The recent long spell of rain across parts of Queensland has triggered a hot golden perch bite in many impoundments in the state.
Stocked Impoundment coordinator Jenny Keys said there was no better time to buy a stocked impoundment permit and hit the dams.
“I have been receiving great reports from fishers at Glenlyon dam, who are catching lots of good sized golden perch,” she said.
“Golden perch are excellent eating, with clean white flesh. The fish, known to many of us as yellowbelly, are currently easy to catch as they are hanging around the edge of the dam to feed.
“As the water levels rise, the fish move up into the grass and weeds around the fringes of the dam to gorge on the breeding shrimp that live in the undergrowth.
“Your best chance of targeting golden perch is by fishing in about 12-13 ft of water in the flooded grass.
“It’s not just golden perch loving the wet weather; other species such as Murray cod are also in abundance. Barramundi are just about to take off too, as are most of the freshwater species as the water temperature is warming up and the fish are becoming active.”
The following Queensland impoundments stock golden perch:
Cooby Dam
Coolmunda Dam
Connolly Dam
Glenlyon Dam
Leslie Dam
Storm King Dam
Borumba Dam
Cressbrook Dam
Lake Dyer
Lake McDonald
Maroon Dam
Moogerah Dam
Somerset Dam
Wivenhoe Dam
Burnett Region
Bjelke-Petersen Dam
Boondooma Dam
Cania Dam
Lenthalls Dam
Fitzroy Region
Callide Dam
A permit is required to fish in any of these dams at a cost of $7 for a week or an annual permit can be bought for $35. Permits can be bought online at www.smartservice.qld.gov.au or via many agents around the state – a full list of agents is available online at www.deedi.qld.gov.au – click on Fisheries.
