More than 27,000 Golden Perch fingerlings were recently released into Lake Tuggeranong, Isabella and Upper Stranger ponds to boost native fish numbers in Canberra’s urban waterways.
“This adds to more than 40,000 native Murray Cod that were successfully released into ACT waterways in December, bringing the total number of fish stocked this season to over 67,000. Today’s release of fingerlings will provide local anglers an opportunity to continue to sustainably fish and enjoy Canberra’s much-loved urban lakes.” ACT Minister for Planning and Land Management Mick Gentleman commented.

The Minister explained that this follows on from our additional $1,100,000 for Infrastructure and capital investments at Lake Tuggeranong. Funding was brought forward to improve the lake, including constructing a major pollutant trap that will help clean inflows.
“I’m committed to cleaning up the lake and making it a great destination for our community to relax, fish, row and exercise. The ACT Government’s annual fish stocking program is crucial to ensuring our lakes and ponds continue to have healthy populations of native fish.” Minister Gentleman commented “Fish stocked into our urban lakes and ponds also help take pressure off our fragile natural river populations. It also helps maintain a more natural ecosystem in our lakes and ponds by including native fish that usually need flowing water to reproduce.”
The ACT Government’s fish stocking program has been helping to boost native fish numbers in the ACT since 1964, when Lake Burley Griffin was established. Stocking is regularly conducted alongside the National Capital Authority and Canberra Fisherman’s Club.