Aussie bass bonanza

Recreational anglers in Gippsland have welcomed in the New Year with a record stocking of more than 454,000 Australian bass fingerlings into 19 rivers and lakes.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said the new record would deliver long-lasting benefits for freshwater fishers, nearly tripling the previous record of 162,000 bass fingerlings released in 2016.

“Right across the state, fish stocking records continue to be broken. We’re proud to lead the charge right here in East Gippsland, helping more anglers reel in a catch of the day more often,” said the Minister.

Australian bass are an iconic sportfish and through the Andrews Labor Government’s Target One Million plan we are accelerating the development of these fisheries which will  deliver direct benefits to anglers and regional businesses that depend on tourism.

Bass stockings in Gippsland have gone from strength to strength since its commencement in 2002 and there are now several supreme fisheries including Blue Rock Lake and Lake Glenmaggie.

AUSSIE BASS BONANZA
The 454,000 bass, which were grown at a private hatchery in Narooma using wild brood stock collected in Gippsland, have been released into:
Snowy River 90,000
Tambo River 27,500
Timbarra River 20,000
Mitchell River 110,000
Wonnangatta River 40,000
Avon River 9000
Blue Rock Lake 30,000
Lake Glenmaggie 35,000
Macalister River 43,500
Thomson River 15,000
Lake Narracan 5000
Tyers River 5000
Cowwarr Weir 4000
Freestone Creek 3000
Lake Hyland 3000
Rainbow Creek 3000
Lake Guthridge 7500
Traralgon Creek 2000
Valencia Creek  2000

Anglers can expect to hear more in coming months about the release of four million native fish this summer including Murray cod, golden perch and silver perch, alongside species of conservation significance such as Macquarie perch and trout cod.

For more information about Australian bass stocking.