Freshwater fish stocking kicks off across NSW

NSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair has announced the start of the 2015/16 fish stocking season, which will see millions of fish released into NSW waterways to maintain and enhance our inland recreational fisheries.

To kick start the highly anticipated freshwater fish-stocking season, Department of Primary Industries fish hatchery staff last week released up to 50,000 juvenile Australian bass into Glennies Creek Dam near Singleton.

“This state’s world-class fish stocking program is not only a great benefit to recreational fishers wetting a line, but also provides a boost to our regional communities by creating jobs and generating tourism to some of the best fishing spots in NSW,” Mr Blair said.

“This is yet another great example of how funds raised through the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts are invested back into an industry that generates about $1.6 billion for the NSW economy and creates about 14,000 jobs.”

Last week, NSW DPI also stocked 15,000 juvenile Australian bass into Lostock Dam near East Gresford and up to 70,000 juvenile Australian bass into Glenbawn Dam near Scone.

The bass, which were bred at the DPI Port Stephens Fisheries Institute near Nelson Bay, will be ready to catch in three to four years.

Following on from these fish releases, hatchery staff will this week stock 80 large adult rainbow trout, bred at the DPI Dutton Trout Hatchery near Ebor, into Sheba Dams, Hanging Rock near Nundle.

The trout range in size from 2kg to 5kg, are between 50cm and 70cm in length and will give anglers the chance to catch a trophy trout in the coming weeks and months.

Sheba Dams are a great place to catch a trout and the addition of these fish will provide an extra incentive for anglers to visit these areas.

Last season about five million native fish, trout and salmon were stocked in NSW waterways.

Recreational fishers are reminded that they are required to carry a current NSW recreational fishing fee receipt at all times while fishing.

Recreational fishers are encouraged to use the NSW Recreational Fishing Guide, available from DPI Fisheries Offices, most tackle shops or online at www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au

For more NSW stocking news, click here!