Murray cod and crayfish closed seasons 

Fishing for Murray crayfish in the Murray River between the Hume Weir and Tocumwal road bridge and the Murrumbidgee River between the Gundagai road bridge and Berembed Weir has ceased from 1 September until 1 June next year. The Murray crayfish fishery is closed to protect this vulnerable species, although fishing is permitted in the above specified waters between June and August each year.  

Fishing for Murray cod is prohibited from 1 September until 1 December each year in inland waters, except in Copeton and Blowering dams. The three-month closure helps protect cod during the breeding season. Anglers are reminded that the bag (two per day) and slot size (55 cm and 75 cm) limits apply if taking cod in the above impoundments over the closure period.  

Fishing laws are designed to protect, conserve and improve our fisheries resources for future generations. Information on freshwater fishing rules can be found online at this link. 

Animal Welfare Reform – SIGN the NSW Parliament E-Petition and SHARE far and wide

If you want to continue fishing you must SIGN this E-Petition to the NSW Parliament!

There is no doubt the animal rights movement are licking their lips; they think their time has come to finally get at fishing in this country while NSW DPI and Minister Adam Marshall are asleep at the wheel.

Every NSW fisher should question the NSW Government why it would blindly support the notion, that fishing “harms” the fish and why it would propose new laws that will specifically acknowledge psychological suffering in the definition of cruelty; in addition to the existing provisions around pain and physical suffering. 

Sign the E-petition here and stop this from progressing to becoming law in NSW. We have not had a proper debate around the issues, and until we do, recreational fishing is under threat.

RFA's submission to Legislative Council on floodplain harvesting
In August 2021 the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW made a detailed submission to the NSW Legislative Council's Select Committee on Floodplain Harvesting. You can read the submission at this link. The RFA has since been invited to give evidence at the hearing for the inquiry later this month. The NSW CFA is a member of the RFA of NSW.

Evidence of Macquarie perch in the Georges River

Local volunteers assisted the researchers taking water samples in the Georges River. Photo: OzFish Unlimited.

DNA sampling of the Georges River in south-western Sydney, NSW, has provided evidence to back up anecdotal stories of Macquarie perch in this river. This species had not been seen in the river since the 1990s. Once one of the most abundant freshwater species, Macquarie perch is now only known in a few waterways and entire populations in some of these had been lost or impacted heavily by the fires and recent floods. The confirmation of their presence with help target habitat rehabilitation work and control of threatening processes. More info at this link. 

National Fisheries Plan

Consultation on the National Fisheries Plan (Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment) is now open. 

The National Fisheries Plan aims to provide a shared vision and strategic framework to prioritise actions and enhance collaboration among Australian governments and sectors to drive sustainable growth of the Australian fishing and seafood community.

The plan has eight focus areas including governance, indigenous engagement, sustainability, adaptation to a changing environment and employment in the sector.

It’s vital that Australia has a plan in place that supports the sustainable growth of Australia’s fishing and seafood community.

To have your say and share your views on the draft plan, visit this link. 

Minister appoints new Fisheries Research and Development Corporation board
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud has appointed seven non-executive directors to the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) for a three-year term from 1 September 2021.

The five new non-executive directors and two returning non-executive directors come from across Australia and bring varied experience across business, energy resources and aquaculture.

“The directors will help to lead the FRDC’s ambitious plan to drive new ways to take fishing and aquaculture into the future," Minister Littleproud said.

The FRDC is a co-funded partnership between the Australian Government and the fishing and aquaculture industries. Revenue for research and development investment is based on a co-funding model between the Australian Government and the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.

The newly appointed FRDC directors are:
Professor Colin Buxton – Adjunct Professor, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Coasts Centre, Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania (reappointment)
Dr Chris Calogeras – Director, C-AID Consultants, Queensland (new appointment)
Dr Saranne Cooke – Director, Leading Age Services Australia, New South Wales (reappointment)
Mrs Suzanne (Suzi) Hullick – National Head of Indigenous Banking, Westpac Bank, Northern Territory (new appointment)
Mr Boris Musa – Chief Executive Officer, Mainstream Aquaculture, Victoria (new appointment)
Mr Alex Ogg – Manager, National Energy Resources Australia (new appointment)

Koi barrier to protect Lake Ruatuna fish habitat
Surrounded by koi-infested waterways, Lake Ruatuna on New Zealand’s North Island is mysteriously free of the pest. Known for being voracious eaters of just about anything and for degrading water quality, these pest fish are present in the stream that flows into the lake and in surrounding lakes. A new grill barrier has been installed at Lake Ruatuna to help prevent the spread of koi carp. The 30 mm spacings on the grill bar allow native fish to pass through and finger-type designs come off the barriers enabling eels, that can swim backwards, to raise the bars and swim through. Both features prevent koi carp entering the lake. More at this link. 

The design of this barrier enables native fish and eels to enter the lake but not koi. Photo: Waikato Times. 

Have your say on freshwater fish stocking

There are many impoundments and reservoirs suitable for freshwater fish stocking throughout NSW and over the past two decades a large number of excellent recreational fisheries have been established.

Native fish produced at DPI’s Narrandera Fisheries Centre and Port Stephens Fisheries Institute along with trout and salmonid species produced at DPI’s LP Dutton Trout Hatchery and Gaden Trout Hatchery are released into public impoundments and dams annually for the benefit of anglers and to continue to support recreational fishing opportunities.   

DPI has developed a new plan for recreational stocking of impoundments and dams for the 2021-2022 season and would like feedback on what is proposed for this and future stocking events. The draft plan in available at this link . Check it out and please return any comments before September 15. 

Nymboida fisheries patrol 

A DPI-Fisheries patrol was conducted of the Little Nymboida River (just west of Coffs Harbour) recently, in what is some of the most spectacular and breathtaking mountain country that NSW has to offer.

The mountain and gorge country up behind Ulong, NSW is quite remote and notoriously difficult to access, but the Little Nymboida River forms part of the greater catchment of the Mann and Nymboida Rivers which are closed to all forms of fishing at the moment (1 August - 31 October) to protect the endangered eastern freshwater cod during its spawning season. 

A total of four separate groups of campers were inspected during the patrol, which is a significant number considering the remoteness of the country. 

Thankfully, all campers were found to be fully compliant with the total fishing closure despite their camps being positioned right on the rivers edge where it would have been tempting to drop a line in the pristine waters! The level of compliance is appreciated.

Want to know more about the Menindee Lakes?

The Menindee Lakes are a series of natural lakes on the Darling-Baaka River in Far West NSW. The Lakes are massive – some are over 10 km wide – but they are relatively shallow even when full (5-10 m). They are incredibly productive wetlands and ideal for young developing native fish. We call this type of lake habitat “Nursery Habitat” for baby fish.

Flow events from rivers in the Northern Murray-Darling Basin (like the Warrego, Condamine, Macquarie, Namoi etc.) all contribute to flows along the Barwon-Darling that eventually reach the Menindee Lakes – sometimes months later!

Each lake has historically connected and disconnected from the river over time. Lake Cawndilla doesn’t have its own connection to the river, but instead fills via the natural connection to Lake Menindee.

The Menindee Lakes provide productive habitat for aquatic critters like fish, turtles and water birds. In recent decades, environmental water deliveries from the Menindee Lakes have been used to support the animals and plants in the Lower Darling-Baaka. Flows from Lake Cawndilla can also be delivered to water the ephemeral Great Darling Anabranch.

Access enhancements at Lake Wallace and The Mill Pond

Hard work by volunteers from the Wallerawang branch of the Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS) is paying off as two important recreational fishing enhancement projects near completion. Work involves construction of an access platform at Lake Wallace, a popular mixed fishery near Lithgow, plus site enhancements at The Mill Pond, a new trout fishery being developed at The Foundations at Portland, about 30 minutes’ drive from Lithgow.  

Both projects are supported by the Recreational Fishing Trusts. 

For more info on The Mill Pond fishery, check out this link.  For more info on CAS, including how to join up, see their website.

Tigers growing fast

A new generation of tiger trout are growing fast at our Gaden Trout Hatchery, after fertilised eggs laid down earlier in the year successfully hatched. Now in the fry stage of development, the tiny tigers are actively feeding and have been placed into the hatchery’s warm water recirculation system where they will be kept in optimum 14–16-degree water until conditions are suitable for them to be transferred to larger tanks outside. 

A sterile intergeneric hybrid of female brown trout and male brook trout, these tigers are destined for stocking into three impoundments – Lake Lyall, Lake Wallace and Thompsons Creek Dam – near Lithgow, west of Sydney. The stocking of this latest batch of tiger trout will mark the second year of a three-year trial to determine the effects of redfin predation, fishing appeal and economic return. Tigers are known to be aggressive feeders which grow quickly and present significant angling opportunities. As well as being fantastic sportfish, it is hoped the tigers will help control noxious redfin, which have impacted on brown and rainbow trout fisheries across NSW (see image above of a tiger trout recently stocked in Lake Lyall with a redfin from the same waterway). Easily identified by their distinctive stripes and colouration, the first cohort of tigers stocked earlier in the year will likely be nearing legal size of 25 cm. 

If you fish the Lithgow impoundments and are lucky enough to land a tiger, please let DPI know at fish.stocking@dpi.nsw.gov.au. 

Protecting fish habitat in the Snowy Mountains 

Fisheries Officers recently conducted audits on permits issued for bridge replacement and repair works in the Snowy Mountains region.

These audits are an important compliance tool to ensure that permit conditions aimed at protecting sensitive fish habitats are adhered to by the permit holders. The focus of these inspections was to ensure appropriate sediment and erosion controls had been installed and maintained at the worksites.

Failure to install and maintain sediment and erosion controls during and after active works can result in increased sediment load entering our sensitive high country waterways which in turn can impact fish habitat and fish spawning behaviour.

US trout streams failing in heat
The US website Huffington Post is reporting that treasured trout streams are withering amid heat and drought as climate change continues to wreak havoc across the American West.

The North Platte River in southern Wyoming has been so low in places lately that a toddler could easily wade across. Yet just over two years ago, workers stacked sandbags to protect homes and fishing cabins from raging brown floodwaters, the highest on record.

Both torrent and trickle have afflicted storied trout streams in the American West in recent years amid the havoc of climate change, which has made the region hotter and drier and fueled severe weather events. Blistering heat waves and extended drought have raised water temperatures and imperiled fish species in several states.

In the Rocky Mountains, the attention is on trout fishing, a big part of both the United States’ $1-billion-a-year fly fishing industry and the region’s over $100-billion-a-year outdoor recreation industry.

As air temperatures soared into the mid 80s F and beyond this summer, Yellowstone National Park shut down stream and river fishing from 2 p.m. until sunrise for a month. Montana imposed similar restrictions on fabled trout rivers including the Madison flowing out of Yellowstone.

Read the full story at this link.

Jindabyne's Les Therlof retires after 11 years in state's first inland marine rescue

Les (fourth from left) and the crew at Marine Rescue Alpine Lakes

ABC News is reporting that the founder of the state's first inland marine rescue, Les Threlfo, is hanging up his lifejacket for the last time.

A marine rescue unit for an inland lake might seem like a strange idea, but it always made sense to Les. Les helped set up the unit more than a decade ago, to help reduce the boating risk in Lake Jindabyne.

The Marine Rescue Alpine Lakes was the first inland unit. Most marine rescue units serve coastal communities, with only two operating inland at Jindabyne and Moama. At the time the unit was founded in 2009, it was the first of its kind.

Les set it up while serving as a member of the local RFS and as the Controller of the Snowy River SES unit. After 11 years of helping to establish and build the team that helped saved lives in the mountains, he has decided to call it a day.

"I'm going to miss it but health-wise I can't help it. I've loved every minute of it but it's time to let them run their own show now."

Full story on ABC News at this link.

COVID-19 safe fishing on the Namoi River

Fisheries Officers have been actively patrolling North Western NSW as native fish activity increases with recent rains and higher water flows.
 
Shown above is fully compliant local Manilla fisher Melanie Rosewarne on the Namoi River, checking in via QR Code with Officer Smith from the Peel Fisheries Office in Tamworth during a routine inspection.

The new QR codes will allow rapid and accurate traceability if there is a close contact with someone that is infected, and it enables Fisheries Officers to continue their important work as safely as possible during these challenging times.

For more information on NSW Fisheries Officers and how you can contact them, please visit their website. 

Get involved: join Maritime Safety Plan 2026 livestream and workshop

Transport for NSW is developing the Maritime Safety Plan 2026. They are also proposing changes to simplify and expand lifejacket wear requirements.

On Tuesday 14 September from 6 pm-7 pm, they are hosting a livestream event followed by workshops. The workshops will examine the draft plan and proposed changes to lifejacket wear requirements in greater detail and you will have the chance to share your feedback.

Register your interest via the Online Event tab here .

Thank you to our Foundation Members
These Foundation Members have generously made a special financial contribution to the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers in the interests of all freshwater anglers in NSW.

Australian Trout Foundation, Damian Balfour, The Barrington Club, Don Barton, Bill Blair, Ken Chapman, David Connon, David Copperthwaite, Richard Cottam, Radge Diakiw, Fred Dunford, Dan Frogan, Stefan Fuchs, Peter Gibson, William Hall, Max Harris. Kevin Kai, Rob Marich, Peter Mason, Neil McAully, NSW Rod Fishers' Society, David Pinsent, Wayne Power, Greg Prowse, Ian Roache, Don Salter, Paul Sanders, Joe Searl, David Sheers, Mike Timbrell, David Tinworth, Steve Tizard.

Freshwater anglers are invited to make a special contribution to the NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers (NSWCFA) in the interests of all freshwater anglers in NSW.

You will be well aware of the challenges freshwater anglers face in sustaining the freshwater fishery in NSW, especially regarding the preservation of angler access. The NSWCFA constantly strives to overcome those challenges but we need your financial support to meet the costs of that work.

We are appealing to members who can afford to make a small extra annual contribution to become NSWCFA Foundation Members to help meet our operating costs. Foundation Membership is just $25 per year—less than the cost of a NSW fishing licence.

Foundation Members are recognised on a special page in the NSWCFA website and at the foot of NSWCFA newsletters.

Your contribution will help meet the cost of hiring meeting venues across NSW and out-of-pocket expenses for committee members who attend meetings on your behalf (such as train, taxi, bus and parking). Your contributions will also be used for the production of our monthly email newsletters, which are sent to hundreds of members, for stationery, copying, postage, internet and telephone costs, insurance to cover the personal liability of committee members, affiliation fees to the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW and corporate return filing fees.

Click here for website with payment form and PayPal link.

Fishing season reminders

Bass
Zero bag limit for bass and estuary perch starts 1 May and ends 31 August. Catch and release is allowed. The zero bag limit does not apply to fish in stocked freshwater impoundments, including Glenbawn Dam and Glennies Creek Dam in the Hunter Valley, Brogo Dam near Bega and Clarrie Hall and Toonumbar Dams in the northeast; anglers may continue to fish for these species in those waters all year round.

Trout
Spawning season starts 1 May in the Snowy Mountains and special rules apply to the Thredbo River and its tributaries and the Eucumbene River and its tributaries (upstream of the Lake Eucumbene dam wall and including Providence Portal). A minimum size limit of 50 cm, daily bag limit of one and possession limit of two trout will apply to these rivers from 1 May to the end of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

Annual closure on fishing in trout streams for NSW will be in place from Tuesday after the Queen's Birthday weekend and re-opens on the October long weekend. Trout dams remain open to fishing throughout the year.

When the season opens again in October, a minimum size limit of 25 cm, daily bag limit of two and possession limit of four trout again applies to the Thredbo and Eucumbene Rivers and other fly and lure only waters in NSW.

Murray cod
Season closed in NSW from 1 September to 31 November, except Copeton Dam.

Eastern Freshwater Cod
The annual three month fishing closure of the Mann and Nymboida Rivers and their tributaries comes into effect 1 August to 31 October. All fishing in the specified area is prohibited to enable the endangered Eastern Freshwater Cod to spawn uninterrupted during its breeding season. Eastern Freshwater Cod are totally protected throughout NSW regardless of where or when they may be found.

Murray crayfish
Closed all year other than the following waters between 1 June and 31 August each year inclusive: (a) Murrumbidgee River between the Hume Highway road bridge, Gundagai and Berembed Weir near Ganmain and (b) Murray River from 130 below Hume Weir near Albury to the Newell Highway road bridge at Tocumwal

Fish Habitat Network on Facebook
FHN has a Facebook page that frequently carries news about fish habitat events and projects as well as links to news items from other states and countries.
Go to http://www.facebook.com/fishhabitatnetwork and Like their page to stay in touch.

Get your free Skin Check Guide
Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. Two in three of us will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer by the age of 70. More than 95% of skin cancers are treatable if found early so it is important to know what to look out for.

Protect yourself and your family by learning how to check for signs of skin cancer.

Download the Cancer Council of NSW free Skin Check Guide at this link.

Who represents anglers?

Recreational Fishing NSW Advisory Council
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfnsw

Recreational Fishing Freshwater Trust Expenditure Committee members and minutes
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfftec

Recreational Fishing Saltwater Trust Expenditure Committee members and minutes
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/recreational-fishing-fee/licence-fees-at-work/rfstec

Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Facebook page
www.facebook.com/RFANSW

NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NSWCFA

Is your club a member of the Council of Freshwater Anglers?
The NSW CFA is the main umbrella group for freshwater fishing organisations in NSW and enjoys a productive relationship with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and other agencies and recreational fishing organisations. We welcome all freshwater fishing clubs as members and as visitors to our meetings. Member organisations are able to send voting delegates to our quarterly meetings. For information about joining the NSW CFA, visit our website www.freshwateranglers.com.au or contact Mr Radge Diakiwv at diakiwv@live.com or (02) 9449 3539.|

Council of Freshwater Anglers Members
ACT Fly Fishers; The Barrington Club; Bass Kempsey; Canberra Anglers Association; Canberra Fisherman's Club; Central Coast Flyrodders; Clarence Fly Anglers; Council of Southern Districts Angling Clubs; Hastings Fly Fishers; Hunter Native Fish; Illawarra Fly Fishers; Lakeside Fly Fishing Club; Monaro Acclimatisation Society; New South Wales Rod Fishers' Society; Orange Trout Acclimatisation Society; Southern Bass Fishing Club; Sydney Fly Rodders.

Handy links
NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers Peak freshwater fishing body in NSW www.freshwateranglers.com.au
Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Peak recreational fishing organisation in NSW www.rfansw.com.au
NSW Department of Primary Industries www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fisheries
Fisherman's Watch Report all illegal activities Free call 1800 043 536
 
Privacy
Subscriber details collected for Freshwater Fisher are used only for this newsletter and are not used for any other mailings by the NSW CFA, nor are they revealed to or used by any other organisation.