40,000 Golden Perch find new home

by DPI NSW on 16 Apr 2012 The release of over 40,000 Golden Perch to various locations stretching from Bethungra to Yass and Canberra today is good news for keen recreational anglers, Minister for Primary Industries and Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson said.

Ms. Hodgkinson said the program has been made possible with funds from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trust, which is supported by the recreational fishing licence fees.

'The release is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing program to stock NSW waterways with native fish,' Ms. Hodgkinson said.

'Golden Perch, or ‘Yellow Belly’ as they are more commonly known, are popular with anglers as good eating fish who are vigorous takers of bait and lures.

'The fingerlings have been bred at NSW Department of Primary Industries’ Narrandera Fisheries Centre.

'Recent heavy rains provided ideal conditions for the release of the fish, which would allow a timely boost to the dam’s native fish numbers.

'Almost a million native fish including Golden and Silver Perch, Trout Cod, Murray Cod and Macquarie Perch, have been harvested this fish stocking season at Narrandera Fisheries Centre to boost native fish populations across NSW.'

Stocking program included:

- 2000 Golden Perch to Bethungra Dam (near Junee);
- 2000 Golden Perch to Yass Railway Weir (delivered in town to the Yass Acclimatisation Society to release);
- 2000 Golden Perch to Yass Weir (delivered in town at approximately to the Yass Acclimatisation Society to release);
- 4000 Golden Perch to Captains Flat Dam near Canberra; and
- 30,000 Golden Perch to Googong Dam near Canberra.

Harvesting of native fish will continue to take place at Narrandera Fisheries Centre for another two weeks, when the last of the eight stocking ponds is due to be harvested.

DPI NSW website