Giant pike sought during draining of Union Canal

Electro-fishing to remove fish from the Union Canal in Linlithgow today. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

The fish is believed to be the largest left in a three-mile section being emptied around Linlithgow.

Hundreds of pike, tench, perch and other species are being removed prior to inspections of the 200-year-old canal’s sides and bottom for leaks.

They are being transferred to adjacent sections of the Falkirk to Edinburgh waterway.

A roach caught during draining of the Union Canal in Linlithgow today. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

BACKGROUND: Three mile section of Union Canal to be drained

The canal depth has reduced by about half to around 0.5m since the operation started on Friday to remove 30,000 cubic metres of water - enough to fill 12 Olympic-size swimming pools.

The pike, believed to weigh around 25lb, has been sighted by fishery scientists clearing the canal.

It is thought to be almost as large as the biggest pike to be found in the canal - a 1.2m-long monster weighing 33lb.

Fishery scientists using electro-fishing to clear the Union Canal in Linlithgow today. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

The largest caught so far is 68cm long.

Others caught by anglers in the past have been given names such as President and Ambassador.

Linton McBurnie, a canalside ranger with Scottish Canals, said: “We’ve seen the dorsel fin break the surface.

“The pike is alert to what’s happening and can feel that the water levels are down.

A smaller pike caught today during draining of the union Canal in Linlithgow. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

“They are predators that are constantly eating - if something moves past them, they will have a go at it.”

The fish - up to 1,000 - are being caught using electro-fishing.

A small electric current in the water stuns the fish without harming them.

They swim to the surface and are scooped up in nets, then transferred to tanks to be taken along the canal to be released.

Mr McBurnie said the fish caught so far were in good condition.

He said: “Their colours are bright showing they are in good health and in ideal water conditions, and settled down quickly after being caught.”

Scottish Canals officials are eagerly anticipating completion of the draining process, which started last Friday, later this week.

It is the most extensive draining of the canal for 50 years.

Among other species expected to be uncovered include freshwater sponges, described as looking like witches’ hands.

Discoveries elsewhere on the network have included a box of love letter on the Caledonian Canal in the Highlands, and bombs on the Forth & Clyde in Clydebank.

A mammoth tusk was found during construction of the Union Canal between 1818 and 1822.

Infrastructure director Richard Millar said: “You can never quite tell what a canal is going to yield up.

“I suspect there be some boat propellers, 100-year-old bottles - and mobile phones.

“This operation is a mix of engineering and archaeology, and will give us a fuller understanding of the condition of the canal.”

Heritage manager Chris O’Connell said clay pipes and tools from the canal’s construction may also be waiting to be discovered.

He said: “We’ll be able to find things in spots which dredging has missed, and materials like wood and leather are preserved quite well in silt underwater.”

Heritage and environment manager Dr Olivia Lassiere said: “This is an inspection of a scheduled monument that has the same status as Edinburgh Castle.

“We will be looking for holes and then put together a work plan because it is very difficult to assess the canal with the water in.”

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