Given that most of my natural history recording takes place whilst fishing it would seem appropriate to provide a few notes on the fish in the area:-

Whilst it could never be said that fish are not part of our natural environment and form an integral part of the bio-diversity, their occurrence and distribution is probably more influenced and controlled by man than any other wild plant or creature. Fish have been stocked in lakes and ponds since Roman times and have provided a valuable source of food in the past. In the last 100 years or so sporting fish (trout and salmon mainly) have been stocked for sport fishing purposes and for around the last 50 years all manner of 'coarse' fish have been stocked in lakes, canals and rivers by angling clubs and private fishery owners. The last 10 years has seen a huge increase in the number of commercial 'coarse' fisheries with many now to be found in the Chorley area, ranging in size from small ponds to purpose built lake complexes.

The provision of good quality ponds, lakes and rivers should be welcomed by all naturalists; it is far better to see a small pond being developed for fishing rather than the often too common practice in the past of filling them in or allowing the pond to become choked with weed and scrub. Anglers do get a bad press from time to time, litter, discarded line, lack of regard for other wildlife, but most anglers do care deeply about the countryside. Without the past and ongoing efforts of anglers to guard against pollution, water abstraction, power boating etc then the country's lakes and rivers would not, in general, be in the much improved condition we find them today.

Chorley has a variety of water habitats ranging from the large deep reservoirs in the east to small farm yard ponds, particularly in the west of the area. Many former mill lodges have sadly been lost but there are still a number of waters which owe their beginnings to our industrialised past. Whilst we lack a river of any size the Yarrow and its tributaries are developing into excellent small rivers containing a wide variety of fish and natural habitats. So, what fish can we expect to find in and around Chorley? – the following information has been obtained from my own fishing exploits or from other reliable sources…if fishermen could ever be considered reliable!!

 Brook Lamprey, Lampetra planeri

Not seen personally for many years but in the early 1980's large numbers were recorded swimming upstream along the Goyt at the north end of Anglezarke reservoir.

Stocked in the past for commercial purposes in many of the reservoirs in the area, the distribution of the 'brown' Trout has further increased with the opening of numerous small commercial fisheries in the last 20 years or so. Where waters are no longer stocked, or the fishery has changed to a 'coarse' fishery, the remaining Trout populations in general seem to survive with the fish growing to reasonable sizes. Additionally, many streams issuing from or connecting these reservoirs have Trout populations, including The Goyt, River Yarrow and Black Brook. The Black Brook, which was once probably Chorley's most polluted stream, now contains a reasonable head of fish with Trout up to 250g. regularly seen.

The migratory Trout (exactly the same species as the 'brown' Trout) is also being recorded along the River Yarrow with several individuals seen at Drybones weir on numerous dates. Migratory Trout are known for their inquisitive and exploratory nature and the building of a fish ladder at Drybones weir would greatly enhance their breeding potential.

For Salmon or migratory Trout to breed would require clean gravel runs and suitable water quality. The provision of a fish ladder is a pre-requisite for the fish to access the upper reaches of the River Yarrow (and possibly the Black Brook) to accomplish, what would be, the most significant event in the piscatorial history of the Chorley area.

Originally, an introduced species from North America, now bred widely in this country as a major source of stock fish for commercial trout fisheries. To be found in most commercial trout fisheries in the area, often stocked as mature fish weighing 1kg or more. Does not, generally, breed naturally in this country.

In hot weather Pike can often be seen 'floating' in the upper to mid-water; in July up to 9 fish were seen in Big Lodge at Birkacre adopting this practice during hot weather.

Pike probably give rise to more fishermen's tails than all other fish. In the Chorley area fish can grow to over 10kg, a fish slightly in excess of that weight was caught from the Heapey Reservoir complex in 2001. Other waters such as Brinscall Lodge, Birkacre Lodge and the Anglezarke/Rivington reservoir complexes are all capable of holding fish around that size. However, for every fish of 10 kg or so (which will be female) there will generally be numerous smaller 'jack' pike (usually males – breeding is a very risky time for an amorous 'jack' pike!) with the average weight being around 1 to 3 kg.

A fish of 500g would be considered a good specimen in this area

This small silver fish, 250g would be considered a good fish, can be found in the River Yarrow and River Lostock following a stocking programme by the Environmental Agency.

Primarily a river fish but occasionally stocked (or released) into still waters. The Heapey reservoir complex has small numbers as did, and may still have, the Leeds Liverpool canal. Otherwise the fish can be found in the River Yarrow and River Lostock, again following a stocking programme by the Environmental Agency. Often noted as a voracious feeder in its natural river environment, they can be surprisingly shy in lakes and still waters. Can grow to 3 kg in suitable waters, eg River Ribble, but a 1.5kg fish would be noteworthy from the smaller rivers in the Chorley area.

No recent recordings but previously found in the connecting streams of the Heapey Reservoir complex and probably now worth looking for in the in the much cleaner River Yarrow and its tributaries.

Smaller specimens can be confused with Roach but the protruding lower lip, slightly golden colour to scales and true red colour of lower fins on the Rudd should help to distinguish the two species. Found commonly in small lodges and ponds, it is also a popular stock fish with commercial coarse fisheries. In general very similar in size to Roach.

A lover of still waters, muddy lakes and ponds, the Tench can reach 4kg in suitable locations in the Chorley area, but the average weight is more likely to be around 1 to 2 kg. The fish is primarily a spring, summer and early autumn fish, rarely caught in winter, when it becomes inactive.

This small, maximum weight of around 60 g in our area, 2 barbelled fish can be found commonly along the Leeds Liverpool canal and probably in the River Yarrow (it was certainly present there many years ago). It was previously to be found in the Heapey Reservoir complex but may no longer be present in these waters.

This species is primarily a river fish and does not, as far as is known, occur in the Chorley rivers. However, at least 2 fish have been released in Birkacre lodge, although this is not really a suitable habitat.

A favourite fish with anglers and heavily stocked in many still waters, particularly Birkacre, Heapey and the Leeds Liverpool canal and commercial coarse fisheries. Can reach 4kg in good conditions but more commonly found at 500g or less. Can inter-breed with Roach, Rutilus rutilus, hybrids recorded in the Leeds Liverpool canal.

A fish of still waters, but not found commonly anywhere in numbers. A1kg fish would be a good specimen in this area but less than 500g would be closer to the average.

Common in garden ponds but also stocked by some commercial coarse fisheries. This species, unlike many exotic garden fish, can breed successfully in the wild. It will also inter-breed with Crucian Carp Carassius carassius where the two occur together.

Originally stocked as a fish for the pot by the Church and similar large estates, its numbers diminished as the practice of eating coarse fish faded over the years. Eventually, in the mid-20^th century, its presence could be regarded that the site may be of historical importance.

However, with the increased popularity of Carp fishing, the fish is now heavily stocked by most commercial coarse fisheries, particularly Heapey Lodges in this area, where fish of 9kg or so are present. In addition to these heavily stocked waters there are the occasional 'feral' populations to be found e.g. Leeds Liverpool canal.

Specimens in excess of 1.5kg have been recorded from small ponds out on the Croston and Mawdesley moss areas and theoretically Eels could be found anywhere, but proximity to a stream or river would assist the colonisation process.

 Three-spined Stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus

This tiny fish can still be found in good numbers in certain ponds and lakes but its distribution has certainly decreased over the last 30 years or so. At one time it was found commonly in the Leeds Liverpool canal, but no longer, and it is now absent from other waters where once it was common. Almost a parallel story to that of the House Sparrow, Passer domesticus, in the avian world, the population dynamics have changed and, through our so called familiarity, the reasons have escaped us.

 Perch Perca fluviatilis

Along with the Roach, Rutilus rutilus, probably the commonest fish in the area, although this has not always been the case. Perch populations are probably now almost fully recovered from a devastating disease, specific only to Perch, which decimated stocks in the 1980s. Whilst perhaps the large shoals of small fish, seen in the 1960s, are no longer present, the Perch population now appears quite healthy with specimens in excess of 1kg to be found in many lakes and sections of the Leeds Liverpool canal.

Going back 30 years or so Ruffe were very rarely, if at all, to be found in the Chorley area. However, Ruff are now very common in the Leeds Liverpool canal and there must be a suggestion that the drastic reduction in the Perch population in the 1980s may in some way have allowed this fish to gain a foot-hold and develop a successful population.

 Bullhead Cottus gobio

Formerly to be found in the Heapey complex of reservoirs and also at Lower Healey lodges; I have not heard of any records of this small fish for many years.

 Flounder Platichthys flesus

Flounders are usually considered as sea fish, but small Flounders do travel far up rivers in search of food. They can be found in the lower reaches of the River Yarrow and probably the River Lostock. There is also a record of a Flounder being caught in an angling competition from the Leeds Liverpool canal in the 1960s. This was no doubt the same fish, which was released a couple of years earlier into the canal having been found still alive upon returning home from a sea fishing trip! It caused much comment in the Angling press at the time!