Inland fisheries benefit from "perfect storm"

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is predicting significantly increased fish numbers and fish growth in inland waterways over coming seasons thanks to the perfect storm of extensive fish stocking, coupled with widespread good rains during the past two years.

Senior Inland Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said anglers are about to reap the rewards of years of stocking inland rivers and dams now that water levels have improved.

"Almost five million fish were released in 2011-2012, bringing the total number of fish bred by DPI and commercial hatcheries over the past four years for release into the state’s waterways to more than 20 million," Mr Westaway said.

"Species released for recreational fishing include rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, atlantic salmon, golden perch, silver perch, Australian bass and Murray cod.

"Protected species such as trout cod and Macquarie perch have also been released as part of conservation stocking programs."

Mr Westaway said the chances of a much greater proportion of those fish surviving and growing to maturity have significantly increased thanks to the drought-breaking rains throughout NSW over the past two years.

"Improved fish habitat and more feed has enabled survival rates to increase and improved growth rates, rewarding anglers in most inland areas in coming seasons with the best fishing for many years," he said.

The stocking program is funded in part by the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust with money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee.