Tremendous changes are taking place at Fisherwick Lakes which have seen the opening of an impressive new anglers' lodge and car park overlooking Specimen Lake at the entrance to the site, the dividing of the former match lake into two new match pools, the dividing of the old trout lake to create a new carp runs water and a new trout lake, and the building of a new silver fish water which opened in 2013.

Work has also been carried out to slightly reconfigure The Stream which has added to the charm of this intimate water.

The new anglers lodge replaces the former ageing portacabin-style lodge which could be found at the far end of the entrance track.

The new building incorporates a spacious modern cafe with a verandah jutting out into Specimen Pool where anglers can enjoy a range of food and drink.

The new lodge also sells a small range of coarse and fly fishing tackle.

With the opening of the new fishing lodge there are now two new car parks serving the Fisherwick Lakes complex.

The first is next to the new lodge whilst the other can be found half way along the perimeter track at the top of Wadeys Pool and next to the two new match pools.

The new trout lake opened for business on April 1, 2015 following a major stocking of nearly 500 fish weighing between 1lb 8oz to over 6lbs.

More than 20 fish weigh about 3lbs.

These were supplemented the following month with a further stocking of 200 hard fighting rainbows, including a couple of double figure fish, and the rod average since the lake opened currently stands at four per rod.

Meanwhile, a central embankment has been created in the former large open match lake to create a new Match Pool and the smaller new Bridge Match Pool(right), both of which will be used for match and pleasure fishing.

The new Match Pool has been built to provide a depth of five feet in the margins off both the bank and the island and 10 feet in the centre track whilst the new Bridge Match Pool is unconventional in the anglers fish off the island which is connected to the mainbank by a new bridge.

These changes, together with the slight alterations to The Stream and the digging of the new Ripple Pool, are making Fisherwick Lakes into a superb venue where the requirements of modern angling blend with history on a site which used to be part of the old Fisherwick Hall estate, the stately home of the former Marquis of Donegal in the 18th Century.

Although the original Fisherwick Hall only survived for about 50 years - reputedly thanks to the Marquis's passion for gambling and the urgency of his creditors who took everything they could including the stonework to pay for his losses!However, the original coach house escaped their ravages and still stands at Fisherwick Hall - all that remains of this once splendid house.

Set in 32 acres, Fisherwick Lakes themselves now offer day - ticket coarse and game fishing on a total of 10 lakes and pools which for the most part were originally gravel workings and which now offer a wide variety of sport from large open waters to small, reed - lined and lily - clad pools.

The current record carp, set in 2001, was a lovely 29lbs 12oz common carp.

In addition to the creation of the new waters, work has recently been completed on the laying of hard stone paths from the car park at the new lodge all the way around the lakes, making the banksides easily accessible in all weathers.

Anglers must book in and park by lodge before dropping any tackle to pegs.

Further instructions on parking will be given when anglers have booked in.

Fisherwick Lakes was established in 1982 and is operated on a membership and day - ticket basis.

Members pay an annual subscription of £70.

00(£60.

00 on renewal) in return for which they receive 'free' coarse fishing and reduced rates for trout fishing.

Husband and wife membership is available at £120 and concessions at £60.

00(£50.

00 on renewal).

Fisherwick membership also allows members to night fish Specimen Lake.

Night fishing is restricted to members only and to a maximum of 10 night anglers on the lake at any one time.

When the lake is busy anglers are asked to be considerate and to fish a maximum of two rods only.

Night fishing pegs must be booked in advance with Fishery Manager James Woods on 01543 433606 or 07786 131329.

James is also regularly on hand to help anglers on the bank.

He is very up - to - date with modern carp fishing methods, rigs, tactics and bait.

Match bookings are welcome at just £5.

00 per peg.

Matches should be booked in advance and fees paid at the time of fishing.

Day ticket and night anglers are reminded that they must take their litter home with them as many of the litter bins which had been provided have now been removed because they were attracting vermin.

Anglers should also note that floating baits are only allowed on the Specimen Carp Lake.