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Whiling away an afternoon in the sun, watching the light bouncing of the river, listening to the birds singing and feeling a gentle breeze - it lifts the spirits - on top of all that happiness you're enjoying your fave' past time.

Angling takes thousands upon thousands of men, women and children out of the house and up river and stream, canal, pond and lake. Mildenhall and the surrounding villages are lucky to have the River Lark on their doorstep and the LAPS taking care of the river and anglers who enjoy it.

  The beautiful River Lark, heading upstream from the White Stone, Mildenhall

HISTORY

The Lark Angling & Preservation Society was founded in 1893 by a group of local landowners and anglers, with the aim of protecting and maintaining the River Lark and its wildlife for future generations. Over one hundred years later, the Society is still carrying out that role.

THE SOCIETY TODAY
Although the Lark Angling & Preservation Society is usually regarded as just an angling club, in recent years they have been involved in a whole host of diverse environmental projects throughout the local area. As well as improving access to the river between Barton Mills and Mildenhall (especially for the disabled), they have also helped create wildlife ponds at seven local schools, installed a disabled access path and fishing platforms at Brandon Lake, and are currently involved in the development of Barton Mills local nature reserve.

THE RIVER LARK
The River Lark rises south of Bury St. Edmunds and flows north-west across Suffolk and into Cambridgeshire, where it joins the Great Ouse near Prickwillow. In its upper and middle reaches the Lark is a lowland chalk stream. The water quality in the river is generally very good and as a result it supports over 20 species of fish plus a vast array of life from tiny invertebrates up to mammals such as otters.

LAPS MAPS (click to view full size, 9 maps in the series)

VM had a little time to talk to Roger Pigerham, Liason Officer at Lark Angling & Preservation Society to get some details on fishing in the area.

VM At VisitMildenhall we've been known to drown bait between the White Stone and Gas Pool in Mildenhall. What's your favourite place to fish along here, and how do you fish it?
RP 

VM You have a sizeable organisation taking care of the river, wetlands and natural areas around Mildenhall, do you think the community is generally aware of the work you do?
LAPS 

VM So, the team, when it comes to coarse fishing where do they enjoy fishing most?
RP 

VM What can anglers expect to catch around here?
RP 

VM From the info' you've supplied us it looks like you have a good program for under 16's - what can you tell us about it?
RP

VM What tips have you got for anyone new to the LAPS length of the Lark.
RP 

VM What does the future hold for LAPS, Lark and areas you take care of around Mildenhall?
RP

VM We greatly enjoyed this years 'Lark in the Park' on the Jubilee Fields [part organised by LAPS,Ed.]. It seemed bigger than in 2008... Do you have bigger plans for 2010?
RP

VM Obviously angling is a large part of LAPS, but you do a lot outside of this. Can you tell us a bit about the other aspects; the other projects and things that members of LAPS do around this area?
RP

VM It's been nice geting to chat. Is there anything you'd like to tell visitors to the site about, upcoming events and such?
RP

VM Thanks again for your time!

If you'd like to contribute, get involved, get LAPS educating kids at your school or find out more about this hard working group of unsung hereos please email VM, we'll put them in contact with you..

With thanks to LAPS for their time and content.

FISHING ON THE RIVER

The Lark Angling and Preservation Society controls the fishing on approximately twelve miles of river, from Lackford near Bury St. Edmunds out into the Fens. The first five miles or so operates as a fly only trout fishery; from Barton Mills downstream it becomes a mixed coarse fishery. The Lark is a diverse little river that varies in character around almost every bend, and with such a wide range of fish species present it allows the angler to fish just about every conceivable method, from stalking chub and grayling on fly fishing gear to specimen carp tactics.

THE SOCIETY FOR ALL
The Society holds regular junior teach-ins on the river during the summer and autumn which are open to under 16's. For more information contact their Youth Development Officer Karen Cowan on 01638 510182 or email here.

Tours of the Society's waters are available to members and they also offer a days fishing, free of charge, to anyone who would like to try the sport for the first time.

LAPS also hold other events on the river during the summer, such as 'Give Fishing a Go' days, disabled fishing days, Conservation days and Crayfish fishing days.

The Society holds regular working parties on the river thoughout the year, and is always looking for volunteers to help out. If you are interested in joining the Society, and would like more details about the Society and its work, or want more information about any of the items covered on this page, please contact the Liaison Officer, Mr Rodger Pigerham on 01638 510995 or email here.

COARSE WATERS

The Society has some eight miles of water available for Coarse Fishing. Riverbanks are generally easily accessable but some are harder to get to for the more adventurous angler.

The species of fish in the River Lark are varied and consist of Pike, Carp, Bream, Roach, Dace, Perch, Chub, Tench, Rudd, Grayling and even the odd wild Brown Trout.

FLY FISHING SECTION
The Society also has some 6 miles of fly fishing water available on the River Lark between Bury St. Edmunds and Mildenhall.

This is a great fly fishing experience with wild Brown Trout in excess of 4lbs and stocked Brown Trout up to 6lbs in weight.

JUNIOR SECTION
LAPS Hold events, teach-ins, matches and more for under 16's. To find out about these contact Karen Cowan, Head Coach by emailing here. If you have any ideas, or would like to get involved please email LAPS.

AMERICAN SIGNALCRAYFISH

A note to all anglers. American signal crayfish (orange tipped claws) caught on rod and line MUST be destroyed. Do not return them alive to the water. Fishing for them using any other method, i.e. hand lines and drop nets is only permitted on organized events. Trapping is strictly forbidden.

Volunteers are required to assist with the Crayfish program.

Please contact our liaision officer Roger Pigerham on 01638 51099 or email us here