Anglers living in and around Exeter have somewhere new to enjoy their sport - Harper's Lakes near the city's historic canal. Situated close to the Double Locks pub, Harper’s Lakes were built in 2009 on land belonging to the Environment Agency using money from rod licence sales plus a contribution from Exeter and District Angling Association. The new purpose-built complex will be officially opened this Friday (June 24) by Exeter’s Labour MP Ben Bradshaw at 2.00pm.
As well as anglers, the lakes are designed to be used by schools, colleges and community groups who will be able to carry out activities such as pond dipping in an area of wetland within the site. The public can also enjoy the facility using a series of gates, footpaths and seating accessed from the canal towpath.
The lakes are leased to Exeter & District Angling Association who will manage all fishing activities. The club is hoping the new facility will increase its junior membership and encourage more people in the Exeter area to take up angling.
Since completion, the two interconnected lakes have filled naturally with rain and flood water from the Alphin Brook. If necessary, water can be abstracted from the canal to top up the lakes during the summer months. Historically, the land was used for grazing and served as a flood storage area for the Alphin Brook flood scheme.
More than 2,500 native trees and shrubs have been planted around the site to provide shade and reduce summer temperatures. The new wetland area has provided a valuable habitat for wildlife and is already attracting various amphibians, insects and birds.
Once open, the Exeter & District Angling Association will be looking to appoint a permanent angling officer to organise fishing events and encourage youngsters to use the site. The lakes have been designed to provide opportunities for schools and wildlife groups to explore the outdoors.
Although they cannot be accessed by vehicle, there is a car park 500 metres from the lakes and a well established network of pedestrian and cycle paths nearby.
‘This project is great news for Exeter as it provides an easily accessible fishing venue for anglers living in and around the city. Until recently, there was no stillwater fishery in the area that could be easily reached on foot.This put the young, disabled and older anglers at disadvantage. Harper’s Lakes offers them a purpose-built angling site close to home,’ said Diane Holland for the Environment Agency.
The lakes are named after Jo Harper, a former Environment Agency officer with a keen interest in angling and wildlife conservation who tragically died.
Source: Envorment Agency Fishing News
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