Burghfield Main Lake Membership Rules

Membership runs 1st April – 31st March each year.

As a member you are required to comply with the following rules:

  1. Your annual membership ID card (digital) must be with you when fishing or visiting the complex. Random checks will be made by bailiffs, you will need to show your membership ID card (digital) when requested – show on smartphone alongside your current Environmental Agency rod license.
  2. Members may fish for up to a maximum of 4 days on the lake and then 48hrs off the lake. Whether on for a 1-4 night session you need to be off the lake for a minimum of 48hrs. 
  3. Pingewood Island swims Pegs 64 -67, are open to members on a trial basis with a maximum of 48hrs sessions then 7 days off the Pingewood Island. This is to allow as many members to enjoy this area. You are allowed to fish the remaining 48 hrs in other areas of the lake. Bait boats will be allowed on Pingewood Island on a trial basis however please do not go into other members swims or fish further than you can cast.
  4. Only members are permitted on site with no guests, no fishing at other lakes other than Burghfield Main Lake (i.e. Burghfield River, Blue Pool and Gold Lake are not part of the syndicate).
  5. Gates must be locked at all times when not in use. If for some reason you lose the codes, please contact the office on 01425 674951 or our head bailiff team (Matthew Slade 07549842380 & Garry Dickson 07979234649).
  6. Anyone fishing/walking in the out of bounds areas will lose their membership. Only designated swims may be fished. Out of bounds areas are in red and white shading on the map. You can fish to the waters around Searle’s Farm as we have the fishing rights but please keep your rigs at least 2 metres away from the area.
  7. Pegs 42+43 (Compound swim/Car Park swims on Searle’s Farm Lane) are officially owned by the JMould estate and Advanced Angling have the fishing rights – these swims are available for members to fish and if there are any disputes about this area please contact the office on 01425 674951 or our leadership team Matthew Slade 07549842380, Garry Dickson 07979234649 or Danny Rigby 07572896626. If there is any threatening behaviour from any persons please contact the police 999.
  8. Pingewood Road North swims at pegs 60-63 are still open to members on a trial basis. Anglers are not permitted to use bait boats at any time on pegs 60-63. Please be patient and respectful to the ski club who use this area as a turning point. Parking is only allowed by the roadside so please be mindful of the neighbours.
  9. All anglers must use the following:
    •  A large dry landing net at least 42” inches wide.
    •  A large dry padded unhooking mat big enough for a 60lb plus carp, minimum 37” x 32” (preferably cradles to be used).
    • A large dry weight sling at least 42” inches wide.
    • Under no circumstances should a fish be carried in your arms.
    • Fish must always be transported from the un-hooking mat to the water in a retention sling. Do not leave fish in the sling for more than 30 mins from 1st May- end October. From 1st Nov- End April Carp retaining slings are permitted at night but must be securely tied up – fish must be returned ASAP after daylight/pictures taken.
    • All fish caught must be returned to the water as soon as possible after weighing and photographs (no more than 3 minutes out of the water).
    • When taking a photograph of the fish always have one knee down, never stand up with the fish. Ensure you have a bucket of water to keep the fish cool.
  10. Keepnets are not permitted. 
  11. Strictly no moving of fish under any circumstances. Advanced Angling will ban and seek to prosecute anyone found doing so.
  12. No rod may be left unattended with bait or hook in the water. 3 rods are permitted per angler.
  13. Minimum of 15lbs breaking strain for line to be used when fishing for carp and pike. For smaller species such as tench, roach, perch and silvers, lighter tackle is allowed. Any break off or damages to tackle or line must be reported to the bailiff team.
  14. No barbless hooks above size 14, 16, 18, etc.
  15. No fixed leads or death rigs.
  16. Pike fishing is between the 1st October and the 31st March where separate pike rules are to be observed – speak with our office on 01425 674951.
  17. We only allow quality frozen/fresh baits on our waters. Shelf life baits are banned. Unused bait must not be thrown into lake at the end of sessions. Tiger nuts can be used if prepared properly and used sparingly.
  18. Boating is not permitted.
  19. Bait boats are permitted on the lake- except from pegs 60-63. However NO bait boating between 1st July – 30th September due to weed. If weed develops sooner in the year and we need to stop bait boating earlier than 1st July, this will be communicated by the head bailiff via the membership WhatsApp group. Please do not use bait boats in the Pulleyn family waters (see red lines on the map) or near the ski club buoys or whilst the ski boat is in use. Bait boats no longer need to be tethered but must be kept within a responsible distance, especially to promote fish safety, i.e. as a guide, if you can’t cast to it normally, don’t put your bait boat there. Bailiffs are not available at a drop of a hat for recovery, no recovery will be made once it starts getting dark, with a fee of £25 for each recovery attended. Do not take a boat out to recover your bait boat (no boating). If we see abuse of these bait boat rules the specific member will be banned.
  20. Do not cast towards the buoys to avoid snagging.
  21. Do not place bait in an area that you cannot extract the fish from safely.
  22. Braided line and leadcore is allowed on this venue.
  23. Suitable quality fish care solutions must be used on hookholds or abrasions.
  24. When setting rods on alarms, please use your off-switch to maintain the peace on the lake. Constant beeping is not acceptable.
  25. Any form of abuse to the bailiff team will not be tolerated and will result in loss of membership.
  26. Whilst alcohol is not banned from the complex, drunken behaviour and any alcohol, drug or solvent abuse will not be tolerated and anyone found under the influence will have their membership taken away.
  27. A reasonable standard of behaviour is expected at all times, meaning no shouting, loud music, using bright torches or any other anti-social behaviour. Please be considerate at all times to other anglers and neighbours.
  28. Wading is permitted but only up to thigh level. No swimming at any time.
  29. Care and respect for the site should be shown at all times including no cutting or climbing of trees unless authorised by leadership team.
  30. No litter will be tolerated. At the end of your session please take your litter home with you.
  31. The toilet available is at Cottage Lane (Gold Lake). Please use these as anyone caught defecating in the undergrowth will be asked to leave. Please leave toilet facilities as you wish to find them. It’s essential that nobody puts any bagged waste in the toilet.
  32. Dogs are to be kept on leads at all times and please dispose of all waste appropriately.
  33. Barbeques or any fires are NOT permitted by the lake due to the high risk of fire hazard, only proper cooking equipment is to be used and must always be supervised.
  34. Burghfield Main lake car parking areas are at Cottage Lane pegs 1-41 (near Gold lake, however do not use Gold Lake and Blue Pool car parks) or Searle’s Farm Lane (Compound car park at pegs 42-43). There is to be no parking of any vehicles on Searles Farm lane, your equipment must be barrowed to the swims from compound car park. The lay-by at the entrance to Searles Farm lane can be used for Pegs 46-51 Alsatian Bay, but a maximum of 3 vehicles only can be parked here at one time (please be aware the public use this lay-by so always park responsibly). Pingewood Road North car park is permanently closed so please park tightly on the Pingewood road North roadside to access pegs 52-67. You can also use The Cunning Man Pub car park RG30 3RB however you will need to buy a drink and register your car number plate with them. There is also a small slip way opposite the pub for up to 3 cars which the public uses. With all these areas don’t leave valuables in vehicles. 
  35. Any fish found distressed, diseased or dead should be reported to the bailiff team as soon as possible. Sightings of otters and mink should also be reported to the bailiff team.
  36. All fish, irrespective of size and species should be treated with the same respect.
  37. Please keep away from the crayfish nets and do not remove them.
  38. All members are expected to help out alongside the bailiff team in some capacity on >2 work parties on the Burghfield Main Lake per year – more information will be communicated by the bailiffs on the Burghfield Work Parties WhatsApp group (please contact bailiff Danny Rigby on 07572896626 for more details and dates).
  39. When the fish are spawning the lake will be closed for fishing for a period of at least 14 days. You can still walk the lake and feed areas. We understand the fish will spawn more than once, in the event that only small groups of fish gather to spawn then certain areas of the lake will be closed. If a large group of fish spawn together then the lake will close completely for fishing. Notifications will be sent via WhatsApp as soon as the lake is closed and again when it is appropriate to reopen.
  40. No drones are to be used on the Burghfield complex AT ANY TIME, unless prior permission has been given by Advanced Angling or the local authority.
  41. Members must read and comply with the following terms and conditions as found at this link – https://www.advanced-angling.com/our-venues/burghfield-main-lake/terms-and-conditions/
  42. Anglers fish at Advanced Angling Venues at their own risk however in case of emergency please use following Procedure below;

Emergency Procedure: Administer first aid where necessary. Contact emergency services if appropriate.

List of contacts:

  1. Emergency Services: 999
  2. Matt Slade Head Bailiff: 07549842380
  3. Garry Dickson Deputy Head Bailiff: 07979234649
  4. Philip Greenacre Group Director: 01425 674951 or 07968193707
  5. Inform us at info@advanced-angling.com

Any infringement on the above rules, terms and conditions will result in disciplinary action or the loss of your membership with no refund given. We understand that experienced anglers already observe these rules and we hope you enjoy this historic water.

We would request photographs of any fish caught over 30lbs sent to us at: info@advanced-angling.com

Revised March 2022