Below are some extracts from the Nottingham Evening Post, which is reporting how a zander was caught from canal in Nottingham city centre. Now, a zander caught from this canal is, indeed, interesting news, but just read how the story has been written.
From the Nottingham Evening Post
FISHY TALE …WITH BITE (NEP HEADLINE)
“One startled angler got a shock while fishing at the side of a canal in Nottingham city centre. Instead of landing the usual roach, tench or bream, he found a rare European zander at the end of his line.
The zander is only rarely seen in British waters and is one of the most vicious fresh water species in Europe.
It is also known as the pike-perch and has two front fangs which it uses for killing its prey. It can reach up to 30lb in weight.
Mr Allcock (the canal bailiff) said: “I have had three reports of zander being caught in the canal but I’d never seen one until this morning.
“It’s quite a fierce fish and it can be quite savage. A lot of fishermen like to go for them because they are terrific fighting fish.”
The fish is a European breed not native to UK waters – and is an unwelcome visitor.
It has been blamed for depleting native fish stocks and harbouring diseases.
The fish caught at Castle Marina was only eight inches long and weighed about half a pound.
But it is thought there might be more zander in the canal and the nearby River Trent.
They are usually kept in ornamental ponds, but more of them are being seen after being released by owners into the wild.
And the zander is not the only unusual find in the county’s waterways in recent weeks.
Mr Allcock said: “Two days ago a chap caught a terrapin the size of a paint-tin lid in the River Trent, but when he tried to get the hook out of its mouth it went for him so he threw it back in again.””
