News In Brief
This section provides the situation on our waters, track closures, water closures, general news and site works
Membership Renewal 2026/27
This is the final reminder for existing SDAA members that the deadline to renew your membership is midnight on Thursday 30 April 2026. Your membership renewal will only be processed once we have received BOTH your renewal application form by post and your payment (either by electronic bank transfer or by enclosing a cheque/postal order). New membership documents will be posted out in late May/early June ahead of the new 2026/27 season. We cannot guarantee being able to offer you SDAA membership if your renewal application is received after the deadline. If you have not received your renewal form please email registrar@shefforddaa.org.uk ASAP.
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.
Status of SDAA Venues
Lake Closures – Important Notice
Willington Lake
Willington Lake will be closed from Thursday 23 April at 18:00 and will reopen on Saturday 25 April at 05:00 to allow essential works to be carried out.
During this period:
Members will not be permitted to access the lake
The closure applies to all activities
We apologise for any inconvenience and thank members for their cooperation while these essential works are completed.
Broom Lake
Broom Lake will be closed from Tuesday 28 April at 18:00 and will reopen on Monday 4 May at 05:00.
The works taking place during this closure include:
Tree works previously notified to members
Repairs to the access track, enabling the track to be reopened to vehicles
For safety reasons, members must not access the lake during the closure period.
