglers will be invited to recommence fishing. We do not anticipate any issue from anglers to comply with this rule as it is to reduce Carp stress and prevent foul hooking at a time when they are pre-occupied and not feeding.
19. No leaders of any make. A minimum of 18'' of Tubing must be used. No bare line above the lead weight.
20. No anglers under 16 allowed on Cherry Lake without the express prior permission of the owner
21. Inexperienced anglers are not allowed to fish on Cherry Lake on their own because of the difficulty and the need to handle the big Carp properly.

Care of the Carp, Tackle and Bait

1. Anglers must use the Carp Cradle/ weigh slings and unhooking mats provided. Under no circumstances should fish be removed from the area of the cradle unless being put back in using the weigh sling. All photos must be taken on the bottom deck with the Carp being held above the Carp Cradle.
2. Any Carp over 20lb, should be removed from the water by using the sling provided with the net broken down inside it. They should not just be carried out in the net.
3. Fish must always be transported from the Carp Cradle back to the water in the sling provided. Under no circumstances should a fish be carried in your arms.
4. All fish should be returned as soon as possible after weigh-in. The sacking of fish is NOT allowed at any time.
5. Please quickly use the fish care bottles provided to treat any wounds or marks on the captured fish prior to returning.
6. A Large Landing Net (Minimum 42 inch) is provided and this must be used. No other Landing Nets are allowed.
7. Barbless hooks are to be used at all times. No bent, ‘krank’ or ‘curved’ hooks (eg Korda, Mugga).
8. Minimum breaking strain line of 15lb must be used on all Lakes for Carp fishing. This line should reasonably new as old line breaks. Lighter line is allowed if you are clearly fishing for other species of fish.
9. Braid must not be used as a main line.
10. Lead core is not allowed. No Leaders.
11. Tubing must be used. A minimum of 18''. No straight through line.
12. Rigs must be safe with the lead able to eject if the fish gets snagged. Korda style clips are acceptable but the rubbers must not be forced down too tightly preventing the lead from ejecting.
13. No Zig rigs
14. Anglers must not leave their rods in the water unattended i.e. the angler must not be more than 15 meters away.
15. Anglers fishing in the Cottage swim cannot night fish unless they are sleeping by their rods.
16. No fixed leads or any other ‘death rig’.
17. No plastic baits. Eg Pop-up corn or foam
18. No baited rigs to be left on the rods when not in use. This is dangerous to wildlife and the owners friendly dogs.
19. Only particles supplied by Cherry Lakes can be used. Strictly no Peanuts or Tiger Nuts at any time. Sweetcorn is allowed.
20. Some form of bite indication must be used. (e.g. swingers)
21. Any serious breach, or repeated breach, of the above will result in the angler being required to stop fishing or leave the complex.

Any angler not fishing with the correct equipment will be expected to purchase locally the missing items.

Care and respect for others

1. Whilst alcohol is not banned from site, drunken behaviour will not be tolerated.
2. No shouting, loud music or anti-social behaviour.
3. Any serious breach of the above will result in guests being asked to leave immediately with no refund.
4. When setting rods on alarms, please use your off switch to maintain the quiet on the lake.
5. Anglers may not walk through, fish in or bait up in out of bounds areas. If you snag your lines in out of bounds areas please call the bailiff for assistance.
6. Alarms should be used at moderate levels.

Swims and fishing area

Guests on Cherry Lake will be given a map of the Lake on arrival as well as being shown the limits of their ‘water’. Also see Lake map.

No fishing on Cherry Lake other than from your Lodge or the Cottage swim.