Hanover Township Council approved fishing in Catasauqua Lake during its meeting March 6.

The lake is in Canal Park and has been part of an ongoing effort by the township to make the park a top-rated outdoor venue. The township drained the lake in 2012 and reworked the bed to make it more conducive for aquatic life - not just fish, but turtles and all manner of flora.

Unfortunately, some sinkholes developed in the following years. The sinkholes were filled and the lake rejuvenated.

With the balance of fish life and the lake water back up to natural levels, the request was made to allow fishing.

Council voted to allow catch-and-release fishing year-round.

Township Manager Christopher Garges confirmed meetings to start work on a multimunicipality comprehensive plan with Catasauqua and North Catasauqua boroughs are moving forward. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission agreed with the cooperative effort.