General Information:
The River Crossens or the Sluice as it is known locally is the longest and deepest drain of the Association waters which was originally dug in the 17th century to drain the waters of the vast Martin Mere. Members have access to the full length of the river Crossens starting near the pumping station at Banks stretching to Mere Brow.
The Sluice has a section with facilities for disabled anglers and with wheelchair access which is situated off the A565 Water Lane. Also, the Match length has plenty of platforms close to the locked access car park that offer easy access for those members who mobility is limited. Further details over fishing areas are in the location section below.
Known Species:
The waters hold Bream up to 7lb, specimen Tench to 9lbs plus and Pike up to 22lbs. There are also large numbers of Roach, Rudd, Perch, skimmers & hybrids, Eels & Carp up to 15lb.
Venue Specific rules:
No night fishing, dawn to dusk only.
Dogs are not allowed on ANY of the drains. Anyone encountered with a dog on the drains system while not on a public footpath will be told to leave immediately.
No fishing from the bridges.
The drains are designated as a river system. To that end, the close season applies to all the waters in the system (15th March – 15th June inclusive).
The use of alcohol and other illegal substances is banned on all club waters.
No naked flames are allowed on any of the drains, due to the restrictive access provided on the banks and the heightened risk of fire due to dry grass in the summer months.
Please stay on the roads or paths and park in the appointed car parks at all the SDAA locations. Members may only access the waters by the routes shown on the maps.
Special platforms are available, on the Water Lane section of the river Crossens, for disabled anglers. This does not restrict other members from using the platforms, but they must move if the platform is required by a disabled angler. Any complaints received from disabled members about abuse of this situation will be taken very seriously.
An SDAA key is required for the Match length, Six fields and the Sluice farm.
Location:
Accessible lengths of the River Crossens start (upstream) at Berry House at Holmeswood, just off Wiggins Lane. Moving downstream, the next accessible location is Six Fields Covert, where there is access for around 6 anglers, between the road bridge and the mouth of the Long Ditch. Further down is Sluice Farm, where there are 22 platforms between the bridges, as well as plenty of room for angling downstream. The next access is at First Plank bridge, which is the access to the Match Length which has 27 platforms, and finally is the access to the section at Water Lane.
SPECIAL NOTICES Motor cars must not be taken on the Estate roads which give access to Association waters, except where permission has been granted by special arrangements as follows:-
SIX FIELDS COVERT & SLUICE FARM
CAR ACCESS
Access MUST be made from Banks Roundabout via Gravel Lane and the track (Mere Lane) on the right hand side of Leighton Oils Ltd. The parking areas are situated on the left hand side of the track next to the bridges and are clearly visible. Members MUST Park in the areas provided and not on the Estate roads or any other place.
Parking:
what3words:
Berry House: riskiest.delivers.lecturing
Six Fields Covert: messy.relax.roosts
Sluice Farm: showdown.important.coupler
1st Plank: proud.shiny.wells
Water Lane (Gate): soils.sharp.chief
Water Lane (Car Park): onion.orchestra.bother
Water Lane section: There are two car parks here. The first is for approximately 5-6 cars, immediately adjacent to the gate at Station Rd. At the end of the track, there’s another car park (next to the disabled pegs) which will easily accommodate 10 cars.
Please do not park behind the pegs on the Water Lane section. Anyone found parking vehicles anywhere other than in the car parks will be told to move immediately.
ALL OTHER PARKING: These are for members only. SDAA keys are required for access to the water.
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