Anglers fear fishing ban after 'wildlife harmed'

Anglers are campaigning against a potential fishing ban on a popular boating lake in South Yorkshire.

Councillors on City of Doncaster Council insisted there was no ban in place at Askern Lake, but warned anti-social behaviour and "harm to wildlife" must stop in order to prevent one being introduced.

Gerald Squire, who represents the Norton and Askern ward, said birds had been left injured by fishing lines, with a number of geese taken away to be cared for at animal sanctuaries.

"Nobody is wanting it stopped, but it can't carry on as it is," he said.

"We're caught between a rock and a hard place."

The local authority did not respond to the Local Democracy Reporting Service when asked if any restrictions were already in place.

John Rowley, an Askern town councillor who runs the nearby Askern Angling Supplies, is behind a campaign to prevent a ban.

"The mental health benefits to fishing are incredible, it's just done people so much good," he said.

He said any potential restrictions would be a "knee-jerk reaction" to the wildlife concerns, with Rowley and other volunteers hoping to start a local fishing club.

It would issue tickets for anglers at locations around the lake, allowing Rowley and others to monitor who is leaving litter, fishing lines and carrying out anti-social behaviour.

"There's a dozen or so local people who want to help police the place and make it safe, keep control," he added.

Councillor Vicky Lawson, who also represents Norton and Askern, said the issues at the lake are "mainly caused by unsupervised, bored children and some adults with nothing constructive to do", with a minority causing "harm to wildlife".

"My suggestion is to educate and assist children, including any adults, in the art of angling with volunteers who would be willing and able to help with the supervision," she said.

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