RULES AND REGULATIONS

Governors Lake Rules

Tackle & Equipment

Licences & Membership

All nets, mats, slings, waders and boots must be disinfected at the net dip station before fishing.
Minimum 42” Landing Net must be present with you.
Only barbless hooks allowed—no crimped or micro barbs.
No bent hook rigs. Single hooks only.
Minimum line strength: 15lb.
No rods to be left unattended in the water.
No keepnets or sacks unless given access to one by a member of staff
Unhooking mats or Cradles must be used at all times.
No fixed leads.
No floating bait or nuts permitted.
No zig rigs or surface fishing.
No particle baits (e.g., maize, hemp, etc.).
Bait boats are allowed but must be used with respect for other anglers.
No fish to be moved into or out of the lake.

Handling Fish

Fish must be held below knee level and only over water or an unhooking mat / Craddle.
No standing while holding fish under any circumstances.
Never hold fish over bare ground.
Wading is allowed only for photographing fish, at your own risk.
Fish recovery must be done by hand, in the net.
Carp care kits (e.g. Klinik or Propolis) must be used on all hook holds, abrasions, or wounds before returning the fish.
We are a catch and release fisheries, please return the fish as soon as possible back to the water.
ANY PERSON THAT IS CAUGHT KEEPING / TAKING OR MOVING FISH WILL BE BANNED IMMEDIATLY.

Rod Limits

1st April to 31st October: Max 2 rods.
1st November to 31st March: 3 rods allowed only if there are 2 or fewer anglers on the lake.

You must:

Hold a valid rod licence for 3 rods.
Check with the bailiff for permission before each session.
Be prepared to reduce to 2 rods if others arrive.

Licences & Membership

Fishing is allowed in designated areas only.
New rules may be introduced without notice. Check the notice board in the car park, our website, or social media for updates.
Anything not covered in these rules is at the sole discretion of Rode Hill Fishery.

All anglers must carry a valid EA rod licence and membership card at all times.
If found fishing without a valid licence, your session will be terminated immediately. You’ll have 14 days to present a valid licence or your membership will be revoked.
It is your responsibility to track and renew your membership before expiry. If it lapses, your place will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. You may reapply, but must join the queue.

General Conduct

Gold Members Only allowed on the Governors Lake.
No spectators are allowed on the lake.
Noise levels must be kept to a minimum; no excessive noise at any time.
Alcohol is permitted in moderation only. Anti-social behaviour or possession of illegal substances will result in a ban and be reported to police.
No abuse of any kind (verbal, physical, or online) toward staff or other anglers will be tolerated. Doing so will result in immediate revocation of membership.
Any complaints or suggestions must be submitted in writing to the office or email at fussellbusiness.com; a response will be issued within 7 days.
All sessions must be booked and paid for in advance via the office. If the office is closed, please contact via social media or the bailiff.
Anglers must vacate their swim by 7am or 7pm at session end. Winter hours may vary—updates via social media or upon booking.
Speed limit on site is strictly 5mph.
Night fishing vehicles will be locked on site from 8:00pm to 7:00am. Emergency exits only—call emergency services first if needed.
Members must update their contact details with the office if they change.
Each angler is responsible for their own swim and any litter (including cigarette butts and tea bags).
Always use the toilet facilities provided.
No trespassing into surrounding fields or woodland. Entry or exit outside permitted hours is considered trespassing.
No fires or ground-level BBQs. Raised BBQs only.
No continuous lights at night.
No swimming. Wading is at your own risk (only allowed for fish photos).
No firearms or weapons. Possession will result in a permanent ban and report to police.
Rode Hill Fishery reserves the right to close the lake without notice. Sessions can be rescheduled at no extra cost.
Fish spawning periods may result in temporary lake closures. Anglers must comply without exception.

Site Access & Security

Vehicles must be parked in designated areas for your swim.
No fires or ground-level BBQs. Raised BBQs only.
No continuous lights at night.
No swimming.
Wading is at your own risk (only allowed for fish photos).
No firearms or weapons. Possession will result in a permanent ban and report to police.
Rode Hill Fishery reserves the right to close the lake without notice. Sessions can be rescheduled at no extra cost.
Fish spawning periods may result in temporary lake closures. Anglers must comply without exception.

General Lake Rules

Tackle & Equipment

Licences & Membership

All nets, mats, slings, boots must be disinfected at the net dip station before fishing.
Landing Net must be present with you.
Unhooking mat must be used for all catches.
Only barbless hooks allowed—no crimped or micro barbs.
No bent hook rigs. Single hooks only.
Rod must not be left unattended in the water.
Max 2 rod (3 is acceptable in off peak hours and sessions)
No keepnets or sacks unless given access to one by a member of staff
No fixed leads.
No nuts permitted.
Bait boats are allowed but must be used with respect for other anglers.
No fish to be moved into or out of the lake.
Bait boats are allowed but must be used with respect for other anglers.

All anglers must carry a valid EA rod licence and membership card at all times.
If found fishing without a valid licence, your session will be terminated immediately. You’ll have 14 days to present a valid licence or your membership will be revoked or banned.
It is your responsibility to track and renew your membership before expiry. If it lapses, your place will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. You may reapply, but must join the queue.

Handling Fish

Fish must be held below knee level and only over water or an unhooking mat / craddle.
No standing while holding fish under any circumstances.
Never hold fish over bare ground.
Fish recovery must be done by hand, in the net.
We are a catch and release fisheries, please return the fish as soon as possible back to the water.
ANY PERSON THAT IS CAUGHT KEEPING / TAKING OR MOVING FISH WILL BE BANNED IMMEDIATLY.

Guests are allowed, but if a bailiff has evidence of a guest fishing the guest will be asked to pay a ticket or asked to leave.
Any guest that stays for a 24 hour period must pay for a ticket.
Noise levels must be kept to a minimum; no excessive noise at any time.
Alcohol is permitted in moderation only. Anti-social behaviour or possession of illegal substances will result in a ban and be reported to police.
No abuse of any kind (verbal, physical, or online) toward staff or other anglers will be tolerated. Doing so will result in immediate revocation of membership.
Any complaints or suggestions must be submitted in writing to the office or email at fussellbusiness.com; a response will be issued within 7 days.
All sessions must be booked and paid for in advance via the office, Swimbooker or Clubmate (Frome & District Angling Association). If the office is closed, please contact via social media or the bailiff.
Anglers must vacate their swim by 7.30am, 8pm or at session end (24 hour tickets). Winter hours 7:30am or 6pm or at session end (24 hour tickets) - updates via social media or upon booking.
Speed limit on site is strictly 5mph.
Night fishing vehicles will be locked on site from 8:00pm to 7:30am (Winter hours being 6:00pm to 7:30am.) Emergency exits only—call emergency services first if needed.
Each angler is responsible for their own swim and any litter (including cigarette butts and tea bags).
Always use the toilet facilities provided.
No trespassing into surrounding fields or woodland. Entry or exit outside permitted hours is considered trespassing.

1st April to 31st October: Max 2 rods.
1st November to 31st March: 3 rods allowed only if there are 2 or fewer anglers on the lake.
You must:
Hold a valid rod licence for 3 rods.
Check with the bailiff for permission before each session.
Be prepared to reduce to 2 rods if others arrive.

Rod Limits

Fishing is allowed in designated areas only.
New rules may be introduced without notice. Check the notice board in the car park, our website, or social media for updates.
Anything not covered in these rules is at the sole discretion of Rode Hill Fishery.

Licences & Membership

General Conduct

Site Access & Security

Vehicles must be parked in designated parking areas. (please ask if you need help)
No fires or ground-level BBQs. Raised BBQs only.
No continuous lights at night.
No swimming.
No firearms or weapons. Possession will result in a permanent ban and report to police.
Rode Hill Fishery reserves the right to close the lake without notice. Sessions can be rescheduled at no extra cost.
Fish spawning periods may result in temporary lake closures. Anglers must comply without exception.

Recent Changes: (05/03/2026)

Water bailiff or duty warden will have the right to inspect tackle/ bait on request at any time.

Owner of fishery reserves the right to close fishery for work to be carried out or just routine maintenance by giving a weeks notice via notice board at fishery or on the website.

Pictures of catches can be emailed to the published email address so they can be recorded on the web site along with date, lake and swim if you would like.