The 2019/20 reservoir angling season will begin on Sunday 10 March.
This year’s licence prices will remain the same at £208 for adults and £78.80 for young persons aged 14 to 18, for the whole season. Day and week licences are also available, and children may obtain a licence free of charge until their 14th birthday.
Geoffrey Boot MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), said:
‘DEFA regularly receives excellent feedback from residents and visitors about the quality of the fishing at our reservoirs. The price freeze, including retention of free licences for the under-14s ensures that the reservoir fishery remains brilliant value for money and a great way for all ages to enjoy the Island’s beautiful landscapes.’
The Island’s reservoirs are stocked with rainbow trout reared by Troutlodge, the company who lease DEFA’s hatchery at Cornaa.
Most fish will be stocked out weighing 2-3lb, while a small proportion of 1-2lb fish, and 2,400 ‘trophy’ fish weighing from 4lb to over 10lb will also be released.
Licences allow fishing at six reservoirs – Clypse, Kerrowdhoo, Cringle, West Baldwin, Sulby and Ballure, all of which would normally be stocked from March to October. However, due to a routine inspection of Ballure dam by Manx Utilities this reservoir will not be stocked this year as the dam will be completely drained.
Anglers will still be welcome to fish Ballure Reservoir for brown trout and over-wintered rainbows prior to it being drained, and, to minimise impact on anglers based in the north of the Island, all rainbow trout normally destined for Ballure will be released into Sulby Reservoir this season.
Licences go on sale Monday 18th February and can be bought via www.gov.im/onlineservices, from the Isle of Man Government Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal, and from DEFA headquarters at St John’s. Gift certificates for family and friends to exchange for licences can also be bought from DEFA headquarters.
Season licences at a concessionary rate, for those 65 and over or registered as disabled, can also be bought at Post Offices but are not available online as eligibility must be proved.
For information on recreational fishing, visit www.gov.im/fisheries.
