Fishing on Fen Park
In March 2010 after the final work had finished, we let the water settle first before we put in 2,500 fish a mixture of Roach, Rudd and Skimmer Bream supplied by Quiet Sports Fisheries. After letting the fish become acclimatised to their new environment they began to spawn. Fishing began in August, it was going really well over the summer months as both children and adults were fishing and although catches were not large; it was enough to get them interested. If we saw any children struggling while on the park we would help them out and give some advice; enquiries were coming thick and fast so we had to come up with an idea of how to make the pond/lake sustainable as Fen Park is a public park to be enjoyed by all so fishing is still free.
As a small group we came up with an idea to start having adult and junior fishing matches so we could put some money in the pot for the future restocking of both fish and plants in the pond, and any repair work that needed doing. This has had to be put on hold as we have been beaten by the wildlife. We have ducks and seagulls and Little Grebes (dab chicks). Seagulls were a problem until our latest visitor the cormorant showed up!! It started with one then two, we have also had reported to us that three were seen. Anyone that reads this probably realises that the cormorant is a sea bird and can consume up to 15lb of fish daily. I will and have put this to people that have had a go at me for trying to scare these birds off ( if you put £1,000 in the bank and somebody was removing £10 a day how would you feel if you could not do anything about it) this is the reason we have held back on the fishing matches as its very hard to catch fish at the moment. We have on order some Tench and they should be delivered soon; if you are wondering why no carp,we have been requested by the local council not to stock carp as this would then turn the ponds into a carp fishery and we and the council did not want this; so agreed to keep it just for pleasure fishing.
A new problem has occurred just recently on the pond which we had pointed out to us by a member of the public, they had noticed what looked like oil or petrol on top of the water, our first thoughts were it must have come off the willows that surround the pond as they due tend to weep a bit, but after more investigation we found out that somebody has been trying his model boats out on the pond; and these are spewing out fuel into the water. We are not against model boats being used on the pond but when they are causing pollution this is a different matter; most model boats are electric so these are no problem. I do have a contact with the local boat model club if not the the environment agency just another problem for the group.
That’s the moaning over, now on a more positive note the pond levels are now holding and looking good; a lot of the vegetation around this area has grown considerably quicker than we thought around the pond area. To the back of the pond there is now a figure of eight walk around the fishing platforms or stands which ever you like to call them, this area is covered in chipped bark and the middle area has been planted with trees curtesy of Waveney Norse. People who have visted the park recently have said what a differance we have made, to what was a once neglected park in Kirkley. If you are visiting South Lowestoft please come and visit; not only can you have a days free fishing you can have a picnic on the park or bring the kids as we have a good play area too, dogs are allowed on the park but we do ask that you keep them under control and pick up after them thanks. To find us, look up Tom Crisp Way on the map, if you are coming from the sea front you have three ways to find the park; it’s situated on Southwell road, off Carlton Road, South Lowestoft.
Fishing Guidelines
To keep fishing at Fen Park sustainable
Please adhere to the following guideline
· Soft baits only, no seafood, cat or dog meat
· Acceptable baits, maggots, luncheon meat, sweet corn & worms
· Small amounts of ground bait only
· Barbless hooks only
· No keep nets (except on a match)
· A valid Environment Fishing Licence is required by Law
· Fishing Licences will be checked regularly
· Fishing dawn to dusk only
· Please take your litter home
· Fen Park Closed Season is 1st April to 31st May
First of June is approaching and fishing on Fen Park can start we have been feeding the fish weekly in the closed season and a lot of young fish have been spotted during the closed season.
If you are interested in forming a Fen Park fishing club please let me know by contacting me through the website all names and contact numbers will be kept in a confidential file by me .
When/if I receive enough names I will have to inform the local council for them to give us the go ahead and then arrange a meeting with you all.
All that are fishing the Fen Park do so at there own risk and making sure others are safe too where possably.
Fen Park friends would like to recomend that all childran 12yrs & under who are fishing are acompained by a responsibly adult this is to insure their safety and your peace of mind.
We would also like to remind you that anybody over 12yrs of age have to have a fishing liecence day or full liecenes can be purchased at your local post office we do not like to have to ask people to stop fishing.
Picture of part of pond in Fen Park on a sunny day in May 2011
March 24th, 2011 at 6:51 am
Fantastic job on the work thats been carried out on the fen! thanks a lot from my son and i who intend to spend many hours fishing there! have the tench been put in yet?and if so do you know if any have been caught? thanks again