More Fish for the Hunter Region

Fish stocks in the Hunter Region will get a significant boost with more than 200,000 Australian bass fry expected to be released into local dams and reservoirs over the next two months.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Acting Director Fisheries Management, Anthony Hurst, said these are the first bass releases for the season and should be ready for anglers to catch in a couple of years.

“The fish have been bred at the NSW Government hatchery at the Port Stephens Fisheries Centre, which is one of five government hatcheries that produce fish for public release. These bass fry will be released in the coming weeks by DPI staff and local fishing clubs.”

These releases include:

• 125,000 into Lake Glenbawn near Scone
• 50,000 into Glennies Creek Dam near Singleton
• 10,000 into Lake Liddel near Liddel
• 7,500 into Lostock dam near East Gresford
• 7,500 into Pourmalong Creek dam near Morrisett
• 6,000 into a number of small dams at Brooklyn, Gosford, Newcastle and Port Stephens

“Glenbawn and Glennies Creek dams are amongst Australia’s premier impoundment fisheries with anglers travelling from near and far to target bass, which is a great sportfish.

“Freshwater fishing plays a valuable role in boosting tourism and providing economic opportunities for regional economies.

“The NSW Government is providing $1.1 million for its stocking program this year to ensure anglers can continue to enjoy freshwater fishing,” Mr Hurst said.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will soon publish a fishery management strategy for fish stocking in NSW freshwaters, following extensive consultation with stakeholders and a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment. The strategy will ensure that stocking continues to be conducted with appropriate environmental controls, and generates quality recreational fishing outcomes for the people of NSW.