Anglers in Doncaster are campaigning to prevent a potential fishing ban at Askern Lake after councillors warned that anti-social behaviour and harm to wildlife must stop. City of Doncaster Council said no ban is currently in place, but local councillors have raised concerns after birds, including geese, were injured by fishing lines and had to be taken to animal sanctuaries for care.

Councillor Gerald Squire said fishing itself was not the target but that current problems could not continue, while councillor Vicky Lawson said the trouble was mainly caused by unsupervised, bored children and some adults, with a minority harming wildlife; she suggested educating and supervising young anglers with volunteer help. Askern town councillor John Rowley, who runs a local angling supplies shop, is leading efforts to avoid a ban, arguing it would be a "knee-jerk reaction" and highlighting fishing's mental health benefits. He and around a dozen volunteers hope to set up a local fishing club issuing tickets to anglers, allowing them to monitor litter, discarded fishing lines and anti-social behaviour at the lake.