News In Brief
This section provides the situation on our waters, track closures, water closures, general news and site works
The Airman and Willington
The Airman will be closed to fishing and out of bounds to members from 9am on Saturday 16th August 2025 to 9am Sunday 17th August 2025. The closure is to allow the safe spraying of weeds to maintain access for members. If rain or high winds are forecast the closure will be postponed and moved to a later date.
Broom and Willington Lakes will remain open
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 - OPEN
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.
Several members have recently been asked to leave SDAA waters for failing to meet these requirements.
Fish safety is paramount. Please ensure your rigs and tackle comply fully with SDAA rules to help protect the health and welfare of the fish we all enjoy catching.
