Okay to fish at 3 more reservoirs

Spots will be opened at MacRitchie, Lower Peirce, and Upper Seletar following a proposal by fishing body

By Neo Hui Min

FISHING enthusiasts have been given the green light to cast their nets wider, so to speak.

From Monday, they will be able to fish at designated spots at three more reservoirs - MacRitchie, Lower Peirce, and Upper Seletar.

Now, they can do so only at specified spots at Kranji and Lower Seletar reservoirs, as well as Jurong Lake.

Each new fishing area will be marked by a signboard.

At MacRitchie Reservoir, the fishing spot is accessible from the footpath near the Lornie-Thomson road junction bus-stop.

At Upper Seletar, the area is by the carpark along Mandai Road.

Anglers going to Lower Peirce should approach along Old Upper Thomson Road. A footpath at the carpark at the end of road leads to the fishing ground.

Mr Chin Chi Khiong, president of the Sport Fishing Association (SFA), said the public had been pushing it to get more reservoirs opened for fishing.

''It is everybody's dream to be able to fish in the reservoirs and, with so many requests from the public, we submitted a proposal to the authorities,'' he said.

''And, if everybody behaves well, I guess the authorities will open up more places.''

It was reported last month that 801 people were caught for fishing illegally last year.

Mr Sam Wong, 35, a sales manager said the additional fishing spots called for a celebration.

''I always have lure fishing gear in my car and, sometimes, when I pass these spots, I cast just for fun. Now there are more places to fish,'' he said.

Another angler, Mr Colin Ng, owner of fishing store Tickle Tackle, said more controls should be imposed on fishermen to prevent the irresponsible ones from polluting the reservoirs.

Checks should be made, he said, that anglers do not throw trash into the reservoirs, or wander off to areas not designated for fishing.

Fishing will be allowed around the clock at the MacRitchie and Upper Seletar, but the Lower Peirce site will be open between 7am and 7pm.

At all the sites, only rods or lines, and artificial bait can be used.

With the opening up of more fishing areas, the Public Utilities Board, National Parks Board, the Singapore Sports Council and the SFA hope to encourage more people to take up sport fishing.

Unlike normal fishing, in which the angler has little to do until a fish bites, sport fishing involves luring the fish actively.

This is done by pulling artificial baits - which sometimes look like fish - through the water, and the angler has to have a good knowledge of his prey.

The SFA will hold a demonstration of sport fishing at the Upper Seletar Reservoir on Dec 23.

And if there is demand, it will also organise sport-fishing courses.