TROUT born and bred in the upper reaches of the Serpentine River at Ebor are playing their part in the NSW Government’s fish restocking season of streams and dams.
The NSW Government’s owned and operated Dutton Trout Hatchery produces more than two million fingerlings each year which are released by volunteers into the region’s rivers, streams and dams to ensure visitors and locals alike have a steady supply for recreational fishing.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said an added bonus to the launch of this year’s restocking was that the Dutton Hatchery had been asked to contribute stocks of adult rainbow trout to Pejar Dam north of Goulburn.
“The trout they’ll supply for the Pejar Dam and dams in this district are past their use-by date for breeding. They can weigh up to 3.5kg so they do provide fisherman with some very exciting catches,” he said.
“The hatchery releases up to 500 adult rainbow trout a year and provide the Dumaresq Dam with up to 100 each year for their fishing tournaments.”
The annual fish stocking programs are funded in part by money raised by the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee, which is placed in the NSW Recreational Fishing Freshwater and Saltwater Trusts.
Dutton Trout Hatchery Farm Manager Peter Selby said the hatchery was preparing to release about two million fingerlings (100mm) into waterways.
“The hatchery provides about one and half million rainbow trout and half a million brown trout fingerlings and two million fry (20-30mm) a year and volunteers help with their release,” Mr Selby said.
“There are about 13 fishing clubs in the New England area so there is always strong demand for the stock.
“The farm is also a popular destination for tourists; we’ve had about 4,500 visitors this year.
“The hatchery is open to the public daily (with the exception of Good Friday and Christmas Day) and we have an education officer who teaches kids how to fish. That program is run about three or four times a year, they have a great time.”
Just 75km east of Armidale, the hatchery covers an area of 12 hectares and has a consistent supply of clean, freshwater from the Serpentine River.
The temperature varies from two degrees Celsius in winter to 30 degrees in summer and has a back-up supply in a storage dam in case the summer becomes too dry.
