MORE than 2 million fish have been stocked into Queensland dams over the past year.
Manager of Recreational Fisheries Development for Fisheries Queensland Tony Ham said the state’s Stock Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) dams were ready to be fished.
“Nearly $640,000 worth of fish have been stocked in SIPS dams around the state over the past year,” Ham said.
“This, coupled with the fact that most dams are full, means there will be more fish to catch.
“Fishing at a SIPS dam is a sustainable fishing option. Seventy-five per cent of funds from the sale of permits go to restocking the dams with native fish species.”
As of July 1 there was a slight increase in impoundment permit fees – the first increase in the price of permits since the beginning of the scheme. The new fees are: $7.20 for a weekly permit, $36.05 for a yearly permit and $32.40 for a discount yearly permit.
With many of the state’s 33 dams now at capacity some good times ahead are expected for impoundment fishers in Queensland. The following stockings have occurred:
- Somerset – Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch, saratoga, Mary River cod
- Leslie – Golden perch, silver perch, Murray cod
- Tinaroo – Barramundi, sooty grunter
- Lake Monduran – Barramundi, Australian bass
- Borumba – Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch, Mary River cod, saratoga
- Boondooma – Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch
- Wivenhoe – Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch, saratoga, Mary River cod
- Glen Lyon – Golden perch, silver perch, Murray cod
- North Pine Dam – Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch, saratoga, Mary River cod
- Moogerah – Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch, Mary River cod
For a full list of SIPS dam locations, or to purchase a permit, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.
