The Narrandera Fisheries Centre (NFC), 6 km east of Narrandera, was opened in 1962 as a research centre to study the breeding biology and ecology of inland aquatic systems. Since then, NFC has been the centre of inland freshwater fisheries research in New South Wales, and has also developed into a productive hatchery, providing fingerlings of four native fish species (Murray cod, Trout cod, Golden perch and Silver perch) to improve freshwater recreational fisheries and conservation initiatives.

The Centre fulfils a number of roles including breeding, conservation, environmental surveys, NSW rivers management, aquaculture, reporting on illegal activities and community education. It aims to raise public awareness of the state of native fish populations.

The Centre also performs important scientific research into all native and alien species of fish in the Murray-Darling Basin. These species range from popular recreational species such as Murray cod, golden perch and silver perch, to small forage species like Murray rainbow fish, Australian smelt and the endangered purple spotted gudgeon.

NFC is a small, multi-disciplinary facility containing staff from Fisheries Research, Corporate Services, Aquaculture and Indigenous Fisheries and Charles Sturt University. We also host vocational placement and university researchers from time to time.

History

John Lake - an Australian pioneer in research and breeding native inland fish joined NSW State Fisheries in 1949 after graduating from Sydney University. His initial work on trout was widely recognised throughout NSW and he transferred these skills to perform pioneering research on native fish of the Murray-Darling Basin.

In 1962 he was appointed biologist-in-charge at the Inland Fisheries Research Station at Narrandera where he played a significant role in developing the research facilities to breed Murray cod, silver perch, golden perch and catfish, the major inland angling species.

In late 1966 John Lake left the station to take a position as Senior Lecturer in Biology at Sydney University. He became Director of Forestry, Fisheries, Wildlife and National Parks for the Northern Territory in 1971, and later Senior Lecturer in Biology at the Northern Rivers College of Advanced Education.

After a distinguished career of applied research, administration and education, John died in 1977.

Key research

The overall objective of aquatic ecosystem research is to improve the understanding of the aquatic environment to enable effective management and continued sustainability of aquatic resources in NSW. more>...

Fish breeding program

Over 42 million fingerlings have been produced at the NFC since 1976. These are stocked annually over a large part of New South Wales, ranging from Inverell in the North, Lake Mulwala to the South and Broken Hill to the West. more>...

John Lake Centre

The Narrandera site also incorporates the ‘John Lake Centre’ a modern educational facility that is an invaluable tool for schools and the general public. Both native and introduced species are on display, including 'Agro', a large Murray cod, as well as a theatrette, beautiful parklands and a small lake. Four fishing workshops for children between the ages of 8 and 14 are held annually and regular daily tours of the centre cater for people from a diverse range of ages and backgrounds.  

Individual and group visitors are welcome.

General tour prices (incl GST) as at July 2012

Adults $7.70
Children under 18 $4.40

Pensioners $6.60
Family (2 adults and 2 children) $19.80

Opening hours and guided tours

The centre is open for inspection from Monday to Friday (except public holidays), with guided tours commencing daily at 9am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm.

Facilities

The Narrandera Fisheries Centre has a range of facilities including meeting rooms, fisheries hatchery and research facilities, and workshops. more>...

Career opportunities

Narrandera Fisheries Centre employs staff for corporate services, research services, and hatchery production. Staff needs are seasonal and largely project based. more>...

Partners and alliances

Narrandera Fisheries Centre works with a number of key and secondary partners, including the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Rural Research and Development Corporations, government agencies, and Catchment Management Authorities, as well as Charles Sturt University. more>...

Contact details

• more contact details including a map
  

Site Enquiries (Leslie Rava; Manager): 02 6958 8201, leslie.rava@industry.nsw.gov.au

Research Enquiries (Lee Baumgartner, Senior Research Scientist): 02 6958 8215, lee.baumgartner@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Hatchery and fish breeding (Matthew McLellan; Hatchery Manager): 02 6958 8221, matthew.mclellan@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Tours and bookings (Lyn Smith or Trish Evans; Regional Administration Officers): 02 6958 8200, lyn.smith@dpi.nsw.gov.au, trish.evans@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Freshwater Tag Returns (1800 185 027 or 02 6958 8211);  chris.smith@dpi.nsw.gov.au or jonathon.doyle@dpi.nsw.gov.au