Work continues on the overhaul of Albert Park lake inMiddlesbrough.
The Environment Agency have been carring out fish removal inadvance of total draining, reconstruction, and restocking of thisonce prolific water. This work is just part of a re-vamp for thewhole park.
Once an important local match venue, sport stated to decline inthe early 90’s, so much so matches were moved and the lake was hardlyfished at all. A valubale local resource was going to waste. Manyreasons were put forward for the decline including the ubiquitouscormorants, and poor water quality.
However there were still fish in the lake as the netting proved,with a good head of bream, and carp to near double figures.
The popularity the lake once had was reflected in the turn out ofangler who watched the first netting. Many of them regulars from thelakes match hay days.
The event was also covered by local press and TV, while near byprimary schools were invited to come along and witness this memorablesight.
All the work carried out will be with the input of MiddlesbroughAC. When finished the lake will have purpose built fishing stationsand a proposed water feature, that is hoped will improve oxygenlevels which have been a problem in the past.
All the fish are being transferred to Hemlington lake, anotherlocal council run fihery that has also suffered from cormorantpredation, hopefully this will improve sport there.
Many local anglers cut their fishing teeth on these waters, andthis work will hopefully restore them to their former glory. In doingso they will become two good urban fisheries that can be enjoyed byanglers young and old for a nominal fee, something we do need moreof.
