Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
In January 2023, 2100 “advanced size” juvenile dusky flathead were stocked into Lake Macquarie, as part of a research project assessing techniques to enhance populations of this highly popular sportfish.
Fast forward to the 2024 Easter long weekend and the first reported tagged dusky from this cohort of fish has been recaptured. Keen angler Steve Vella caught and released the 35cm dusky flathead which had close to doubled in size from 17cm to 35cm in the space of 14 months, confirming that the fish have grown to a size that they are starting to enter the recreational fishery.
The dusky was first released in the eastern area of Lake Macquarie and was recaptured close to its original release location.
Just 1cm shy of the minimum legal length for dusky flathead, this fish was sporting a visible external dart tag on its shoulder which allowed Steve to identify it as a stocked fish. DPI would like to remind fishers to keep an eye out for a small yellow dart tag on any flatties you catch in Lake Macquarie over coming months and years!
This marine stocking project is another example of your recreational fishing licence fees directly benefiting recreational fishers.
For more info, or to report the recapture of a tagged dusky flathead under the marine stocking program, please contact fisheries.enhancement@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Marine fish stocking
Fish stocking involves producing fish fry or fingerlings and releasing them into NSW waters. Fish stocking can provide many benefits such as creating new fisheries or augmenting existing ones and is recognised for its importance to the community in terms of quality recreational fishing, conservation outcomes, employment and subsequent economic benefits that have grown in response to the activity over many years.
Fish stocking must be conducted responsibly to conserve and protect our unique biodiversity. Fish stocking supports some of our most important inland fisheries including the australian bass fishery in Glenbawn dam, Murray cod and golden perch fisheries in impoundments such as Copeton, Pindari, Burrinjuck and Blowering dams and our trout fisheries in the Snowy Mountains, Southern Highlands and Central and New England tablelands.
This is all part of ‘Fish for Life’ – Building a healthy fishing future’.
