Trout decline in Lake Eucumbene
Angler survey to measure fishing and address declining stocks in iconic Lake EucumbeneThe NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is undertaking a survey of anglers in Lake Eucumbene over summer, to measure all aspects of recreational fishing in the area.
It aims to quantify fishing effort, catch-and-release, harvest, reasons for release, species composition (brown versus rainbow trout), and size structure within the Lake Eucumbene recreational fishery.
The need to understand the recreational fishery in Lake Eucumbene was highlighted by poor angler returns of rainbow trout and low numbers of this species in the annual spawning run, following the end of the millennium drought in 2010/11.
The three-month survey commenced on October 31and will conclude on January 31, 2016, and is supported by the recreational fishing trust (fishing licences).
DPI Senior Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said the survey would provide a comprehensive view of fishing in the lake.
"Preliminary results suggest rainbow trout are in the early stages of population recovery following two years of low catches and reduced fish numbers in the annual spawning run," Mr Westaway said.
"It is reported there is a strong cohort of rainbow trout between 27 and 32cm, which many fishers are voluntarily releasing. It is these fish that should grow and strengthen the fishery in coming years.
"Anglers who have been putting in the hours trolling lures, bait fishing or fly casting have been rewarded with excellent catches of both brown and rainbow trout.
"While anglers fishing in Lake Eucumbene have reported good fishing, Jindabyne, Tantangara and the Snowy Mountains lakes are also fishing well and are destinations worth adding to your fishing calendar this summer."
The majority of rainbow trout in Lake Eucumbene are naturally spawned with assistance provided by DPI through the NSW Fish Stocking Program. This includes the stocking of 150,000 rainbow trout annually since the year 2000.
However, all brown trout in Lake Eucumbene are spawned naturally.
Anglers fishing in the area are urged to assist DPI researchers and discuss their experiences fishing in the lake. Final results of the survey are expected to be released in late 2016.
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