Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on January 17, 2013, 06:16:09 PM
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Macquarie perch in Expedition Pass - Victorian DPI
A recent fish survey in Expedition Pass Reservoir, near Castlemaine, has confirmed that stocked Macquarie perch are surviving and growing alongside redfin and previously stocked golden perch.
Six Macquarie perch were caught, the biggest of which was 28cm. It is likely to have originated from the reservoir's first stocking in 2010.
The size of the Macquarie perch is comparable to that of fish of a similar age from Lake Dartmouth.
More than 9,000 Macquarie perch have been released into the reservoir to assist in the species' recovery and to develop a small recreational fishery for this endangered fish, which can only be taken from three waters in accordance with strict catch limits and a three month closed season.
Fisheries managers are encouraged by the survey results and hope to open a fishery for the species here in coming years.
The survey also captured five golden perch between 39 and 46cm, and over 30 redfin to 31cm.
Unlike the Macquarie perch in Expedition Pass Reservoir, these stocked golden perch may be taken now.