Wynnstay Lake Rules and Membership Agreement

Updated rules document based on Wynnstay Lake’s published rules and membership information, with approved syndicate amendments included.

1. Main fishery rules

• 3 rods maximum at all times.
• No fixed leads. All rigs must be safe and must be able to lose the lead in the event of a line breakage.
• Members agree to rig checks upon bailiff request.
• Only micro barbed hooks are permitted.
• No braided main lines. All mainline must have a breaking strain of at least 15 lb and diameter of 0.35 mm.
• Bait boats are permitted but are to be used sparingly and in a courteous manner.
• 1 bivvy maximum per swim; no tents or gazebo-style shelters.
• Only one angler per swim unless prior arrangement with a bailiff is in place, for example a junior angler.
• Members must respect all other anglers and swim boundaries at all times.
• No vehicles of any kind are to enter the fishery further than the gate at peg 1 unless prior vehicle access has been approved by admin, including for Blue Badge holders and other confirmed vehicle access holders.
• Landing nets must be 42 inches minimum width, with at least one per angler and no sharing.
• Landing nets should be dry before starting to fish.
• A retention sling must be used to safely carry fish from lake to cradle.
• Where possible the rig should be removed from the fish’s mouth before it leaves the water; if this is not possible, the rig should be removed from the line or leader so that only the net and retention sling are carried to the mat or cradle.
• Anglers should use a large padded high-sided mat or cradle to keep fish safe while out of the water and while photos are being taken, minimum one per angler with no sharing. Equipment should be dry before starting to fish.
• Fish being photographed must be photographed over the cradle and members should not carry fish anywhere else without the use of a retention sling.
• No fish may be kept in storage at any time; no keepnets and no sacks. A retention sling must be used to safely carry fish from lake to cradle.
• Carp care antiseptic or propolis must be used by each angler.
• Anglers must not be any more than 20 metres away from their fishing rods when their rigs are in the water, and they must be in possession of a working receiver at all times they exit their swim.
• All cooking equipment and BBQs must be raised off the ground.
• No litter to be left at the fishery at any time.
• Do not leave unused bait in the margins, as this encourages rats.
• Particles and tiger nuts are allowed between 1 May and 30 September but should only be used sparingly.
• All particles must be properly prepared and fully cooked before use, with a preference for professional suppliers rather than home-prepared bait.
• Maggots are only allowed between 1 November and 31 March.
• Never hold fish with a cloth, stand up with a fish, or walk about whilst holding a fish.
• No fish may be removed from the site and no alien fish may be added to Wynnstay Lake. Anyone caught doing either will be prosecuted and removed from membership.
• Members should keep cameras ready and have neighbouring anglers’ mobile numbers available so fish can be returned to the water as quickly as possible after photographs.

2. Courtesy code

• Maximum 72 hours per peg per session.
• Maximum 48 hours per peg per session during prime periods, defined as Friday and Saturday.
• Maximum 72 hours per peg per session during prime periods only when the weekend includes a bank holiday.
• Members can only book the same peg once per month regardless of session length.
• Maximum one bivvy per member.
• Maximum 3 rods per member.
• Each member may bring one non-fishing guest during the day. No guests may stay overnight without permission.
• No fires of any kind at any time.
• Dogs are by permission only; all dog mess must be cleaned and removed from site, and permitted dogs must be on a lead at all times.
• Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but drunkenness and the use of illegal substances are not permitted at any time.
• No loud music at any time.
• No anti-social behaviour of any kind will be tolerated.
• No bright night lights.
• No litter; all rubbish must be taken home. Members who leave litter will have their membership revoked.
• Slingshots are for bait only.
• Members wishing to pre-bait must first check with any nearby members already on the lake and obtain their permission before pre-baiting in the area.
• No shooting, guns or firearms of any kind are permitted onsite unless expressly authorised in advance by the lake owner.

Guest anglers

Each member may bring a guest angler for three days, meaning 24 hours, per season, and those days may be taken singularly or collectively.

This is subject to the following conditions:

• The member must notify the admin team at least 48 hours before the visit and request that the guest is booked onto a separate peg when available; if no peg is available, the request will be declined or deferred.
• Members bringing guests are responsible for their guests’ behaviour and must fish in the next peg to them.
• Guest peg bookings may be made up to two weeks in advance, subject to availability and admin approval. All guest bookings must be paid in full in advance to confirm the reservation. Payment must be made by BACS or PayPal, with cash accepted only in exceptional circumstances and by prior agreement. A unique payment reference will be provided for each booking and must be quoted with the payment to ensure correct allocation of funds and full transparency for the lake owner. In the event of cancellation by either the member or the guest, all guest booking payments are strictly non-refundable.
• Guests must fish from their own allotted peg and are not allowed to fish from the same peg as the member, except where a guest requires a carer or other registered assistance, or when the guest is a minor.
• The guest must enter and exit the fishery with the member.
• The gate codes must not be shared with a guest at any time.
• Members have priority over guests during busy periods.
• The guest must hold a national licence for non-migratory trout and coarse fish.
• The guest must read and abide by the membership rules.
• Guests at weekends are by bailiff discretion only.

Non-fishing guests and checks

Any member inviting visitors to the lake, whether fishing or not, must clear it with a bailiff beforehand because the lake is private and strictly for members only.

Phil Flaherty is appointed as the lake’s bailiff, and Rick Pritchard is the local environment officer. Members must, on request, produce their receipt or agreement to fish and national rod licence.

Owners and bailiffs may request removal of lines from the water to ensure that correct rigs and hooks are being used, and owners reserve the right to close the water without notice in an emergency or for repairs.

Any predators, especially cormorant, goosander, otter, and mink, should be noted with site and numbers details and passed to a bailiff.

3. Logistics

The entrance for all members is the wooden gate with access along the Grand Avenue. The padlock code is issued to members at the start of the season and updates are notified by email or phone. Members should close the gate at all times because sheep may be in the area and because it helps deter non-members.

Dropping off equipment at the Hall end of the lake is allowed because there is a right of way, but members must not drive along the playing field side of the lake. All cars must be parked in the designated car park and must not obstruct the cabin entrance.

As a courtesy to all members, no vehicles are allowed along the peg side of the lake. Green permit or disability badge holders may drop off and collect only by special permission.

Wynnstay Fishing & Conservation Ltd owns land and fishing completely around the lake; however, ownership on the hall or playing field side is six metres from the water’s edge. Members are not allowed to fish from the hall or playing field side, but they can use it to pre-bait.

The club is not insured for fishing from boats. It is insured for the feed boat and for maintenance of the banks and island. Members must not put boats or inflatables of any kind onto the water.

Mini or remote-controlled bait boats are allowed, but they must be returned to the bank after depositing bait. Any damage or loss to bait boats is the owner’s responsibility.

The club reserves the right to refuse entry or evict anglers or guests without prior notice.

4. Health and safety

Personal care around the water must be taken at all times. The average depth is approximately 6 feet and falling into the water could easily result in drowning. There are five safety buoyancy rings around the lake and members must familiarise themselves with their locations, especially in the dark.

The woodland side of the lake has several older trees and branches can fall, causing serious injury. Although hazardous trees and limbs have been removed following a tree survey, members must check their surroundings when fishing, especially when positioning bivvies.

Wynnstay Fishing & Conservation Ltd holds public liability and fishing insurance for members, with a copy posted in the portaloo. The club does not accept responsibility for theft or damage to members’ equipment or vehicles, so members should ensure their own insurance covers those items.

A first aid box can be found in the portaloo, all accidents must be reported to Barry Cooke immediately, and the nearest A&E is Wrexham Hospital.

No wet wipes, sanitary products, or any similar items are to be put into the toilet. Toilet paper only is to be flushed; all other items must be disposed of appropriately.

The health of the fish stock is treated as a top priority. Care while landing, unhooking, and prompt return to the water are vital, because older fish and especially grass carp can become stressed very quickly and may die within days after poor treatment.

5. Internet bookings

An internet booking system is included within the Wynnstay Fishing website for members. It is intended to allow members, especially those travelling from farther away, to book ahead and guarantee a chosen swim or peg.

It is not essential for full or midweek members to book, and members can still turn up on the day. However, a reserved peg has priority and a member setting up on what appears to be a vacant peg may be asked to move if that peg has been pre-booked. Associate members must book ahead via internet or phone.

The system currently allows full and midweek members to book one month in advance and associate members one week in advance. The 24-hour booking period runs from midday to midday the following day.

Full membership allows fishing at any time during the season, including bank holidays. Midweek membership allows fishing from Sunday midday to Friday midday, excluding bank holidays. Associate members can fish any day to their maximum seasonal allowance except bank holidays.

Members are responsible for keeping their contact details up to date at all times with the admin team.

Prime periods are classed as weekends and bank holiday weekends. Because weekends are prime periods, members should not book a session for more than 48 hours per peg per session during Friday and Saturday, except on a bank holiday weekend when the maximum rises to 72 hours.

Members can only book the same peg once per month regardless of session length.

For members without internet access, or for members with specific forward holiday dates, telephone bookings can be made via a bailiff.

As a courtesy to all members, any member unable to keep a scheduled booking must release it from the booking system prior to the session start date, or via a bailiff if the session date has started. This must be done within the first 6 hours of any session maximum; no changes are permitted later than this.

Members of the Facebook group are encouraged to post when a peg is freed up. Failure to release a booking that will not be fulfilled will be logged as a no-show on the member’s account.

For any administrative issues, peg booking queries or winter ticket booking enquiries, please contact the administration team at [email protected].

Pegs are numbered 1 to 12, with new numbers 5a and 5b and 6a and 6b. All are clearly marked on site and within the online booking section site map.

6. Membership agreement

The Wynnstay syndicate season runs from 1 June to 31 May.

Upon receipt of £500 for full membership, or £425 for midweek membership, members are allowed to fish at Wynnstay Lake during the applicable season.

Guest fees are £25 per 24 hours.

Work parties

Full and midweek members are required to attend two work parties per season.

Members who attend a work party receive one work party credit worth a £25 deduction off membership renewal fees, up to a maximum of two credits worth £50 per season.

Upon renewal, work party credits are deducted from the following season’s fees, up to the same maximum of £50. Work party credits have no other value except against renewal fees.

Work parties are held at various times during the season to accommodate both midweek and full memberships, with as much forward notice as possible.

Concessions from work party duties for members of UK pensionable age and/or registered disabled members are considered individually on application in advance. No other concessions are available.

Renewals and payments

Existing members have first refusal for renewal the following season, subject to compliance with the rules.

Existing midweek members also have first refusal for any full memberships that become available each year.

The renewal window is between 1 May and 1 June each year and no payments are accepted outside these dates.

Payments must be made in full unless there are exceptional circumstances, and payments must be for the correct amount.

New membership and renewal fees without work party credits are £500 for full membership and £425 for midweek membership.

Members with valid work party credits should pay the reduced rates based on £25 per credit, with a maximum of two credits.

If a member is unsure of their work party credit status, they should check with a bailiff before making payment.

Failure to make the correct payment renders the member’s account inactive until corrected.

Members who have not renewed by 1 June have their account deactivated and their place may be offered to anglers on the waiting list.

New memberships and membership renewals are offered at the discretion of Wynnstay Angling and Conservation, subject to adherence to the rules.

Non-adherence to the rules may result in cancellation of membership without refund.

We operate a zero tolerance to verbal and physical abuse towards our members, and any member found to have breached this will be removed from the syndicate instantly and without warning.

Wynnstay Admin, March 2026.