Cr Andrew Banfield reported to the August 21 Goulburn Mulwaree Council Meeting that the Goulburn Mulwaree Recreational Fishing Working Party had arranged for the release of 100 brood stock trout for Pejar Dam on August 15 through Department of Primary Industry (DPI).

“We got 100 brood stock fish rainbow trout and this is really something special because these are big fish – at least a few kilograms each,” he said. 

“It is a big win for us and the district and we got them at no charge. They have been at the hatchery and milked to get fingerlings and now they are released back into the wild. We managed to snare them.”

Cr Banfield said this had complimented other releases of fish in local dams. In Pejar Dam in 201, 4000 bass, 4500 brown trout and 10,000 rainbow trout fingerlings were released.

“Every year that dam is restocked and we will also be stocking Marsden Weir.”

Another member of the working party, Josh Lambert said there has been a mix of over 39,000 rainbow and brown released in the rivers around town by the DPI in the last 12 months and 4000 Australian Bass at Pejar Dam in the last 12 months.

A report from the Recreational Fishing Working Party to their August 8 meeting stated Josh Burns from the Goulburn Acclimatisation Society had attended and discussed local stocking locations and numbers.

“The group questioned the locations of stocking and whether there would be interest in modifying these locations for greater community benefit,” the report said. 

“It was requested that a discussion be held between the two groups about locations prior to the releases being made.

“It was also asked whether additional stocking could occur at Marsden Weir and Pejar Dam if there is additional stock.”

Mr Burns also said the Crookwell Acclimatisation Society are no longer continuing with bass stocking of Pejar Dam through the dollar for dollar funding program.

“The group felt it was important to continue this stocking and will divert any profits from the Pejar fishing competition into bass stocking,” the report said. 

“The group is also working on plan for disabled fishing locations.

“Preferred locations in Goulburn are on the walking track near the PCYC and near the walking bridge close to Albert Street. The group to meet on site to develop ideas for these sites.

“They discussed Pejar Dam opportunities and are looking to develop one option for the link between St Stephens Road and the current amenities area.

“We need to obtain further details on council land ownership for next meeting.”