1. All litter to be taken home or disposed of appropriately (including cigarette butts).
2. Anglers must clear their peg of litter before fishing, where safe to do so.
3. All fish to be handled with wet hands or via a wet landing net (the use of towels, cloths etc. to restrain fish is STRICTLY prohibited).
4. Permits must be carried at all times whilst on GVAC waters. Permits are valid for one year from the date of issue.
5. No more than two anglers and two rods* in use per swim. (*Three rods may be used from 1st October and 31st March inclusive, on Needham Lake only.) 
6. No fish shall be introduced or removed by anyone, other than as authorised by the Management Committee.
7. No person shall interfere with or disturb any wildlife on GVAC waters.
8. Anglers aged under 12 years must be accompanied/supervised at all times by a permit holding adult (no more than two Under-12s per adult and fishing from adjacent swims only), or overseen by licensed coaches or designated helpers.
9. Bailiffs are authorised to inspect all tackle as they see fit. Should GVAC Rules and Regulations not be observed, anglers may be asked to leave the site and membership may be revoked.
10. All anglers shall have in their possession suitable and appropriate unhooking equipment (Slamo disgorger or similar recommended in addition to pencil type and forceps for pike).
11. When pike/predator fishing, only dead sea fish or artificial lures are permitted.
12. Anglers to remain within 2 metres of their baited rods.
13. Minimum keepnet dimensions shall be 2.50 metres (8 feet) by 0.45 metres (18 inches). Nets shall be knotless and, where carp are to be retained, shall be of appropriate construction incorporating approved “carp safe” material.
14. No fish over 8lb to be retained in keepnets (except in matches – see Match Rules). In any event, fish are not to be retained in keepnets for more than 6 hours.
15. No more than 60lb per keepnet on any GVAC venue (where keepnets permitted).
16. Barbed hooks are not to be used on GVAC waters, other than micro or whisker barb or pinch-barbless.
17. Pre-baiting not permitted.
18. Members may only approach other anglers with due courtesy and consideration, and must ask permission to do so.
19. Baits not permitted: All boilies, (except at Needham Lake), and all nuts.
20. Maximum 2kg groundbait per angler, per five-hour session.
21. Surface fishing is not permitted on all GVAC waters and feeding of floating baits is prohibited. At Needham Lake all baits must be fished at least 24 inches (60cm) below the surface in the interests of wildfowl safety.
22. No overnight bivvies or camping. No Fires. Fishing on all GVAC waters is only permitted between Dawn and Dusk. Fires and/or camping are not permitted.  
23. No radios or audible devices, unless used with personal earphones.
24. The Management Committee reserves the right to close any GVAC venue for match, coaching, teach-ins, maintenance or redevelopment purposes.
25. (a) Pike and Zander. Angling with deadbaits (see Rule 11) permitted only from 1st October to 31st March inclusive*. Wire trace, with barbless/semi-barbed hooks only, must be used at all times. The following tackle is required: minimum 15lb line and suitably powerful rod; landing net at least 60cm (2ft) across; appropriate unhooking equipment (large mat, long forceps/long-nosed pliers and side cutters). The use of gaffs, gags and lip grippers is strictly prohibited.                                                                                        (b) Fishing with artificial lures (spinners, plugs, spoons, jigs, flies, micro and drop-shot lures) for predatory species. Permitted from 15th May to March 31st inclusive*. No more than two treble hooks (barbless or crimped) permitted on lures. Suitable rod and line to be used for target species. Appropriate tackle and wire trace to be used at all times on waters where pike/zander are present. Anglers to be in possession of unhooking mat and relevant unhooking equipment. *Note close season on rivers:March 15th to June 15th Inclusive.
26. Specimen anglers must have unhooking mat, suitable rod and line, and specimen landing net.
27. No bait boats. No other artificial, mechanical or digital aids of similar description (fish finders are permitted whilst pleasure fishing only). 
28. Trapping devices and/or vermin control equipment, in or out of the water, must not be interfered with. Such equipment may only be operated and checked by persons authorised by the Management Committee.
29. Fishing is permitted from numbered and/or designated pegs only on all GVAC stillwaters.
30. The consumption of alcohol and/or taking/use of drugs (other than prescription drugs) on GVAC waters is strictly prohibited.
31. On all GVAC waters a landing net must be used to land fish (of all species) that are estimated to weigh 4oz or more.

Special Rules for Needham Lake

 Fishing is permitted from numbered/designated pegs with

metal platform or of wooden construction only, i.e. 1–28,

those along the railway side bank (from and including the

wooden disabled anglers’ platform nearest the car park to

as far as the nature reserve), and the much shorter stretch

along the river side bank (from east of the nature reserve to

as far as peg 28, about half way down the lake bank on the

river side). Anglers may not cast their lines more than 15

metres towards the car park from pegs 1 and 28, i.e., to

their right and left, respectively.

Special Rules for River Gipping Adjacent to Needham Lake
Strictly no angling downriver of the footbridge. The club-controlled stretch

of the Gipping in Needham Market is as follows: The stretch along the

south bank that runs adjacent to the lake (i.e., adjacent to approximately

peg 28 of the lake), upriver into King's Meadow; and those designated

pegs on the north bank beside the picnic site (restaurant side) where

notices are positioned.

Whilst much of the river through the town is free fishing, members should

also note the privately owned stretch that runs from just after the sharp,

left-hand bend to approximately where the houses on the far bank begin;

and that above Alder Carr bridge as far as the weir.

Special Rules for Manor Farm Lakes, Battisford

• Anglers carparking is on the track between the lakes - but not blocking a through access.
• Anglers must respect the privacy of the occupiers of the properties that overlook this venue.

Special Rules for Woody's Lake, Barking

• In the interests of fish welfare, the use of keepnets is not permitted on this lake from 1st April to 15th June each year, both dates inclusive. 
• Cars may no longer be driven or parked along the banks of either lake, unless expressly permitted to do so.
•  There are no day ticket sales for this venue.

Special Rules for Barking Lakes and Battisford Lakes

• Parking on the track between the lakes is now permitted Anglers must respect the privacy of the occupiers of the two houses that overlook this venue. 

ALL REGULATIONS AND RULES TO BE STRICTLY OBSERVED AND ADHERED TO AND ENFORCED WHERE NECESSARY. ANY INFRINGEMENTS MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION AS AGREED BY THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

G.V.A.C STILLWATERS MAY BE FISHED ALL YEAR ROUND.

RIVER CLOSE SEASON: REFER TO ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ROD LICENCE.

(N.B.  Separate rules apply to pike matches)

1. Entries for all matches should be made via the Match Secretary Rupert Parker (Tel 01473 831359).
2. Once drawn, match pegs should not be changed, other than in exceptional circumstances and as agreed by the Match Secretary (or in his absence, his authorised deputy) – see also Rule 11) below.
3. The water surface may only be broken prior to the “all in” for keepnet and other tackle placement, wetting of groundbait, plumbing the depth, shotting of floats etc. Swimfeeders, method feeders and bait droppers must not be used for plumbing the depth. No bait is to be introduced into the water.
4. Any number of rods, poles etc. may be assembled, but only one set of tackle may be used/baited at any one time.
5. All live coarse fish are eligible for weighing in, other than pike and zander. (no game fish).
6. No spinners or artificial lures, live or dead fish are to be used.
7. Whilst fishing, anglers must remain within 2 metres of their baited rods. No lines are to be left unattended in the water or baited on the bank.
8. Assistance may be given to another angler to land fish with a landing net, if requested.
9. The Match Secretary and Assistant Match Secretary have authority to appoint stewards as required.
10. Any complaints about the behaviour of another competitor or any dispute regarding weights or infringement of match rules must be made to the Match Secretary (or in his absence his appointed deputy) before the match results are announced.
11. The decision of the Match Secretary, Assistant Match Secretary or appointed steward(s) shall be final.
12. Minimum keepnet dimensions shall be 2.50 metres (8 feet) by 0.45 metres (18 inches). Nets shall be knotless and, where carp are to be retained, shall be of appropriate construction incorporating approved “carp safe” material.
13. In the interests of fish welfare, large fish or fish in distress may be weighed and recorded individually, if necessary, by the Match Secretary, Assistant Match Secretary or appointed steward.
14. Barbed hooks are not permitted in any GVAC match (home or away), other than micro or whisker barb or pinch-barbless.
15. Anglers must not annoy or approach other competitors uninvited.
16. Competitors shall fish and feed within the reasonable confines of their peg.
17. Surface fishing is not permitted on GVAC waters. All baits to be fished at least 45cm i.e.18 inches (increased to 60cm, 24 inches at Needham Lake) below the surface, (or on the bottom if shallower).
18. Groundbait to be used with consideration and in moderation (maximum 2kg per angler per match).
19. Boilies and nuts are not permitted on GVAC waters. However, boilies are permitted to be used (in moderation) at Needham Lake
20. Whilst fishing away matches or on other clubs’ waters, rules regulations and bait restrictions/allowances applying to that water or host club will be observed and adhered to at all times.
21. The Management Committee may close any GVAC venue for match purposes.