General Information

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.  Fish stocking in estuarine waters is being assessed currently by the department. 

Fish stocking in public waters

• Dollar for dollar native freshwater fish stocking program 
• Enhanced freshwater fish production
• Application to stock public waters in NSW (freshwater)  30Kb
• Draft native freshwater fish stocking plan 2011/12

Don’t dump that fish!

Many fish are not native to Australia, or to your local area and if released they are difficult to eliminate and pose a serious threat to fragile ecosystems and important industries. 

Setting fish free may mean they die from starvation or disease. Fish that survive and breed will compete with local native species for food and space. They may also spread disease and parasites, and damage natural habitats.

Keeping fish is fun, but releasing fish from your aquarium, pond or other sources can pose a serious threat to our ecosystems and they can also spread diseases and parasites. Give unwanted aquarium fish to friends or a pet shop, or dispose of them in a humane manner, rather than letting them go in the wild.  Prevent accidental fish escapes by screening outdoor ponds to prevent overflow during heavy rains.

It is illegal to release fish into public waters in NSW without a fish stocking permit. Obtain a free permit to stock fish in public waters and then buy fingerlings for stocking from a registered hatchery, to minimise the chances of contamination with undesirable species. 

Fish stocking permit

Fish stocking in public waters of NSW requires a permit under the Fisheries Management Act 1994. Permits are issued free of charge, however certain conditions must be met. To apply for a freshwater fish stocking permit complete the following application and submit it to the address outlined on the form. Fish stocking permits for marine fish species currently require different assessment processes. To discuss opportunities for marine fish stocking please call 02 6042 4202. Note. It is an offence to stock fish into public waters without a fish stocking permit and heavy penalties apply. For more information call 02 4916 3835.

• Fish hatcheries in NSW supplying fish for stocking in public waters  40Kb
• Safe transport of fish and stocking code of practice

Waters stocked / stocking figures

Fish stocking in private waters

A fish stocking permit is not required for fish stocking in private waters such as farm dams.

• Stocking fish in farm dams (Primefact 89).
• Fish hatcheries in NSW supplying fish for farm dam stocking

Fish stocking environmental assessments

• Marine fish stocking
• Freshwater Fish Stocking Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Freshwater Fishery Management Strategy (FMS)