Freshwater fish stocking
Fish stocking is managed under the Policy for fish stocking in Queensland (PDF, 2.7MB). It provides detailed requirements for all stocking activities across the state to ensure they present a low risk to Queensland’s aquatic resources and optimise benefits to the community in accordance with best practice.
Freshwater fish stocking in Queensland is the process of releasing young fish (fingerlings) into dams, weirs and rivers to enhance and maintain fisheries and help threatened freshwater fish species recover.
Fish are stocked in Queensland public waters by approximately 70 community-based fish stocking groups that have stocking permits. The Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) provides funding for stocking groups at more than 60 impoundments in Queensland. Fish stocking groups also raise funds in the community to stock non-SIPS dams, weirs and rivers.
Impounded waters such as dams need to be continually restocked because, in most circumstances, stocked species will not reproduce there. Most of the popular dam fisheries in Queensland are stocked each year with fingerlings to ensure the fishery remains successful into the future. Fish stocking records are released annually for your information.
Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Workshop 2022
The Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Workshop was held on 15–16 October 2022 in partnership with the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland Inc. and Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association Inc., and supported by the Mackay Regional Council. The workshop proceedings and action plan will inform the management of freshwater fisheries for the next 2 years. The next workshop is expected to be held in 2024.
Stocking your own dam
If you are planning on introducing fingerlings into your dam you must only introduce a species that already occurs naturally within the region. The reasons behind this are:
- a permit is not required to stock private waters with species local to your region
- if local fish escape during a flood there will be few impacts on other local species and their habitat
- local fish can survive local conditions
- local fish are available through hatcheries.
When choosing species to introduce it is best to check which drainage division your region is classified under. Identifying your drainage division will inform you which species are appropriate for your waters. Some fish species can also be introduced to provide mosquito control in private dams.
Local fish are available from:
- licensed fish hatcheries
- local councils (some local councils breed and supply native fish)
- the wild (if collecting local fish from the wild ensure you comply with possession limits and equipment standards).
If you’re not sure which requirements apply to your dam, call 13 25 23.
Hatcheries for stocking native fish
Hatchery name | Species available |
|---|---|
Sunshine Coast Crayfish Producers |
|
Bundy Barra |
|
Ausyfish Pty Ltd |
|
Wayne Spencer |
|
Australian Native Fish Enterprises |
|
Granite Belt Fish Hatchery |
|
Hanwood Fish Hatchery 323 Redgate Road Mobile: 0409 594 551 Email: hanwood.fishhatchery@bigpond.com hanwoodfishhatchery.com.au |
|
Aquaculture Gladstone 865 Awoonga Dam Road |
|
Sweetwater Australia Pty Ltd 517 North Bucca Road |
|
Sunland FW Fish Hatchery |
|
Betta Barra Tropical Fish Hatchery |
|
Leigh Oakley |
|
Barramundi Blue Aquaculture |
|
Redgate Fish Farm |
|
South East Queensland Fish Pty Ltd |
|
Suncoast Native Fish |
|
Giru Barramundi & Crayfish |
|
Coral Coast Mariculture |
|
Les Wilson Barramundi Discovery Centre |
|
Redclaw Aquatica |
|
Russell Manning |
|
Louise Joyce |
|
Sleepy Haven Hatchery |
|
Jungle Creek Aquaculture |
|
Coral Coast Barramundi |
|
GFB Fisheries |
|
Abington Aquaculture |
|
Waterloo Fish Hatchery |
|
Bass, Barra and Barcoo |
|
Greenacres Aquaculture |
|