THE boating lake in Lydney Park has been dubbed by the RSPCA as a litter blackspot which puts the lives of animals and birds at risk.
However the secretary of Lydney Angling Club, Malcolm Skelton, reacted angrily saying it was the first he had heard of any such incidents this year.
The animal welfare organisation named the pool as one of seven in the region raising special concerns.
It was making an appeal for people to be more careful when they dispose of rubbish, particularly used fishing line and hooks and the plastic holders from drinks cans.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA told the Review that she believed the majority of serious fishermen behaved responsibly at the lake. It was largely people who fished once or twice a year who did not think of the consequences of discarding line.
"But we have had up to 50 or 60 yards of line round swans," she said, adding that they could not launch boats with just a single officer who could be in big trouble if they fell overboard.
And RSPCA regional superintendent Tom Austin said: "Every time a rescue takes place on water it ties up two inspectors for several hours. This time could be spent helping other animals in distress.
"These incidents can easily be prevented. If people thought carefully before they dumped their rubbish many animals would be saved from injury and death."
But Mr Skelton said he thought the RSPCA was looking back over several years in making its claim, and as far as his members were concerned litter and discarded line would lead to an instant ban.
"It states this clearly in the rules. We have officials of the club walking around the lake at least once a day checking," he said, adding that it was impossible to take responsibility for the behaviour of the general public as well as his members.
The RSPCA says it is also planning to target schoolchildren around the worst litter blackspots to teach the dangers of dropping rubbish.