sage ,
if they have removed some ,that would always happen anyway a drop in numbers attending, some people just dont like to work for there fish,and if its been "easy" for them they will find somewhere just as easy ,personally i would prefer it with less people and good quality fish ,but i rarely fish stillwaters only when i have to , but for me better quality of fish thats had less hammer will always be a good thing

maybe a talk with the owner will throw some light on the subject ,if he/she a good fishery manager im sure they would tell you the truth, on another note has the cold snap put them off and sent them very deep ??