Fish stocking
Fish stocking involves producing fish fry or fingerlings and releasing them into NSW waters. Fish stocking can provide many benefits such as creating new fisheries or augmenting existing ones. Fish stocking recognised for its importance to the community in terms of quality recreational fishing, conservation outcomes, employment and subsequent economic benefits that have grown in response to the activity over many years.
The activity of fish stocking is undertaken in water storage impoundments, lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and embayment’s throughout the State. Fish stocking supports some of our most important fisheries including the Australian Bass fishery in Glenbawn dam, Murray Cod and Golden Perch fisheries in impoundments such as Copeton, Pindari, Burrinjuck and Blowering dams, our trout fisheries in the Snowy Mountains, Southern Highlands and Central and New England tablelands and our valuable coastal flathead and mulloway fisheries.
Releasing fish into public waters
All fish releases into public waters such as rivers, creeks and impoundments requires a fish stocking permit. Find out more about releasing fish into public waters.
Map of fish stocking records
Click on individual site markers for recent stocking information.
Impoundments Fish Stocking Plan
Freshwater fish stocking in lakes and impoundments to enhance fish populations.
Community Native Fish Stocking grants program
The Community native fish stocking grants program provides two dollars in funds for every one dollar in funds offered by the community to stock native fish (Murray Cod, Golden Perch, Australian Bass) into public waters to enhance recreational fishing opportunities. Find out more about the Community Native Fish Stocking grants program.
Fish hatcheries
Gaden Trout Hatchery, on the Thredbo River, 10 km north-west of Jindabyne, is one of Australia’s main centres for breeding and rearing cold water sport fish. Four species, rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and Atlantic salmon are produced by DPI and stocked into the dams and river systems of our trout fisheries in the snowy mountains, southern highlands, the central tablelands and New England areas. Currently operations are being funded by the Recreational Fishing Trusts. This has enabled the department’s fish stocking program to continue to provide many benefits to the local environment and community.
Visiting the hatchery
Visitors can view and sometimes partake in feeding of the big fish that come to the surface in some of the hatchery’s brood stock ponds, watch a 10 minute introduction video that outlines the hatchery’s purpose and operations, and go for a walk around the grounds with one of the experienced hatchery staff. Coin operated barbeques and picnic shelters are available. Fishing is not permitted at the hatchery.
| Open times | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Gaden Trout Hatchery visitor centre is temporarily closed until further notice | Gaden Trout Hatchery 224 Gaden Road Jindabyne, NSW 2627 Phone: 02 6451 3400 Latitude: -36.376791 Longitude: 148.577042 |
Entry cost
| Admission fees | Cost per person (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Adult | $10.00 |
| Child (ages 4 - 14 years) | $7.00 |
| Concession (Seniors/Pension card to be shown) | $7.00 |
| Family (Based on 2 adults and 2 children) | $28.00 |
| Self guiding (group tour rates available for 20 people or more) Not available every day | $5.00 |
Dutton Trout Hatchery is located on the Serpentine River, just 75km east of Armidale and 125km west of Coffs Harbour.
It is one of two NSW Government facilities for breeding and rearing premier cold water sport fish. Dutton produces Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout. The fish are bred from hatchery brood stock and grown out to fry, when they are released into selected cold water public rivers and lakes.
Visiting the hatchery
Dutton Trout Hatchery visitor centre is temporarily closed until further notice
Contact details
Point Lookout Road
Ebor NSW 2453
Phone: 6775 9139
The aquaculture facilities at the Port Stephens Fisheries Centre produce Australian Bass as part of the fish stocking program.
Breeding programs have been conducted at the Narrandera Fisheries Centre since the 1960s. Native stock is bred and released to enhance recreational fishing in NSW and for conservation purposes.
The Grafton Fisheries Centre breeds and grows populations of native freshwater fish species for conservation and harvest restocking purposes.
Fish hatcheries run by the department are found across the state, supplying fish for various stocking programs. Find water monitoring data for Gaden Trout Hatchery and L.P. Dutton Trout Hatchery.
Environmental Impact Statements and Fishery Management Strategies
Fish stocking must be conducted responsibly to conserve and protect our unique biodiversity. All fish stocking in NSW is conducted in accord with fishery management strategies (FMS’s) and associated Environmental Impact Statements, prepared in line with the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. This ensures that fish stocking is conducted with appropriate environmental controls and generates quality recreational fishing outcomes for the people of NSW. For more information on fish stocking email fish.stocking@dpird.nsw.gov.au.
Freshwater fish stocking environmental impact statement (Volume 1)
Freshwater fish stocking environmental impact statement (Volume 2)
Freshwater fish stocking environmental impact statement (Volume 3)
Marine fish stocking environmental impact statement (Volume 1)
Marine fish stocking environmental impact statement (Volume 2)
Marine fish stocking environmental impact statement (Volume 3)
