Recreational fishers will now be able to target Murray Cod all year round in Blowering Dam.
Research on the success of stocked fish in Blowering Dam over the past 3 years has found that around 90% or more of the Murray Cod population in the dam are from a stocked fish source. Research shows that the level of natural breeding of cod in the dam is very low and that the fishery is primarily maintained by stocking.
As a result, the annual spawning closure will be lifted from Blowering Dam, in a similar fashion to what has already occurred in Copeton dam. This means that, just like Copeton Dam, fishing for Murray Cod will be permitted at Blowering dam all year round, subject to fish bag and size limits, which are 2 fish per person between 55cm and 75cm.
This is a boon for the people of Tumut and surrounds as it will provide a boost to fishing tourism and local businesses as well as providing many social and community benefits.
The Murray Cod fishery at Blowering dam is maintained by a substantial fish stocking program part funded by anglers through their licence fees. Over the past 5 years, 181,261 Murray Cod have been released into the dam to provide quality recreational fishing opportunities.
