- Published:
- Friday 5 February 2016
Nearly a third of the 30 Victorian waters being stocked with Murray cod stockings this summer will receive more fingerlings than last year as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to increase fish stocking to five million.
The Target One Million plan for recreational fishing aims to grow Victorian participation to one million anglers by 2020 – boosting fish stocking is one key driver towards delivering that goal.
Murray cod are an iconic freshwater fish, highly prized by recreational anglers and revered by many indigenous communities.
More than half a million Murray cod have now been stocked this summer with more to come throughout February.
The biggest increase to Murray cod stocking has occurred at Lake Eildon where 80,000 fingerlings have been released, up from 46,193 last season. Lake Eildon has a growing reputation as a Murray cod fishery following substantial stockings in recent years funded by recreational fishing licence fees.
Further north, Lake Hume including the Mitta Mitta River upstream, has received 100,000 Murray cod fingerlings (up from 90,000 last year), Lake Nillahcootie 30,000 fingerlings (up from 20,000) and Kangaroo Lake 46,500 fingerlings (up from 20,000).
These cod fingerlings will take four to five years to reach the minimum size of 55cm, although fingerling survival depends on waterway productivity and the abundance of natural predators including birds and other fish.
Rivers are not missing out on the increased stockings either with the Campaspe River from Axedale to Rochester receiving 40,000 (up from 20,000) and the Loddon River, between Fernihurst Weir to below Laanecoorie, receiving 50,000 (up from 35,000).
Other waters scheduled for increased cod stocking this summer include Benalla Lake for 10,000 (up from 5,000 last year), the Broken River for 30,000 (up from 20,000) and Lake Charm near Kerang for 15,000 (up from 12,360).
Learn more about fish stocking, which is funded by recreational fishing licence fees and Target One Million, at www.vic.gov.au/fishstocking(opens in a new window)
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“We are investing in recreational fishing to encourage Victorians to spend more quality time outdoors together enjoying this great pastime.”
“By improving fishing opportunities we will increase the number of anglers to one million, creating jobs, supporting local businesses and strengthening our rural and regional communities.”