Monaro Acclimatisation Society

01/06/2026

The Trout Growout facility at Gaden Hatchery, funded by Snowy Hydro 2.0, is taking shape. 👌

19/05/2026

We recently learnt that NSW Fisheries have published a draft impoundments fish stocking "plan" for the coming year and are seeking comments by 22 May - short timeframe here folks. Unlike plans we've seen in the past, no numbers are ascribed to each impoundment, but readers may like to review the species going into their favourite waterway and perhaps make comments or suggestions for new stocking locations.
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/stocking/enhanced-fish-production/freshwater-fish-stocking-plan
🎣🤔
Note that the Lake Wallace referred to here is Wallerawang, not Nimmitabel 😉
MAS has noted that Tiger Trout have not been included. We are seeking some clarity of purpose in relation to Tiger Trout - there is a case to consider more reasons/locations to stock these fish than just to cope with redfin

There are many freshwater impoundments and reservoirs suitable for freshwater fish stocking throughout NSW. Over the last four decades many excellent recreational fisheries have been established. To ensure publicly funded fish stocking programs in NSW continue to benefit the community, the Departmen...

07/05/2026

With the recent changes to the MAS membership structure, we are starting to process applications ordinary membership (individual or family). See
http://www.monarofishsociety.org/join.html
The website is currently being revamped and you can expect a simpler, on-line application form in due course. 😀

MAS continues to encourage the traditional route of joining one of our 19 regional branches and participating in stocking activities.

06/05/2026

We are getting closer to stream trout closure and those anglers fishing in spawning streams (eg Eucumbene and Thredbo) need to be aware rules change on 1 May. Legal length goes up to 50cm. Daily limit is only one fish and possession at two.
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/fishing-rules-and-regs/freshwater-bag-and-size-limits
👌

Possession Limit: The possession limit is the maximum number of fish per person if you have been fishing for more than one day, which is equal to twice the daily bag limit, unless otherwise stated in the table. The possession limit also applies to the transport and storage of fish but does not apply...

04/05/2026

The Queanbeyan Branch (QAC) conducted their annual autumn stocking of brown fingerlings. The new hatchery manager Paul and his team at Gaden have done a great job with this year's browns and they looked in good form. 👍
They will be an important addition to fish stocks in our area as the poor run of rainbows in the Thredbo last year meant Gaden could not provide rainbows for stocking in our streams this season. MAS has erected signs in other areas encouraging catch and release responding to stocking bans. While bans are not in place in our area of responsibility, with the absence of rainbow stocking this year we'd encourage catch and release here to help maintain the fishery. 🤞
We were joined in our stocking activity with representatives from Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. The council has major projects improving bridges in the area which, while welcome, may have an unintended consequence. One low level bridge scheduled for demolition acts as a barrier to carp moving upstream into a pristine trout fishery. QAC are seeking QPRC to retain the barrier and the stocking presented an opportunity to show the council what we do and to view the nature of the barrier.

30/04/2026

Kybeyan/kydra branch took to the field for the annual trout stocking yesterday along with the new hatchery manager paul.
Paul and his team at Gaden have done an exceptional job with this years fingerlings giving them the best start at life in the wild.
We’d like to thank all involved as it was a big day across 4 rivers over many sites.
Hopefully in the next few years these guys appear in your net a lot bigger!

Keep in mind that some of the regions streams still hold stocking bans and is a worthy mention to consider good handling and catch and release when out fishing the Monaro.

01/04/2026

Jim Harnwell, DPI Fisheries lead, for stocking, has been interviewed on ABC Radio in relation to the Snowy 2.0 growout facility and other trout matters. 👍

20/03/2026

Water NSW has released a red alert for bluegreen algae in the Murrumbidgee Tantangara to the ACT border.
https://waterinsights.waternsw.com.au/api/water-source/v2/updates/5825/attachment
Image is Bidgee at Cooma 19 Mar (thanks Peter)

17/03/2026

NSW Council of Freshwater Anglers is reporting blue-green algae in the Murrumbidgee between Tantangara and Cooma
https://www.facebook.com/share/18Y5kaZsfC/ 😞

Warnings have been issued since 14 March for blue-green algae outbreaks on the Murrumbidgee River between Cooma and Tantangara.

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) can affect fish and cause large-scale fish kills. The first stage is when the algae produce toxins that damage fish internal organs and gills, and can cause neurological damage. Then there is a second stage problem when fish start dying from oxygen deprivation as the algae decompose, depleting oxygen in the water, and coating fish gills with scum from the decomposing material.

Fish caught during a blue-green algae outbreak should not be eaten. Anglers who contact the algae can experience rashes, respiratory and gastrointestinal illness. Boiling water does not remove toxins; it may actually release more toxins into the water.

Other native wildlife are similarly affected…birds, yabbies, rakali, platypus, etc. And of course it can be fatal for domestic animals such as sheep, cattle, dogs.

The photo shows the river at Cooma on 17 March, one of the worst visible outbreaks in recent years.

02/03/2026

Important press release from DPIRD:
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/media-centre/releases/2026/ministerial/minns-government-takes-major-step-forward-for-recreational-fishing-in-nsw #:~:text=The%20Minns%20Labor%20Government%20has,independent%20recreational%20fishing%20peak%20body

Minister Moriarty has released the long awaited draft Enhancing Recreational Fishing in NSW Action Plan 2026-2031 for consultation. MAS has been anxiously waiting for this action plan as the critical Trout Action Plan has been held pending the overall recreational fishing plan.
Public consultation on the draft action plan is now open and will close on 24 April 2026
Have your comments here - not limited to NSW residents it appears
https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/rec-fishing-ap

Also, there is a call for expressions of interest by people to join the recreational fishers' peak body
🎣🗻
By 30 March 2026, please.

For more information, visit https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/fishing/recreational/resources/proposed-recreational-fishing-peak-body

The Minns Labor Government has today announced a significant milestone in recreational fishing by releasing the draft Enhancing Recreational Fishing in NSW Action Plan 2026-2031 for consultation and opening Expressions of Interest for the board of a new independent recreational fishing peak body.