Lake open after fish deaths alert

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One of Scotland's most popular angling spots has reopened two weeks after thousands of fish were found dead.

Lake of Menteith, near Aberfoyle in the Trossachs, was closed to fishing to allow scientists to investigate the deaths of more than 10,000 fish.

An aquatic scientist carried out a series of tests before declaring the lake safe for fishing.

Professor Ronald Roberts said there had been "a significant toxic event related to water quality".

However, the professor said it was a "temporary situation" which should not recur.

Prof Roberts, president of the World Aquatic Veterinary Medicine Association and emeritus professor at Stirling University, cooked and ate a fish from the lake to back up his claims that it was now safe.

It has been a difficult number of weeks but is time to enjoy living in the area again Quint GlenLake of Menteith fisheries

He said: "There was no muddy taste or algal taint, and the fish has caused me no negative effect.

"I am therefore happy to recommend that the fishery is now likely to be safe to open and that there should be no problem with successful anglers consuming their catch."

Prof Roberts prepared a report for the Lake of Menteith fishery company after visiting the lake on Thursday.

He said the fish that died had probably suffocated after "an upwelling of toxic anaerobic organic matter, gases and associated bacterial toxins from the very cold and deepest part of the lake".

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) also said they had found no evidence of pollution, disease or poisonous algae in the lake, which will be one of the venues for the world fly fishing "Olympics", being held in Scotland for the first time in June.

Lake of Menteith fisheries manager Quint Glen said: "The Department of Public Health have been given full details of the fish loss event, and have indicated that on this basis anglers may resume angling and eating their catch.

"We have been restocking all week.

"It has been a difficult number of weeks but is time to enjoy living in the area again."