GAPS Species Rules – Latest Club Rules
Please find the latest GAPS Species Rules covering Carp, Predator (Lake & River), Specimen, and Match/General fishing. Perch coming soon.
The rules include important information on fishing seasons, line and hook requirements, permitted and banned baits, net sizes, unhooking mats, fish retention, rigs, and required tools.
⚠️ Please make sure you read and understand the rules before fishing any GAPS water.
Important: All nets and unhooking equipment must be completely dry before being brought to the lake. Wet nets can spread disease.
| Species | Carp | Predator [Lake] | Predator [River] | Specimen | Match / General | Perch/Lure/Micro Lure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 1 June to 31 May | Start date AFTER 1 October as advised by Committee Close 31 March The pike fishing season may be ended prematurely if pike commence spawning | 16 June to 14 March inclusive For Pike fishing – follow Predator [Lake] rules | 1 June to 31 May | 1 June to 31 May | Coming Soon |
| Line requirements | No Braid mono 15lb minimum | Minimum breaking strain main lines: mono 15lb, braid 20lb Wire traces min 18″ long 20lb breaking strain | Perch/chub – Appropriate for species | No Braid Mono suitable for target species | No Braid Mono suitable for target species | Coming Soon |
| Hooks | Micro-barbed or barbless only Maximum size 4 | Semi barbed or barbless trebles to be used on all traces Wire traces min 18″ long 20lb breaking strain | Micro-barbed or barbless only | Micro-barbed or barbless only | Micro-barbed or barbless only | Coming Soon |
| Permitted baits | Boilies – loose feeding permitted in moderation Prepared article baits including nuts Natural baits – worm, maggot etc | Sea Dead baits Metal spoons Lures Blast frozen coarse dead baits | Metal spoons Lures Blast frozen coarse dead baits Rubber lures Boilies Prepared particle Natural baits – worm, maggot etc | Boilies Prepared particle Natural baits – worm, maggot etc | Boilies Prepared particle Natural baits – worm, maggot etc | Coming Soon |
| Banned Baits | No Fake or Plastic Baits No live bait No Dog biscuit – use floating pellet or pop-up No rig foam | No live bait | No live bait | No Fake or Plastic Baits No live bait No Dog biscuit – use floating pellet or pop-up No rig foam | No Fake or Plastic Baits No live bait No Dog biscuit – use floating pellet or pop-up No rig foam | Coming Soon |
| Net Size | Minimum 42in/100cm | Minimum 36in / 90cm | Suitable for target species | Suitable for target species | Suitable for general fishing | Coming Soon |
| Unhooking Ma | Yes – with sides or cradle style | Yes – preferably with sides | Yes | Yes – preferably with sides | Good practice | Coming Soon |
| Fish retention | Retained for as short a period as possible, and NOT overnight, in approved sacks or retainers Retaining time should be reduced in times of warm weather | Pike should be netted and not “chinned” for safety of the fish and angler when removing from the water | Retained for as short a period as possible, and NOT overnight, in approved sacks or retainers Retaining time should be reduced in times of warm weather | Keepnet for MAX 6 hours Minimum 10ft long and appropriate for quantity of fish Observe any local or temporary Keepnet rules | Coming Soon | |
| Leads/Rigs | No fixed leads | No fixed leads Visual bite indication must be used Free lining of baits is not permitted | No fixed leads | No fixed leads | Coming Soon | |
| Tool kit | Appropriately sized disgorger | Tools to consist of at least long & short forceps, long side cutters, pike disgorger | Appropriately sized disgorger | Appropriately sized disgorger | Coming Soon |
