Shades Fishing News

Organisers of this weekend’s Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic in Mount Isa are expecting up to 800 anglers from across western Queensland to take part.

There is a total prize pool, across 32 categories, of $50,000, with the top prize of $25,000 going to the elusive tagged barramundi.

President of the Mount Isa Fish Stocking Association, George Fortune, believes the event has grown over the last four years.

He says new prizes have been introduced for the less skilled anglers.

“There’s those major prizes if you like to call them that, and there’s also the minor prizes that are the mystery weight prizes,” he said.

“We’ve deliberately had more mystery weight prizes than secret weight prizes so that any person who isn’t a very good fishermen if they weigh in a single fish that’s a legal size they’re a chance of winning a prize.”

Source: ABC

South Australia’s snapper fishery will be closed again during November. The seasonal closure on the taking of snapper begins at 12 noon on the 1st of November 1st 2007. It is unlawful to take snapper from any South Australian waters from 12 noon on November 1st until 12 noon on the 30th of November.

Any snapper accidentally caught during the closure must be returned to the water immediately.

Western Australia Fisheries Minister Jon Ford has urged recreational fishers in the mid-west to attend a public briefing in Geraldton this evening.

Mr Ford says the meeting will provide the public with an opportunity to have its say about how offshore recreational fishing should be managed in the future.

He says the meetings will advise people on how to make informed submissions to the recreational fishing discussion paper.

Mr Ford says it is vital for the community to get involved in shaping the future of recreational fishing by addressing the issues which affect them.

“The major concern will be about the interim measures and there seems to be some concern in Geraldton in particular, about the total ban on abrolhos baldchin groper,” he said.

“People should understand that is exactly that, an interim measure for a fairly short period of time.”

Department of Fisheries spokesman Ian Curnow says the meeting will help equip recreational fishers to contribute to the development of a management plan.

“[It is] an education-type process to let people hear first hand about what the science is saying about the sustainability of key stocks, such as dhufish and pink snapper,” he said.

“[It will] also improve their understanding about what the key issues are regarding the management of recreational fisheries and seeking input into developing a new recreational management package that can better manage that sector.”

Source: ABC News

Restricting flows from a 98% full Lake Macdonald has led to the death of hundreds of large bass below the spillway.

Local fishing enthusiast Gary James, who lives near the lake, has watched the fish kills with despair and growing anger as his call for a two-day release of water to restore oxygen levels in Six Mile Creek went unanswered by Noosa Council.

Mr James, who belongs to the Lake Macdonald Fishing Club, said about 150 bass died on October 14.

Read More here 

FISHERIES officers boarded the Spirit of Tasmania in Melbourne today to arrest a man over the trafficking of a commercial quantity of abalone worth up to $20,000.

Officers from Fisheries Victoria boarded the Spirit of Tasmania shortly after it docked at Station Pier at 7am and arrested a 37-year-old Sydney man.

Read more

The Renmark to the Border Local Action Planning group is hoping to build a $90,000 fishing jetty at the Bert Dix Park, near Paringa.

Marty Miles from the group says the jetty will be designed to give access to people in wheelchairs, walking frames and other mobility aids.

A development application has been lodged with the Renmark Paringa Council and Ms Miles says she hopes the community will support the project.

“There aren’t any others in the area,” he said.

“Where we’ve proposed to put is actually quite a visible area along the highway, so not only locals can use it but people who are travelling through the area can use that facility as well.”

Source: ABC

” Brave fishermen set a new world first when they went hunting for sharks using simple rods and paddling in kayaks.”

Some people are just nuts … a Murray Cod has dragged me around a bit in my kayak, let alone a shark!

Read more here

This Years Classic will be held on the 10th & 11th of November 2007 with over $15,000 in prizes. This is a catch and release event for native species. Major Prize is a Boat Motor and trailer package and every entrant has a chance to win.

http://www.lakehumeclassic.com.au

Adults: $40.00

Juniors: $20.00

Teams: $20.00 extra for a team of 4

Registration:

Friday 9th November ,4.30pm to 8.30pm at the David Street foyer of the SS&A Club and at the Lake Hume Resort boat ramp.Saturday from 5.00am to 10.00am at the Lake Hume Resort Boat ramp only

Fishing Times:

Saturday 10th of November,2007: 6.00am to 6.00pm

Sunday 11th of November,2007: 6.00am to 11.00am

“A series of ‘River Revival - Fish-Friendly Farms’ information sessions are being held later this month at Booligal, Hillston, Euabalong and Lake Cargelligo by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA).

Landholders and community groups on the Lachlan River are invited to the sessions in Booligal on October 23, Hillston on October 24, Euabalong on October 24 and Lake Cargelligo on October 25″

You can read the full article on the NSW DPI Website here

Scientists believe they have discovered a number of environmental conditions affecting Murray cod and golden perch populations in the Nagambie Lakes, north of Melbourne.

A 12-month study, funded by Recreational Fishing Licence revenue, found fluctuating temperatures and food shortages can prevent Murray cod and golden perch establishing self-sustaining communities.

During the study researchers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment monitored the activity of 32 Murray cod (from a hatchery) and 15 golden perch that were released into the lake and fitted with radio transmitters.

DSE Research Scientist, Justin O’Mahoney said, “Temperatures decreased by nine degrees during spring and summer and these unseasonable temperature fluctuations may have reduced the ability of native fish to reproduce.

“Warm water native fish such as Murray cod and golden perch usually breed when temperatures average 20 degrees and above.

“During the study, temperatures warmer than 20 degrees were recorded during summer in
backwater habitats. Colder temperatures persisted in the deeper water channel habitats where the released fish spent most of their time under the cover of large woody debris.

“Factors such as turbulence, noise and water movement through these irrigation outlets appeared to greatly affect the movement of golden perch, and many of them were reluctant to stay in the lake and often approached the gates to exit into other waters.”

The study also found water in the backwaters remained stagnant and received very little flow and this lack of fresh water may have been a contributing factor in making the habitat unfavourable.

The golden perch sourced from the lower Goulburn River, adapted much better to the lake
environment.

Golden perch were highly mobile throughout the course of the study, with most venturing upstream and downstream. Only one fish remained in the location where it was released.

Many fish swam as far as 3 km to explore downstream gates and several left the lake system escaping through control gates on irrigation channels. Some of these fish have been found active several kilometres downstream.

 source:  www.fishvictoria.com