The Atkinsons Lagoon Fish Stocking Assn (ALFA) has recently affilliated with the Somerset & Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Assn. Inc (SWFSA).

ALFA will now be known as the Atkinsons Lagoon Sub-Committee of SWFSA.

Quintrex Australia are the Major Sponsor of the Atkinsons Lagoon Sub-Committee of SWFSA.

Concept
The concept for the fish stocking program at Atkinsons Lagoon was the brain child of two local anlgers, Neil Schultz & Garry Fitzgerald. Their vision was to create a unique fishery to cater particularly for sports anglers. With this in mind, public meetings were held in mid-2000 and a committee was formed. Interested persons, local business owners, Council representative and local residents have become involved in the planning and implementation of the management plan for fish stocking at Atkinsons Lagoon.

Plan
With almost every other impoundment in South East Queensland having been stocked with Australian Bass, Yellow Belly, Silver Perch and a few Mary River Cod and Saratoga, it was decided not to stock the species that every other impoundment has abundant numbers of, namely Bass, Yellow Belly & Silver Perch. it was further decided that to create a viable sport fishery in a short period of time large numbers of Saratoga were needed to establish a breeding population. Once established, these fish should regularly breed and maintain viable numbers. The stocking group with the generous support of Quintrex Boats, plan to spend $5000/year on purchasing Saratoga, then concentrate on other species. None of this would be possible without the support & sponsorship of Quintrex.

Future
Qld Fisheries Service and commercial fish hatcheries are currently trialling the artificial breeding of several "New Species" of fish that will survive in freshwater impoundments eg Big Eye Trevally and Jungle Perch. ALFA are keenly waiting for these "new species" to become available, hopefully before the 5 year Saratoga Project is completed. ALFA are also keenly awaiting other species such as Australian Tarpon (Ox Eye Herring), mullet and Mangrove Jack. With these species in Atkinsons Lagoon the potential to create the Mecca of freshwater sports fishing in South East Queensland is very real.

Founding Members:
Neil Schultz
Garry Fitzgerald
Evelyn Tumney
Noel Tumney
Randall Gilbert
Greame Lehmann
Roxbee Coultas
Steve Timperley

Other Members:
Glyn Schultz
Les Flood

The Atkinsons Lagoon Sub-Committee of SWFSA meet on the first Tuesday of each month. If anyone is interested in becoming a member of SWFSA, please feel free to contact us. Membership is currently free. Any member of the community is welcome to attend. Fishing clubs are encouraged to send a delegate/representative along.

Fish released to date
January 2001 saw the first injection of Saratoga into Atkinsons Lagoon as part of the Quintrex Sportsfish Stocking Project. 150 healthy fish were liberated on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The rain however didn't dampen the enthusiasm of ALFA members, as they showed up in force to assist with the first fish release. Since then, some monitoring by ALFA has seen the young Saratoga appear quite helathy and spread out around the lake.
Many thanks to the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA) for the loan of their fish transportation trailer.

Please come and stay at Atkinson's Dam Waterfront Caravan Park. You hosts Evelyn & Noel Tumney will make you more than welcome. Available are over night vans & cabins, powered sites, Kiosk & pets are welcomed. Telephone (07) 54264151.

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All Correspondence to:

Atkinsons Lagoon Sub-Committee
SWFSA Inc
PO Box 541
Ipswich. Qld. 4305