REGULATIONS

(Updated November 2025)

1. The year's membership shall run from 15th January to 14th January in the following year

2. CLOSE SEASONS
The Close Seasons for all species shall commence and end on those dates specified by the Environment Agency, unless otherwise determined by a General Meeting.

3. RETAINABLE SPECIES
The only retainable species are: Brown trout and Sea Trout.

4. BAG LIMITS
Any fish retained must be quickly and humanely despatched.

(a) Maximum of two fish per day for Brown Trout.

(b) Two Sea Trout per season (one per day).

Any person who has caught and killed two Sea Trout may continue to fish for Sea Trout providing any further Sea Trout caught are released immediately to the water in which it was caught, with the least possible injury. From and including the 10th September to and including the 30th September following, no person shall retain any female Sea Trout.

Byelaws: Any person who removes any dead Salmon taken from any water shall be guilty of an offence. This byelaw shall not apply to any person who lawfully takes a salmon and returns it immediately to the water with the least possible injury.

(d) Grayling: Mandatory catch and release.

(e) The sale of fish caught on the Association water is prohibited.

(f) The Rivers Petteril, Leith and Lyvennet are catch and release policy only waters.

5. SIZE LIMIT
No Brown trout shall be retained which is less than 10 inches (25cm) in length.

No Sea Trout to be retained which is less than 12 inches (30cm) in length.

6. CATCH AND RELEASE
Barbless or de-barbed hooks are strongly recommended when practicing catch and release.

7. PERMITTED FISHING METHOD FOR EACH SPECIES

(a) Trout: Fly Fishing only, with the exception that worm fishing will be allowed by Junior members less than 14 years of age on Westmorland Holme.

(b) Grayling: Fly Fishing only.
During the closed Trout season, Grayling fishing is allowed only on those waters specified on the association maps and the following rules apply:

Fly Fishing Only
Barbless and de-barbed hooks only
Members and their guests only may fish
Grayling fishing on the Winderwath and Skirwith Abbey stretches ends on 30th October.

(d) Salmon:
Allowed methods are fly fishing and spinning. Barbless or de-barbed hooks only (*restrictions on spinning stated below) on the Rivers Eamont and Eden only (no fishing for Salmon on the River Lowther or any other tributaries)

Please Note: All treble hooks are banned on association waters and only single hooks are allowed to be used on spinning baits.

* Spinning for Salmon is allowed at Coombes Wood, Bell Holme and Anthony Holme from 16th June, and at Bolton Willows and on the River Eamont upstream of the confluence with the River Lowther from 1st September only. No spinning is allowed on any other beats not mentioned above at any time. Any Trout or Grayling caught while spinning for Salmon must be returned at all times.

8. JUNIOR MEMBERS
Junior members under 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

9. IDENTIFICATION
Members must carry proof of membership when on Association waters. This can be either via the Clubmate phone app or a printed copy of the above. Membership is not transferable. Members must be in possession of an Environment Agency rod licence when fishing and show them and their catch when called upon to do so by an authorised PAA bailiff, fellow member or riparian owner. (Please note that a riparian owner is unlikely to have any form of identification) Car stickers must be displayed on cars when parked on the River Petteril.

Anyone found fishing without the above must supply their name and address and leave the water upon being requested to do so.

10. MONETARY GAIN
The use of Association water for tuition, guiding, writing of magazine articles or filming for YouTube or any social media in return for payment shall only be permitted by written agreement of the Committee. The number and frequency of any approvals will be at the discretion of the Committee and strictly limited. Any approval may also be subject to conditions of operation and use.

11. CONDUCT

(a) No dogs are allowed to accompany members or visitors on the Association waters with the exception of the Coombes Wood stretch.

(b) Closed gates must be closed after access. No picnic parties and no lighting of fires. Other than fishing guests a member may be accompanied by one friend who shall not fish or assist in any way. Hooks and line must not be discarded on riverbanks, as these are dangerous to farm animals and wildlife. Damage to the riparian owner's property must be reported to the secretary and/or the riparian owner.

(c) To protect our waters from invasive non-native species, please take precautions when moving from one river to the next. Check, clean and dry, disinfect or immerse fishing items such as waders, boots and nets in water 45°C or over. For further info check our invasive species/biosecurity page or contact your local Environment Agency.

(d) Strictly no camping at any of the association waters or designated parking areas.

(e) All members and their guests are required to observe the Anglers Code of Conduct.

For a full set of Penrith Angling Association Rules and Regulations go here