I HAVE received several calls this week seeking clarification on the laws relating to the coarse fishing close season.

The close season on rivers runs from March 15 to June 15 inclusive. Anglers are not allowed to fish on either of these dates and that relates to all rivers, streams and drains. The trout season opens on the rivers in Yorkshire on March 25.

Some anglers seem to mistakenly believe that pike can be fished for on rivers, subject to local bye-laws. This is NOT the case and anyone caught fishing illegally for pike could be prosecuted by the Environment Agency.

Once the trout season opens you may fish for trout with fly, worm, minnow or artificial lure. You may also fish for salmon with lure of fly but must also have the appropriate licence.

You are not allowed to fish for trout with lures or bait in areas considered to be coarse fisheries. This includes the Ouse, Derwent and lower reaches of the Ure and Swale. While the odd trout may be encountered anywhere on the Ouse system this does not allow fishing with a worm or lure and claim you are trout fishing.

There are lots of ponds, lakes and canals to keep the spirits up until the middle of June.

Several good nets of bream have fallen to feeder tactics at Park View, while at Sand Hutton the first tench of the year have put in an appearance.

Some big catches have been taken at Raker Lakes with both Horseshoe and Acorn in fine form for carp to 7lb. Meat and corn are still the best baits but paste and pellet will soon come into play if things start to warm up. Langwith Lakes is also fishing well with catches of 50lb and more reported from both Bethany's and Kevin's Lakes.

The action has been thick and fast at the Willows with Goldrush the pick of the two ponds where maggot, fished on the drop with light tackle and steady loose feed, should be successful.

At Carpvale, Kevin Whincup reports similar activity with carp and bream featuring in catches to over 80lb from Cyprio. Worm is a good bet for the bream with cat meat or corn sorting out the bigger carp.

The only match booking of the weekend is on Sunday at Laybourne Lakes, Marley, pegs 37-53, plus 1 and 2, where the visitors are Huntington WMC AC.

Updated: 10:01 Friday, March 17, 2006