Lake Kerferd fish survey results

by DPI Victoria on 13 Nov 2012 Last month, a fish survey of Lake Kerferd, near Beechworth, confirmed that stocked trout cod are surviving and growing alongside redfin and previously stocked golden perch. Thirty trout cod were caught - the biggest of which was 39cm and 800g and probably originated from the lake's first stocking in 2008.

At least three size classes of trout cod were captured, suggesting fingerlings from several years' stockings have contributed to the current population.

More than 9,400 trout cod fingerlings have been released into the lake to assist in the recovery of the species and to develop a small recreational fishery for this endangered fish, which cannot be taken by anglers anywhere in Victoria.

The survey results are encouraging and fisheries managers are looking forward to opening the fishery in coming years.

The survey also captured two golden perch of 41 and 46cm, weighing more than 1.5kg each, and nearly 50 small redfin to 15cm.

Unlike the trout cod in Kerferd, these stocked golden perch may be targeted right now by fishers and harvested according to the catch limits outlined here.

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/" target="_blank">DPI Victoria website