Boffins ask for Bassenthwaite pike stats

Pike anglers in the Lake District are being asked for catch reports, to help scientists work out whether pike are getting smaller.

Once a noted big fish water, Bassenthwaite rarely now produces anything over low doubles.

Scientists at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology want to study anglers logs, to compare catches with those from a few years back.

Paul Burnell, from the Lake District National Park Authority, said: "Because pike are top of the food chain, they're a good indicator of the health of the lake.

"If changes are taking place it is essential we find out more.

"The centre wants to compare fish caught in 2007 with previous catches to see if there are any significant changes in fish populations.

"We want to know what’s happening to our freshwater species. We are asking anglers to send us catch information for 2007 and we are very keen to contact people who have kept their previous years’ records.”

Letters have gone out to the lake’s 150 permit holders appealing for help.

Information can also be submitted online here

"We want to work closely with our fishing fraternity and now have two angling representatives on the Bassenthwaite Forum, which brings together conservation and recreation groups to advise on the lake’s management,” said Mr Burnell.

He added if catch returns indicated a problem with the lake's fish populations, they would enable funds to be raise for a scientific study.

Climate change is threat to Lakes' fish

Fish species like the char and vendace could disappear from the Lake District because of climate change, an environmental conference heard.

Not so long ago it was pike anglers translocating livebaits who were blamed for rare species' decline.

Coarse live and deadbaits were banned on waters like Windermere five years ago, after scientists claimed species like ruffe and roach had been spread.

Now delegates at fifth AGM of the Lake District Still Waters Partnership have been told that the lakes were set to change as a result of higher temperatures and warmer, wetter, windier winters.

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Pikers asked to help with Cumbria survey

Anglers pike fishing on Bassenthwaite are are being asked to share details of their catches with the Lake District National Park Authority.

"Fishermen and women are catching good numbers of pike, but say they now rarely get large ones weighing over twelve pounds," said Lake District National Park Authority ranger manager and Bassenthwaite Lake Restoration Programme member Shirley Muir.

"Some of the most significant differences seem to have been among pike stocks. As pike are top of the fish food chain, they are a good indicator of the health of the lake and, if changes are taking place, it is essential we find out more."

Shirley said the Lancaster-based Centre of Ecology and Hydrology had already done a lot of research into Bassenthwaite and was keen to investigate further.

"The centre wants to compare fish caught in 2007 with previous hauls to see if there are any significant changes in fish populations.

"We want to know what's happening to our freshwater species and why. We are asking anglers to send us catch returns throughout 2007 and we are very keen to contact people who have kept their previous years' records."

Letters have gone out to the all the lake's angling season permit holders appealing for help.

"We want to work closely with our fishing fraternity and now have two angling representatives on the Bassenthwaite Forum, which brings together conservation and recreation groups to advise on the lake's management," added Shirley.

For more information on the survey, click here.