History of the lakes

 

The Lakes were created from former poor agricultural land after extraction of sand and gravel by Tarmac Roadstone Ltd. The first fish were introduced in 1984 (Mirror carp weighing up to 1.5 lbs) and they have thrived in the lakes, growing and breeding in a spectacular manner. Some of these original fish now weigh in the region of 40 lbs!
The restoration work was carried out initially by Tarmac and then by the Duchy of Lancaster. Work has included tree planting, forming islands (particularly important for the bird population) and providing access for walkers. The high standard achieved was recognized in 1997 when the site was awarded the “Cooper Heyman Cup” for excellence in restoration.

 

 

HISTORY OF THE SITE
•Farming until the early 1950’s.
•Gravel extraction works during the mid 60’s to late 70’s.
•From early 80’s onwards plantation and conservation works to create the basic lakes and surroundings – Cooper Heyman Cup won in 1997 for excellence in restoration and conservation.
•1986 until 1992 managed by Larry Fitzgerald.
•1992 until 2003 managed by Bob Birkin.
•2003 – present – tenancy granted to the Birkin family, business is ran as a partnership.

1992 to 1996
•Wyre, Sunnyside and River lakes are already established and stocked – Wyre becomes a membership water (previously syndicated).
•Sunnyside lake is drained –with the carp placed into Banton's lake and the coarse placed into Fox’s lake. Sunnyside lake then becomes a trout water, initial stock introduced 3,000 – investment by the Duchy.
•Banton's, Sunnyside and Fox's lakes are landscaped and planted up. Banton's lake is added to the membership waters.

1996 to 1999
•Quarry and Wharf lakes are added to the Wyreside portfolio and the lakes are drained and altered to become a match lake and stock pond. Quarry lake is stocked by taking all the small carp from each of the other lakes on the complex and Wharf lake is separately stocked.

2000 - 2006
•Sunnyside lake is split into 2 separate waters – Sunnyside 1 and Sunnyside 2. A walkway (bund) is created splitting the water into two, by adding infill from the old gas works in Lancaster capped off with clay and soil and then seeded to create the walkway – then plantation was added. S/1 became the a carp and pike water and S/2 remained as the trout water.
•Due to the high demand for carp fishing in the northwest and the increase of trout waters in the surrounding area – S/2 was changed to a carp water with £15,000 of carp stock added.

2007 - 2011
Quarry lake is closed after decisions based on fish mortality and security issues. The lake is drained and stock removed into Sunnyside 1 and River lakes. The lake is removed from the Wyreside portfolio.