Draycote Water and Eyebrook fisheries in the English Midlands are to be managed by Anglian Water (AW) from April 1. However, while Draycote is to join AW’s portfolio of trout fisheries, which include Rutland, Grafham and Pitsford waters, Eyebrook is to become a coarse and predator fishery. It may offer limited wild brown trout angling.

AW is also to close Ravensthorpe trout fishery. It will become a carp syndicate that also offers winter predator angling.

Draycote reservoir

Draycote (pictured above) will also offer predator angling for the first time.

All the changes are subject to final lease negotiations with Tata Steel (owners of Eyebrook) and Severn Trent Water (Draycote).

Having studied the records and accounts of the previous operator, Fishery Management Ltd, AW said that it believed Eyebrook was “not commercially viable or sustainable” as a stocked trout fishery and that “Ravensthorpe has long struggled as a trout water. It has challenges with low footfall and environmental factors in the summer.”

In a letter to season-ticket holders, AW explained that “Our four-water season ticket product will change from Rutland, Grafham, Pitsford and Ravensthorpe to Rutland, Grafham, Pitsford and Draycote. Draycote is a prolific and popular water. We believe this is an excellent product for trout anglers and one that offers excellent value for money.”

It also announced that, on average, season tickets will rise by 5.3%, day tickets by 5.6% and day boats by 10%. A Gold season ticket, with which holders can kill up to 500 fish per season and eight per day, is £1,300. A starter ticket, 25 fish per season, one fish per day, is £399. Other tickets include Silver, Bronze and Sporting.

Season times, pricing and angling operations at Draycote will follow the same processes as at Rutland, Grafham and Pitsford. Go to anglianwaterparks.co.uk/fishing