News In Brief
This section provides the situation on our waters, track closures, water closures, general news and site works
Advanced Warning of Lake Closures For Maintenance (updated 15/1/26)
Broom Lake - Broom Lake (including the car park and access to the river) will be closed to members from 5.15pm on Sunday 25 January 2026 until midday on Tuesday 3 February 2026
The Airman - The Airman will be closed for a work party on Saturday 24 January 2026 and all members are invited to attend. Work duration 9am to 1pm. Members not attending must be off by 8am and can re-enter after 3pm. Additionally the Airman will be closed to members from 5.15pm on Sunday 1 February 2026 and reopen on Saturday 7 February 2026
These closures are for tree works undertaken by contractors and are weather dependent, so please keep an eye on social media for any changes to the closure dates.
Rivers
The IPA rules regarding the Biggleswade Back Meadows are clearly set out on the IPA website and on the signs at the fishery. The permitted fishing times for the Back Meadows are 6am to 11pm from 16th June to 30th September and 7am to 7pm from 1st October to 14th March. You can only fish with a single rod and line, no wading and no bivvies. SDAA members were recently asked to leave the Back Meadows by an IPA bailiff as they had set up bivvies and were clearly intent on fishing past the off time. Please note that there is also no overnight fishing on the IPA’s new stretch at the Riddy in Sandy.
Broom Lake Track - Closed
Important Notice: Leadcore and Tackle Safety on SDAA Waters
The use of leadcore is strictly prohibited on all SDAA waters. Any member found using leadcore can expect to face a ban from the club. Within the past week, two catfish have been caught trailing rigs that incorporated leadcore, raising serious concerns about fish welfare.
On 9 August 2025, a 50lb catfish was landed while trailing a rig shown in the photos below. The hooklink had failed to eject from the leadcore leader, and the ‘chod sleeve’ had slid up to the spliced section of the leadcore. This made the splice too large for the hooklink ring to pass over and displace the ‘no trace’ bead, effectively creating a potential death rig.
To protect fish welfare, bailiffs are authorised to inspect members’ rigs. Anyone found using leadcore will be reported to the committee.
Additionally, all SDAA members should be aware that bailiffs may ask anglers to stop fishing and leave the water if their tackle is deemed inadequate or unsafe for the species being targeted. Tackle recommendations for carp, catfish, and pike fishing are provided on page 15 of your SDAA Membership Information Booklet.
Club rules also require that:
Anglers must always have an assembled landing net while fishing.
All members must carry and use an unhooking mat or cradle appropriate for the species being targeted, to prevent fish from being placed on the ground.
