A MIGHTY big fish will be tempting anglers this season.

A massive rainbow trout weighing in excess of 20lbs, reared at the Department of Agricultural, Fisheries and Forestry Fish Hatchery at Cornaa, Maughold, has been released into one of the Island's six reservoirs.

Which one, though, remains a closely-guarded secret!

Whoever catches the fish is likely to find their way into the local record books for the biggest rod-caught rainbow trout, breaking the current record of 18lb 14oz, set in 2000.

The department says the release illustrates the continued improvement in recent years of reservoir fishing on the Island, which has seen the introduction of triploid trout (females that do not produce eggs) and an ever increasing number of trophy-sized fish.

A season licence costs £130 for 236 days' fishing and concessionary licences are available for students, senior citizens and disabled anglers. Day licences are available at £14.50 and week licences £46.

They are available from many outlets including Post Offices, tackle shops, DAFF offices and the Sea Terminal.

The reservoirs (Sulby, Baldwin, Cringle, Clypse, Kerrowdhoo and
Ballure) are stocked on a weekly or fortnightly basis with high quality fish.