Members Obligations
01) All Members must be in possession of a valid Environment Agency Rod licence if they wish to fish MSA owned and controlled waters.02) All Members must carry a screen-shot, or paper version of Clubmate membership details. All Members must produce this proof of membership if requested to do so by any Bailiff, Officer or any other MSA Member.
03) Junior members aged 13 years and above may fish unaccompanied on MSA owned / controlled still-waters. No Junior Members are permitted to fish unaccompanied any of the rivers owned / controlled by MSA – they must be accompanied by an Adult or Senior Member at all times.
04) Access to all MSA waters is by way of main entrances only. Members must keep strictly to the paths and pass to and from the waters in a quiet and unobtrusive manner. Motor vehicles and cycles must be parked only in the allotted places. All gates must be closed. Members should refer to and be fully conversant in all / any specific guidance for parking and accessing each MSA owned or controlled water they visit by referring to the instructions on the MSA web-site / Clubmate. This includes any temporary guidance as deemed appropriate by ExCo.
05) Where waters have permanent pegs or swims, fishing is only permitted from these areas.
06) All fish must be returned unharmed to the water from which they were caught. Trout may be retained in accordance with the appropriate bye-laws governing size limit and numbers taken and / or the guidance set out for each and any MSA owned or controlled water.
07) The retaining of fish in keepnets for long periods should be avoided. If keepnets are used, carp and silver fish should be retained in separate nets. This includes in all competitions. Any temporary change to this rule for example the prohibiting of keepnets in summer heat / low water levels, is at the discretion of ExCo and will be communicated by way of signs and / or the MSA web-site / Clubmate. Carp sacks are prohibited on all MSA waters.
08) All members fishing for pike, carp and barbel in MSA owned and controlled waters must have both an unhooking mat and an appropriate sized landing net of a minimum of 36 inches diameter with them.
09) Live-baiting (i.e. with live fish) is prohibited on all MSA owned and controlled waters. This includes the catching of bait fish on the proposed day of use as a live-bait. No bait fish are to be caught and killed for the purpose of fishing with a dead-bait.
10) Members may not fish with any more than two rods at any one time other than at Balcombe Lake and Ardingly Reservoir where a maximum of three rods may be used at any one time. Both / all rods must be fished in the same swim and must not be left unattended. If three rods are used, then the appropriate EA Licence must be held.
11) All litter, waste line & other refuse, including cigarette butts must be taken home.
12) Boating or bathing is prohibited on all MSA owned and controlled waters. Bait boats are not permitted on MSA waters other than Balcombe Lake and Ardingly Reservoir.
13) Fires are prohibited (except on organised working parties for maintenance purposes) as are BBQs on all MSA controlled and owned waters.
14) Radios and / or musical instruments must not be played on MSA owned and controlled waters. The use of mobile telephones is permitted, but volume should be limited so as not to disturb other anglers’ enjoyment.
15) Any type of bait or ground-bait that is left over at the end of a fishing session must
not be disposed of on the bankside or thrown into the water.
16) All hooks must be barbless or whisker / micro-barbed.
17) Where night fishing is permitted, Members may remain on a fishery for up to 48 hours, and cannot return within at least 24 hours.
18) No picnics are allowed on any MSA owned or controlled waters.
19) Members are not permitted to bring dogs or guns on to MSA owned or controlled waters.
20) Members are not permitted to bring alcohol or drugs on to any MSA owned or controlled waters.
21) Members must report any instances or suspected pollution to the Environment Agency on 0800 807060.
22) Guest Permits may be purchased by Members before fishing commences via Clubmate. Guest Permits can be purchased for all MSA controlled or owned waters other than the River Ouse at East Maskalls and Ardingly Reservoir. In respect of Ardingly Reservoir Day Tickets can be purchased via Clubmate.
23) No fishing is allowed on any MSA owned or controlled waters where there is a scheduled competition. Members must vacate the fishery no later than 2 hours prior to commencement of the competition, and cannot commence fishing until at least 1 hour after the competition has finished. All official competitions are detailed on Clubmate and / or will be notified to Members via the MSA web-site / e-mail communication. Informal competitions may take place on MSA waters if sanctioned by ExCo, but the water fished will remain open to all Members.