The Stibbington Fishery is a fairly open section of the main river and starts just below the village of Sutton slightly to the west of the A1 trunk road. The lower limit is at Castor Weir where the next P&DAA water starts. The best access point is at The Nene Valley Railway,Wansford Station on The Old Great North Road at Stibbington postcode PE8 6LR as shown on the map above. Please park on the road not in the station car park and respect the disabled spaces close to the bridge. This can be busy at times when the railway are running special events (check their website). There is a shop and café at the station as well as steam train rides which usually operate at weekends and school holidays. A 24 hour truck stop a few hundred yards up the road provides refreshements at reasonable prices.
Stibbington Fishery is a very mixed fishery and any of the river species (except barbel) may be encountered here. Pike to over 20lbs are regulary caught and perch to around the 4lb mark are also present. Around the railway bridge is the prime spot for silver fish, especially in the winter, as the water is deep around here. Towards the downstream limit where the electricty pylons cross is the long time home of a big bream shoal and once you get them feeding you could be in for a very good netfull. Chub show up anywhere along the stretch but it is always worth searching out the obvious features and keeping on the move. Five pounders are fairly common and sixes show up every season.
Please note, livestock are grazed in the meadows including long horn cattle.
1. Fishing of any kind is not permitted on any of the Association’s river waters during the close season, 15th March to 15th June inclusive, with the exception of Ferry Meadows lakes and Thorpe Meadows Basin.
2. No night fishing is permitted on any P&DAA waters. Anglers may commence fishing one hour before sunrise and cease one hour after sunset.
3. The use of live freshwater fish as bait is not allowed, only pre-packed shop bought dead bait.
4. Keepnets are permitted. These must be fish friendly and a minimum of 3 metres long. They must be secured correctly so as not to cause any damage, stress or fatality to the fish. Pleasure anglers at Ferry Meadows are permitted to use keepnets only for the retention of silverfish up to 2lb. Bream, other than in matches, must not be retained and must be released upon capture. For matches at Ferry Meadows a minimum of 2 nets must be used with a limit of 50lb per net. On the river there is a 50lb limit per net. Other than in matches, keep nets may not be used to hold specimen fish such as pike, carp or barbel.
5. No fish may be killed or taken away. All fish (including eels) must be returned to the water alive after they have had sufficient time to recover.
6. Landing nets must be used at all times. Nets must be of a 30” minimum size for all specimen and predator fishing including, but not limited to, pike, zander, carp and barbel.
7. Unhooking mats must always be used for fish on the bank. Do not place fish on the ground even if it appears soft and wet. All photography over an unhooking mat and never when stood up.
8. Lead Ban: The following lead shot sizes are not allowed to be used, Swan to No. 6 inclusive and also leger weights up to 1 oz. The allowable exceptions are Swim Feeders where lead is an integral component.
9. No more than three rods may be used at any one time (rod licence(s) to cover the number of rods in use. However, on ALL BACKWATERS anglers may only use one rod.
10. The use of multiple hooks is not allowed. The exception being when an integral part of a lure or to secure a deadbait when predator fishing. The use of gaffs, gags or lip grippers is not permitted. No trolling on P&DAA waters.
11. Overhead Wires: For your safety, fishing is not allowed within 30 metres of any overhead cables and power lines.
12. Anglers must park with consideration, not block any gateway or entrance when parking their vehicle and respect all signage present.
13. Anglers may take their dogs with them when fishing but must keep them under control at all times. They are also responsible for clearing up their dog’s waste and taking it away.
14. Anglers are expected to remove all litter from the bank side, even though they may not be responsible for its being there. Remember discarded fishing tackle is a danger to wildlife.
15. Anglers are reminded that our waters are shared by other users who must be shown respect at all times.
16. Members of our Bailiff team carry ID badges and patrol regularly to check all anglers who use the Association’s Waters have the appropriate documentation and equipment to meet the conditions laid out in the Rules. They will check for proof of membership, day tickets and rod licences. Any abuse or obstruction to a Bailiff is not acceptable and will lead to a loss of membership of the Association and a ban from fishing any of the Association’s waters. Camping, fires, barbecues and excess alcohol are not allowed at any time. The Association reminds its members that the fishing rights are granted by the generosity of our landowners and damage caused to crops, fences or property could result in the loss of these rights. Members are asked to report any damage or vandalism to a Bailiff or any of the Association’s Officers. Please also be aware that any contravention of the above Rules by an angler could lead to a fishing ban from the Association’s waters.
PLEASE ABIDE BY ALL SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES AND FOLLOW ALL CURRENT GOVERNMENT GUIDANCE REGARDING COVID-19 SAFETY
