All six Island reservoirs will be stocked with high quality rainbow trout for the 2016 angling season, which opens on 10 March.

“This is excellent news for anglers,” said Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) Minister Richard Ronan MHK, “especially when considering that flooding in December and January caused the loss of some stock and significant damage to the Cornaa Fish Hatchery.

“It has taken some time for staff at Troutlodge, which manages the hatchery, to assess the extent of the losses and carry out essential repairs to the site, all when they have been extremely busy with the main spawning period.”

As well, the Minister was able to offer a lure to anglers: “Stocking will continue throughout the season and although there may be slightly fewer fish due to the losses, there will be significantly more trophy fish stocked than usual, to provide additional challenges to the sport angler.”

Troutlodge and DEFA will be considering further investment at Cornaa to alleviate the risk of further flood events and also in potential enhancements to reservoir angling facilities. They will be working closely on several joint promotional activities linked to angling throughout the season.

The public is urged to watch for more details in the media and on the DEFA Fisheries Facebook page.

Minister Ronan added: “Although angling in the Isle of Man is already a very popular sport, the Department and Troutlodge would be delighted to hear any ideas anglers may have that, in their view, would make a positive difference to their experience.”

Ideas may be submitted to DEFA at fisheries@gov.im.