TILGATE PARK FISHERIES RUN BY VOLUNTEERS

Revitalizing fishing for today and the future
Catch and return water only
BASED IN CRAWLEY WEST SUSSEX ENGLAND

NEWS UPDATE

We are just over half way through the season , the match league has ended and we celebrate our champions for this year . The fishing has been challenging for the course anglers , we believe this is due to the loss of fish through age, changing feeding habits nature and nurture of many of our heritage large bream. We believe these to be around 15 years old , which is a good age for bream. These fish had provided large catch bags for our course anglers and have been sadly missed this year. We have made restocks of course fish tench and silvers but these need time to grow and may not be responding to previously used angling tactics. However these will continue to grow and we have already had some reports of some larger roach and perch being caught . We have arranged a fish survey to take place, provided by the Environment Agency on the 14/11/2025, to further access the amount of larger bream remaining . Along side of this we will also be assessing other species to ensure a good balance in our mixed fishery and help us to better understand what to add to our stocking program for 2025/26. Advise will be taken into account from the Environment Agency team on how to proceed. Carp angling has seen some loses too, as two of our heritage fish have passed away by natural causes Finlay and The Little Long. This is very sad news , however we estimate their age to be around 60 plus years old, which is a grand age. These were respectfully buried by one of our bailiffs, who kindly did this for the club. Many of our carp anglers have reported some brilliant catches and most seem to be having a successful session on our banks. The reports of catch sizes has proven our slower stocking program is working for these waters and these fish will be true Tilgate grown fish and will be the heritage fish of the future. Please remember to let us know what you catch and your weights. Pike season , has just started and i must remind all day ticket holders and members to read and follow the rules with regards to hooks and fish care. All fish species should be treated with the upmost care . Using nets , landing mats , where the size of the fish requires it . Also a reminder that you cannot use treble hooks to catch any fish in our water and for Pike only circle hooks or singles can be used. Please be aware the bailiffs are authorised to do a rig check at any time. We would love to here about your catches as we rarely here from our pike anglers. We believe that they go to 20lb , but as yet we have not had a pike record recorded in the book. Our bailiffs and volunteers have been hard at work trimming the swims and removing over hanging branches , and going about their bailiff duties. They are all volunteers and they should be celebrated for all that they do to keep fishing in the park. The next big project is the point on Campbells lake, work begins on the 1/11/2025 and these swims will be closed for the duration of the works , plus some time for the works to settle. We hope you will appreciate the improvements made there and will enjoy fishing from these new swims. Anyone who would like to help out can contact Chris via our Facebook page via messenger. We have some winter course matches going on until the end of the season, so please get in touch if you would like to take part . Enjoy the rest of the season Michele TPF

MEMBERSHIP IS NOW CLOSED THOSE OF YOU WHO'S APPLICATIONS ARE STILL IN PROCESS AND HAVE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF THIS BY EMAIL WILL CONTINUE TO THE ACCEPTANCE STAGE. we are not responsible for any applications that are not received however they are sent. You are responsible to ensure your application is received and should chase your application if no response is received within 7-10 days of you sending. This will unfortunately result in some of you missing out on membership this year.

WARNING ALL POACHERS
POACHERS WILL BE REPORTED AND PROSECUTED

Is poaching fish a criminal Offence? Fish poaching is a broad term and is used to describe the use of an illegal method, fishing out of season, retaining fish in certain condition or fishing without permission. All are criminal offences.

LAKE CLOSURES FOR OTHER PARK EVENTS RACE FOR LIFE 19/07/2025 BOTH LAKES WILL BE CLOSED ON THIS DAY DRAGON BOAT RACING CAMPBELLS LAKE WILL BE CLOSED ON THIS DAY 9TH SEPTEMBER PARK LIFE CAN BE VERY BUSY ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. WE THANK ALL OUR MEMBERS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR COMPLIANCE WITH THIS. PLEASE ENSURE YOU DO NOT FISH ON THESE DAYS OR YOU WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE

SPAWNING ON OUR LAKES Good Morning everyone As of yesterday the decision was made to close both lakes due to spawning . This is an important part of fish care and fishery management to enable the fish to take part in this event without interference. We know many of you will be disappointed, however we still feel a short period of unknown closer is better than a two month close season. We ask all of our members to understand and respect this decision, as it is so important we do not cause our fish unfair stress during this short closure period. Please also be advise that the match on Saturday has been cancelled for the same reason. Spawning is the act of fish and other aquatic animals releasing eggs and sperm into the water to reproduce. This process is crucial for maintaining healthy fish populations and the overall health of aquatic ecosystems.

TILGATE PARK FISHERIES ARE FISHING FOR CHARITY 12/07/2025 DONT FORGET CAMPBELLS WILL BE CLOSED FOR THIS EVENT

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE Hi everyone Further to the details held on our membership tab on this web page , we would like to remind al of our renewal members that today is the second to last day your place will held in the club. As you are all aware membership is allocated on a annual basis and we do not send reminders. So this is just a heads up . If you apply late there will be a charge of £10,00 and we cannot guarantee a place as we reallocate spaces to new members each year. It is our intention to close membership at the end of may or before if we feel the lakes are suitably visited and seem full. As an admin team we hope you will support these endeavours as we are finding more and more that people are forgetting to renew until they fish with an old card. kindest regards and enjoy your fishing Michele

Get fishing event sponsored by the Angling trust We have 4 experienced Angling trust coaches who can teach you to fish. Sessions last for one hour. This is just a taster and you may well need more lessons going forward to increase your skills , but we still feel its a great way to see if fishing is for you. we have dates available for 27th of JULY and the 10TH of August available Please message this page to book your slot or email tilgateparkfisheries@yahoo.com We look forward to meeting you . Our coaches also offer private 1 to 1 tuition or even small groups and can be arrange by contacting our coaches featured on our coaching tab on this web page. Please dress for the weather and bring your own refreshments . All bait and equipment is supplied. You can park at the park RH10 5LP or free parking can be found at Gainsborough playing fields which is a 5-10 minute walk from the park. Please check in around 10 mins before your start time. Kind regards Michele Fishing isn't just a hobby; for many it's a form of therapy. Research backs this up. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors, particularly near water, has a calming effect on the mind, helping to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Fishing offers a unique combination of mental and physical engagement.

Good morning We find it necessary today to remind some of our members of the importance of reading and following the lake rules. This is important for the safety and enjoyment of all lake users and anglers. We have a zero tolerance policy at the lakes so ensure your actions are not infringing any of our rules as you risk your membership by doing so. We find that the majority of our anglers fish without any rule breaking and just enjoy their days out. However if you are not please adjust you behaviour for the benefit of us all

Swim work has been in progress over the last couple weeks . Our volunteer team are working hard to ensure the lakes are prepared for the new season of fishing. just a couple of pictures to show the kind of work they have been doing. great work team

Hi all On Sunday 7th April we received 287lb of new tench into Campbells lake. Another massive boost to our re-stocking program to return Tilgate fishing lakes back to the great catching waters of yester year. the weight amounts to around 90 fish to add to the the tench re-stock on both Campbells and silt last year. We are very proud as a team of how much progress we have made and how well the stocks are growing. Our carp stocking program has seen every success producing some beautiful looking doubles in both Campbells and Silt. Our silver stocks are continuing to thrive even though it is a constant battle with our natural predators picking them off . We will continue to invest in our fish stocks and hope that they will carry on doing well and that we will continue to come closer all to remaking this fantastic venue .

MEMBERSHIP 2024 DUE 1/4/2024 - Copy

Members Just a reminder that you can RENEW your membership via our web page. We will hold current members places until 1st May 2024. If you do not wish to join again this year please let us know as we have an extensive waiting list. Those of you that are on our waiting list for membership , we will be looking at your requests at the end of march. Kind regards The TPF Team

We are a non-profit fishing club made up of fishermen and women who grew up and old fishing at Tilgate Park. We have seen many changes over the years and maybe not all for the better and so a small group friends and family got together to change things.

We have worked hard to improve the lakes initially focusing on Campbells Lake, removing old and dangerous platform remains from the waters edge. Building practical and lasting fishing platforms and stocking the water with a good head of carp. Bream, perch, and roach already present but have grown so much over the years and have benefited from our winter feed programs.

We are all about the fishing and the catch and feel that we can make changes big or small that can improve the fishing for all. We aim to provide a one stop place to fish. If you are after the bigger fish, then go to Campbell's lake, take a chance and hope to catch good one. It is renowned to be a difficult water  but the rewards are worth it .However a brilliant coarse day can easily be had on a sunny day, Go to silt to enjoy a great day’s fishing and catching regularly. Away from the public, crowds, and the regulars walking, running and cycling around Campbells lake.

We have worked with the council to get the bank side erosion addressed., Although we do not always agree on the approach, we both have the best interests of the lakes in the forefront of our minds, ensuring the future preservation of these beautiful waters. Our volunteers work tirelessly to ensure we provide a great place to fish and continue their good work across both lakes. Removing snags, over hanging branches and gavel top ups etc. Very satisfying but hard work.

We are supported by the environment agency, and we are working around silt lake to address the bank side erosion, fallen trees and general debris. It is a difficult task working with just volunteers. However, we are pushing through the work on stage one, after a long delay with covid restrictions and hope to be looking for funding for stage two soon. We hope to get even further sponsorship to enable us to employ contractors, but we will have to wait and see what the future brings.



Christopher lee Fiddimore

chairman/coach

Hi everyone as Chairman i am dedicated to the maintenance and preservation of our beautiful park lakes

michele fiddimore

Welfare officer/ treasurer

I have recently added the role of welfare officer representing our club. We want our members and staff to know that there is someone here within the club to listen to your concerns and worries.

charlotte

secretary

I am here to support your questions

leigh

fishery adviser / coach

I am here to advise on best stocking practices , fish care and habitats

Tom

volunteer balliff /coach

Essential to patrol waters , ensure books or tickets purchased and check best fishing practices rae adhered to

ANDY

MATCH SECRETARY/ coach

In charge of match calendar, bookings and payments

MARK

ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

creats and prints membership forms cards and other admin requirements

Steve horn

assistant match officer

Assists in bookings and payments

Danny Elms

bailiff

Essential to patrol waters , ensure books or tickets purchased and check best fishing practices re adhered to

Graham Baker

BAILIFF

Essential to patrol waters , ensure books or tickets purchased and check best fishing practices re adhered to

Terry Pettman

bailiff team

Essential to patrol waters , ensure books or tickets purchased and check best fishing practices re adhered to

  • 26 Dickens Road, Crawley RH10 5AR, UK
  • Tilgate park fisheries