NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) intends to keep Lake Mulwala open for anglers despite a planned lowering of the Lake’s water level in late April to control an invasive aquatic weed.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority, in conjunction with Goulburn-Murray Water, has planned the lowering of the water level to control the spread of an Egeria densa, commonly known as dense waterweed.

NSW DPI Senior Fisheries Manager Inland, Cameron Westaway, said he had received a number of enquiries from concerned anglers regarding the impact of the lowering of Lake Mulwala.

"They wanted to know what effect this would have on the Murray cod fishery and whether we would instigate a fishing closure," he said. 

"NSW DPI is not going to implement a fishing closure on the lake as the fishing is good at this time of year regardless of the lowering."

Mr Westaway said access would be somewhat restricted, and provided anglers stick to bag and size limits, NSW DPI did not believe that fishing posed a serious risk to Murray cod populations in the Lake.

"Lake Mulwala is our premier Murray cod fishery and we are committed to ensuring its sustainability," he said.

Fisheries Officers will be monitoring the situation and if anyone sees any illegal activity they should report it on (02) 6042 4204 or 0419 185 548.

Anglers are reminded that the size limit for a Murray cod has increased from 55cm to 60cm when the annual Murray Cod season started in December last year.

There is a daily bag limit of two Murray cod per person a day and a total possession limit of four from either rivers or dams. The minimum legal length of Murray cod is 60cm, but anglers can keep only one fish of more than 100cm in length.

Detailed information on freshwater fishing rules can be found at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries/recreational/regulations and in the NSW DPI freshwater fishing guide.

These are available from NSW DPI Fisheries offices and most places where NSW recreational fishing licenses are sold.

Media contact: Sarah Chester on (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669