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Tom Thumb Lake gets a new lease of life

Following two years of hard work, we hope Tom Thumb Lake will help provide a brighter future for young people in Barking and Dagenham.

We have worked hard over the past two years to regenerate Tom Thumb Lake and provide a fishery that caters for beginner and young anglers. This has included improving existing platforms and installing new, fully accessible ones to provide safe angling stations for people of all abilities.

We have also restocked the lake with crucian carp, tench, rudd, roach and perch, and established native varieties of reeds and aquatic plants to provide habitat for fish and wildlife. Plus we’ve planted floating reed-rafts in the middle of the lake to provide a fish-spawning habitat and improve protection from predatory birds.

“We want this project to provide opportunities throughout the year for anglers of all ages and abilities,” said fisheries officer Neil Winter. “We are particularly keen for young people to enjoy the outdoors and meet other people from a wide range of backgrounds.”

To encourage people to get involved, the Rangers’ Service at Eastbrookend Country Park will provide angling tuition throughout the summer. Fully qualified, professional angling coaches are available to teach beginners. For further information, contact the Ranger Service on 0208 595 4155.

As Neil Winter explained, “This project will introduce people of all ages in Barking and Dagenham to a healthy and responsible sport which will give them a better quality of life.”

And commenting on the successful partnership between ourselves, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and Bardag Angling Society, he added, “This is an example of how we can work together to improve the natural environment and provide a valuable local resource for all local residents to enjoy.”

For more information

About this project or about angling in the Thames North East area, you can contact via email or telephone 01707 632447.