How do I buy a lake?

[abigibbs]

I am looking to buy a lake within the South, for around �40k, with a view to creating a fishery...and cannot seem to find anywhere that specifically deals with lake sales, merely land in general. Any ideas anyone?

[rinkytink]

This is not an expert opinion - just my own ! I would have thought that you buy a piece of land and if it has a lake on it you own that as well. Surely you can't own a lake and not the land it is in/on.

[abigibbs]

Thank you Rinkytink, and yes, you do own the lake if on the land you own, but I am struggling with where to find land with lakes on it to buy!!! I don't just want the lake, the area around it is needed for access track, possibly car parking, etc...but thank you anyway. :o)

[sddsddean]

I know of 'entrepeneurs'(sp) round here who have bought a parcel of land and then dug the lake out to create a money spinning fishery. I think you are going to need a bit more dosh though. I live in Northants and 'fields' are around �150K/acre (and I think you would need at least that). Down South it could easily be double that.

[abigibbs]

Thanks Sddsddean, and yes, it is a bit of a long shot, though I have already found (agreeably only one) a website that sells land with a view to fisheries, and plots start from around �50k, so at the moment I am still (just) in the price range. I have also looked into digging my own, and it actually costs massive amounts of money, and also very hard to get permission to do this, hence why I am looking for plot already established. Here's hoping, though!! :o)

[rekstout]

Get a copy of Country Life - they have plenty of ads for land, particulary suitable for various outdoor pursuits including fishing lakes - at the very least it would put you on to agents dealing specifically with the sort of land purchase you are after.

Don't forget you will probabaly have to consult with various agencises (MAFF, DEFRA, Local Council) before going too far and expending too much cash and effort

150K an acre sounds a bit steep for rurla land - rural should be more around 20K-40K and acre - possibly more if it has some infrastucture.

[jjf2003]

I don't think anybody should be allowed to own a lake. It's ridiculous, a feature of the landscape, which should be enjoyed by the people and animal life, owned by some profiteer who looks at a beautiful lake and sees a fish factory or at a lovely forest and sees a sawmill / timber yard. To some people it's all money, money, money.

[abigibbs]

Thank you JJF2003 for your opinion...you're obviously not a fan of angling, and that is entirely your perogative... However, most lakes are not at all 'natural', as most have been specifically man-made, or are a by-product of something man-made, and any healthy lake is usually maintained by man to a high degree. I also personally believe that there is nothing more beautiful than wanting to be part of maintaining a piece of nature for the pleasure of the human race. It actually happens to be a big passion and dream of mine, and nothing as shallow as a money-spinner...do you realise how long it takes to get a lake up and running?? Believe me, there are quicker ways to make money...! It is also highly unfair to compare this to looking at a forest and seeing a timbermill, that is destroying nature, this is enhancing and maintaining it to it's best potential.

[rinkytink]

Have you thought about France ? There was a documentary on the other night on channel 4 about a guy and his family who bought a piece of land, lake and living accommadation. He sunk his 40k savings into the project - filled the lake with carp and has anglers come over from the UK. He's just finished his first year and all seems to be going okay - very hard work though. Can't remember the name of the docu. - it's part of a series about folks who go for huge lifestyle changes - very interesting though.

[rinkytink]

Just been on the channel 4 site. There is a good section all about property - you could try posting a question on one of their forums _ http://www.channel4.com/life/microsites/0-9/4homes
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[gazzawazza]

I think Lakes "R" Us have some offers on at the moment, buy one, get one free.

[gazzawazza]

Only joking...