News Update: 3rd December 2013
With the sudden arrival of some really cold weather, the best chance of
Check out the all the fish recently caught by our members. If you would like your catches added please email them to information@bighitaa.co.uk with a brief description. The Association controls the exclusive fishing rights to a number of stretches of the rivers Ouse and Ivel in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire and four still waters in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Membership rates are reviewed annually by the Association’s Management Board. The membership year runs from 16th June until 15th June but persons can join at any time during the year This web site aims to provide visitors with up to-date information on the super coarse fishing that is available to those who join the Association. Biggleswade and Hitchin Angling Association Ltd used to exist as separate organisations, and merged into a single entity during the mid 1980’s. Archives show minutes of meetings held by the Biggleswade club as long ago as the 1920’s, and the towns’ attachment to the River Ivel provided fine recreational angling on the Biggleswade Common meadows to the north of the town. The Association welcomes an active membership, not only in terms of fishing but also in contributing to its running. We encourage our members to report both their success and their concerns. Concerns may include need for fishery maintenance, water quality, the behaviour of others or rule breaking etc. There are frequent “projects” that need manpower, usually undertaken at Fishery Work Parties; be that tree work, swim maintenance or track repairs etc. Additionally, there is always a need to keep paths and the otter fencing clear of weeds, as well as just general tidying up. As a Limited Company, we are run by a Board of Directors who meet at the beginning of each month. Formal minutes are taken and reviewed, ensuring timely actions on important matters. The Board reflects a broad spread of ages, and consists of active members who enjoy a variety of angling approaches. All are enthusiastic to contribute their time and effort for the benefit of the Association. Excavated in the early 1980’s this is our specimen lake. Approx 20 acres in size, it consists of a number of large bays which include classic gravel bars, slopes, shallows and deeper holes. Well maintained swims are surrounded by mature trees, and an excellent hardcore track provides good access to swims. This nutritious water has produced some exceptional growth rates over the last 35 years and 30lb carp are captured on a regular basis with a number of specimens now over 40lbs. See more > This former trout fishery is fast developing a reputation as a specimen carp water, and the water quality has lead to some astonishing growth rates over recent years. It is known that there are fifteen 30lb plus carp in Swan Lake, with many high twenties moving towards that status. At only 4 acres it is an intimate water, where “old school” watercraft and courteous angling deliver the best results. Fishing is restricted to 2 rods at Swan Lake. See more > At around 8 Acres, McGregor Lake is the Associations “runs” water. Since obtaining the fishing rights, it has been stocked with several thousand small but fast-growing mirror and common carp obtained from both AJS Fisheries and Sport and Leisure Fisheries. Over recent years, these have been added to with hundreds of carp from VS Fisheries. The average size is now well over 10lbs, and 20lb plus examples are becoming increasingly common. Fishing is restricted to 2 rods at McGregor Lake. See more > We should really say Grace Lakes, as there are two to fish. Both venues are tiny, and ideally suited to float fishing. The largest is still only just over an acre. This was drained and removed of predators as far as possible as well as any resident carp! Over recent years The Association has invested in stocking Crucian Carp and Tench. The Crucian Carp are being caught to just under 3lbs, and the tench average around 5lbs. There are roach, rudd and bream present, almost certainly introduced via flooding of the nearby River Ivel. See more > Comprising of; School Meadow, Archer Meadow and Campers Meadow all located along the River Ouse and Ouse Farm, Church Meadow, Sawmills Pool, High Romper and the Drift found along the River Ivel. A wide variety of fish can be found here including carp, roach, barbel, pike, perch, zander, bream, raoch, chub and eels. See more > This stretch of the upper Ouse is comprised of two large hay meadows and a heavily wooded length offering a variety of challenges to the angler. It is accessible from the B565 road linking the hamlet of Cold Brayfield, near Turvey and the town of Olney. The entrance is a cart track situated in a dip in the road adjacent to a disused sewage treatment works. The water holds some very large specimens of different species. See more > Entrance is via Mill Lane, Langford. Travel past the mill over wooden Bridge, turn left and park on the other side of the Association’s gate. No parking is allowed in front of the mill. Night fishing is allowed on all of these waters. The Association owns a 500yd stretch of the Ivel upstream of Langford Mill (right- hand bank) to just below the footbridge leading from the village. See more > We are founder members of the IPA and, as such, members may fish all IPA waters. Locations in Astwick, Arlesey, Stotfold and Willow Hay with established fisheries at Langford, Broom, Biggleswade (Back Meadows), Biggleswade (Common), Sandy New Road, Island Stretch, Girtford and Blunham. These are mixed fisheries holding barbel to over 20lbs, chub to over 7lbs, carp to 20lbs, pike to 25lbs and other species. See more > This is our specimen lake that holds quality fish of several species over 40lbs. It is a former excavation with the soil removed being used to construct the nearby A428 crossing over the river Great Ouse and has been established as a fishery since 1987. It’s now been several years since the fence was put in place and the future is looking very bright indeed for the fishery. The fish had a very good spawn this year, I believe 3 times over a month period and all anglers did the right thing and left the fish well alone to get on with it. I believe this is very important as this year we only saw the loss of just one low 20lb mirror unfortunately. I’ve been a member for 4 years now and have a photo album full of beautiful fish from the Gingerbread lake. It’s a great fishery run very well by some of the friendliest members I’ve met in over 40 years of angling. The fishery is exceptionally clean and secure for both anglers and fish alike. Keep up the great work. After catching several carp and tench from Gingerbread Lake during the milder weather, With the colder weather just around the corner, chub society member Karl Franklin Exceptional Fishing
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Some of our extensive selections of well stocked fisheries
Gingerbread Lake
Swan Lake
McGregor Lake
Grace Lake
Tempsford Estate Waters
Lavendon Manor Farm
Langford Waters
IPA Waters
Spotlight Lake
Gingerbread Lake
5 Lakes 15 River Stretches 1920 Established Since 22 Species of Fish
Darren Coles
Simon Izzard
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