More information over fishing ban at lake in Cirencester

A recent Standard article generated huge interest when it reported on how a meeting of Cirencester Town Council’s Land and Property Committee had revealed that fishing rights at the lake at Cirencester’s Abbey Grounds would not be reinstated.

Original committee members at Abbey Lake Angling Club decided to hand management of the lake at Cirencester’s Abbey Grounds back to CTC earlier this year.

John Hacker, former bailiff and coach at the club, said the group began winding down last year amid both a lack of anglers and otters eating the fish in the lake.

“At one stage, we had five otters coming up the River Churn into the lake,” he said.

“They cleared the lake within maybe two months.

“We’ve got four cormorants, a heron, an egret and kingfishers over there, and we’ve had dabchicks, but you see otters doing the main damage.”

Mr Hacker said the club - which held both educational and community activities - had paid to restock the lake on several occasions.

“We stocked it about four or five times,” he said.

“We’ve always caught and released the fish in the club - that was in the club constitution.

“I’m absolutely gutted.

“It would be brilliant if we were allowed to carry on.

“There have also been a lot of people complaining about stuff supposedly being left lying around.

“I've always picked up any left line, hooks, bags or tins or anything like that.”

Keith Reynolds, CTC’s interim land & property manager, said fishing rights have not been in place at the lake for several years and it has not had fish for a long time.

He added Abbey Lake Angling Club has dissolved.

“It did have some funds left, and we discussed a possibility of restocking through a one-off donation from the club,” he said.

“It has come back to us and said it doesn't feel it’s a good investment.

“It has given the funds to the angling club at South Cerney for its junior angling activities and development.

“There haven’t been fish in the lake for a long time.

“There are only around two big fish left because of the otters.

“Anglers have not had the right to fish there for at least two years.”

Mr Reynolds said a difference existed between the club’s fishing rights documentation and whether or not it could fish on the land.

“Abbey Lake Angling Club was not allowed to fish in the lake but had the paperwork and documentation for the fishing rights,” he said.

“Those have been given to CTC since it has dissolved completely.”