Tag: Freshwater fishing

Recfishwest pushing to boost freshwater fishing with floating jetty at Big Brook Dam

An innovative idea for a new fishing platform at Pemberton’s Big Brook Dam is being floated by Recfishwest and the local fishing community – quite literally!  

The iconic dam provides year-round trout fishing with a backdrop of the scenic southern Karri forest and is considered one of the premier dams for freshwater fishing in WA.  

The ongoing stocking of trophy-sized trout ensures that the fishing quality remains high here, however access to the water is limited due to steep banks and shoreline vegetation. 

Imagine then, standing on a custom-built floating fishing jetty some way from shore that provides access to deep water for fishers of all abilities. This is Recfishwest’s vision for Big Brook Dam. 

As part of Recfishwest’s election manifesto presented to all political parties contesting this March’s State Election – we want to improve fishing infrastructure and accessibility everywhere – including our picture postcard freshwater ways.  

A floating jetty is a much less costly alternative to a concrete or wooden jetty that requires the sinking of solid foundations. 

Another plus is this type of structure is easily removable for repairs if required, but a real bonus is it would also be accessible to fishers in wheelchairs, who currently have no access to fish for trout in the dam.

A floating platform like the one pictured above is a cheaper, yet just as capable land-based fishing alternative and would provide a great fishing opportunities for thousands of West Aussie freshwater fishers, including those with mobility issues.

Recfishwest operations Lead Matt Gillett said local freshwater fishing clubs and community members love the idea of the floating jetty opening up more accessible fishing in a location with current limited shore-based water access. 

“It’s really important we make the most out of fisheries like this one by exploring innovative ways to increase fishing access to them,” said Matt. 

“Jetties like this one we are proposing represent a great investment given the amount of social, wellbeing and tourism benefits they provide. That’s why we’re asking all political parties ahead of the State election to commit to building a new jetty every year across the State if elected.”  

Love the vision of a 70m floating jetty extending out from the beach into trout-rich waters at Big Brook Dam? So do we!

Local South-West freshwater angler Simon Holland from the Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club (SFFAC) said freshwater fishers of all abilities would greatly benefit from the proposed jetty. 

“We and the local community are all thrilled with this idea – a floating jetty would provide high quality and easy access for anglers of all skill levels hoping to catch trophy trout from Big Brook,” said Simon. 

“Accessibility is key and this plan ticks all the boxes with a future venue for Fishability created, while promoting our fantastic Southern Forests fishery and increasing freshwater angling participation.”  

More than $20 million is injected into regional economies every year from fishers chasing freshwater species in our South-West and cheaper infrastructure initiatives like this would no doubt see that investment eventually regained into our communities through tourism and localised expenditure.   

It would also support the State Government’s historical and ongoing popular trout stocking investment located at Pemberton – the spiritual home of trout stocking in Western Australia for more than 50 years.  

Recfishwest is currently seeking state Government support for this initiative.  

Does this idea float your boat? Help support this plan and join the Cast of Thousands by becoming a Recfishwest member here.  

Recfishwest’s marron ‘whisperer’ gives top tips for marroning and calls for more stocking of South-West icon

The marron season starting tomorrow (8th Jan – 5th Feb) is set to snare the interest of thousands of mums, dads and kids, who will eagerly grab their gear and venture to our picturesque freshwater dams and rivers to try and grab a delicious feed.

Recfishwest crustacean ‘tragic’ – and Operations Lead Matt ‘marron whisperer’ Gillett, says marroning is one of the great South-West fishing experiences and is relatively easy for mums, dads and kids to do.

“In addition to a marron licence, all you need is to fashion a snare out of some plastic-coated wire and attach to a five-to-six-foot pole – a fishing rod will work – some chook pellets for bait, a head torch to spot the marron and you’re good to go,” said Matt.

“It’s such good fun and so popular in the South-West. That’s why we’d really like to see commitments to invest in the future of this iconic fishery from all political parties that will support and enhance fishing experiences through ongoing stocking programs.”

Whether you decide to snare marron like Recfishwest’s Tim Grose (left) or drop nets for these delicious critters, marron fishing is great fun for the entire family and very easy to do!

Matt’s marron snaring tips 

  1. Pick a night with less wind to help spot the marron feeding on the chook pellets easier.
  2. Marroning on a waning moon or new moon is better.
  3. Pick the highest quality head torch you can.
  4. Don’t put the chook pellets out too early otherwise the ducks might nab them! Don’t put them out too far out either…the marron will come close to the bank for a feed.
  5. Look for a stretch of bank where logs and rocks are submerged in the water – it’s the kind of habitat the marron like.

For even more marron fishing tips, click here!

Endemic to the South-West, marron are a highly sought after and iconic catch. From excitedly patrolling banks in the evenings with a torch, to the contagious laughter heard capturing these freshwater critters in a snare – marron fishing is highly infectious and is a cherished West Aussie family summer fishing activity.

With marron now under more environmental pressure than ever before from reduced rainfall and stream flows, Recfishwest is asking the State Government to invest in securing the future of marron to the benefit of the WA community and our regional economies.

A well-coordinated marron stocking program is crucial in supporting and enhancing the fishery.

South-West dams such as Harvey, Glen Mervyn, Waroona and Logue Brook all play an increasingly important role in supporting good marron catches. It’s crucial that we investigate different opportunities to improve these waterways and enhance the stocking program amid increased pressures on marron populations.

Recfishwest wants to ensure fishers can continue to catch marron in our South-West for many, many more years to come and we are dedicated to achieving our vision of expanding the current month-long season towards year-round marron fishing.

Making fishing better in the year past and the year ahead for the Cast of Thousands

We recently held our 2024 Annual General Meeting and had time to reflect on what Recfishwest and the fishing community achieved in FY 2023/2024 – and on the challenges we face ahead to protect our fishing and make it better in the year ahead.  

Five top wins for fishing in 2023/2024  

Writing in his CEO’s Report for Recfishwest’s 2023/2024 Annual Report (read the full report here), Dr Andrew Rowland commented, “It’s been another huge and intensive year for Recfishwest as we’ve worked hard to ensure fishing in WA continues to be accessible, sustainable and enjoyable for the 750,000+ strong fishing community.  

“Thanks to the passionate support of our members and the broader fishing community, we’ve not only accomplished some great wins this year but have prepared ourselves and set our sights on future challenges that we will tackle together.  

“From a better outcome for fishers with the final South Coast Marine Parks plans, the long-awaited reopening of Cockburn Sound for crabbing and vehicle access being restored to South Mole – we have had a significant year of wins and progress, but there is still plenty of work to be done.”  

Join the Cast of Thousands as a Recfishwest member to help make fishing even better in 2025 and to meet the challenges ahead for the way of life we love.   

The reopening of crabbing in Cockburn Sound (top left), a better outcome for South Coast Marine Parks (top right), west coast demersal reallocation (bottom left) and vehicle access to South Mole being restored (bottom right) – just some of our wins this year!

Some key challenges ahead in 2025 

New and better infrastructure to create more places to fish 

We’ll be pushing for more fish habitat enhancement and restoration as well as ongoing improvement of fishing platforms and jetties around WA. It’s great to see the Government has already committed to funding projects like the new Ammo Jetty in Coogee, Mount Henry Jetty in the Swan River and a new oceanic fishing platform in Bunbury, each supporting enhanced fishing opportunities for mobility-impaired fishers. These facilities are critical for providing safe, accessible fishing spots, and we’ll continue advocating for more of them. 

Future marine parks  

Having achieved a more balanced outcome for South Coast Marine Parks, there are significant challenges ahead in protecting fishing access in the planned extension to Marmion Marine Parks and a new marine park planned for Exmouth Gulf. Once again, these marine parks will require a careful balance between conservation efforts and maintaining access to fishing spots that locals hold dear. We’ll continue to advocate strongly to ensure these parks don’t shut fishers out from the places they love.  

Tackling shark bite-off – a persistent blight on fishing 

Shark depredation remains an ongoing frustration for fishers in the northern half of the State. More research and investment in science-based solutions are needed, along with the development of effective deterrent devices to minimise this growing problem. Recfishwest will keep pushing for progress on this issue to reduce the impact sharks have on recreational fishing experiences. 

Protecting fishing ground and access in Offshore Wind Energy (OWE) developments 

We’re also closely engaged in the growing interest in offshore wind energy development. While we support renewable energy, it’s essential that these projects are carefully managed so that they don’t restrict fishing access or harm the local marine environment. We’ll continue working with both the Commonwealth and State governments to protect recreational fishing as these developments progress. 

Changing focus on South-West freshwater fishing and marroning in the face of a drying climate 

Our focus on South-West freshwater fishing and marroning is also sharpening, especially in the face of a drying climate. Water levels and temperatures in our favourite rivers throughout summer are taking a toll, particularly on trout. It is critical that the Government supports the development of a comprehensive strategy and plan to ensure we can continue to enjoy inland fisheries in the South-West. It’s clear that focus and efforts must shift towards enhancing dam-based fisheries, marron stock enhancement and trialling alternative species to trout. 

2024 Troutfest highlights WA’s big love for trout and freshwater fishing

The eighth annual edition of Troutfest produced the biggest turnout yet, with beautiful weather and a lively crowd of around 400 people providing a fitting celebration of our South-West freshwater fishery!   

More than 300 larger rainbow and brown trout from mid-sized yearlings up to larger ex-broodstock sizes were hand-released into their new home, resulting in hundreds of beaming smiles for the scores of mums, dads and kids who all rolled up their sleeves and got in on the action.  

Check out the highlights from Waroona Troutfest 2024 in the video below!

With DPIRD agreeing to our request to declare the weekend freshwater ‘licence-free’ for fishers, eager families tried their hand at flicking lures or fly-fishing, with volunteers from the Western Australian Trout and Freshwater Fishing Association (WATFFA) kindly and enthusiastically spending hours teaching eager attendees the peaceful art of fly-fishing.  

The fishing is better when there’s more fish biting, and with around 66,000 more trout set for release into our South-West fresh waterways over the coming months, the future of freshwater fishing for West Aussies looks bright.  

Click here to see a full list of trout stocking numbers and locations for 2024!

Recfishwest’s Operations Lead Matt Gillett – who has been at all of the previous Troutfest events – said this year’s crowd was easily the biggest out of the eight editions.  

“Watching excited kids wade into the water to have a go at handling these fish with care before releasing them into their new home is always a great sight,” said Matt.   

“Troutfest epitomises the value of fish stocking and our South-West freshwater fishery – it’s a fun, safe and accessible fishery underpinned by the great work DPIRD does rearing such healthy fish at their Pemberton hatchery.  

“It is always a pleasure watching this event continue to grow each year thanks to the tremendous help from the community and all our Troutfest supporters and a special shout-out to the Shire of Waroona for backing in this great community event.” 

Now a highly-anticipated attraction on the South-West community calendar, this year’s Troutfest was once again made possible by the Shire of Waroona, Alcoa, our stocking partners Daiwa and DPIRD’s freshwater hatchery in Pemberton.  

Budding fishers were also able to tap into the knowledge of experienced freshwater fishers, with free fly-casting tuitions and fly-tying demonstrations on offer, along with an array of stalls packed with freshwater fishing merchandise and delicious food on offer. 

This is what it is all about! A big thanks to all the community members and our supporters for making the eighth edition of Waroona Troutfest the biggest yet!

The licence-free weekend was a good incentive for many to try their hand at chasing trout or redfin perch with picturesque backdrops, contributing to the growing $37 million in economic spending each year in regional economies from freshwater fishers. 

Waroona Troutfest is part of a carefully managed South-West trout-stocking program supporting a fishery enjoyed by around 10,000 freshwater fishing licence holders who venture to picturesque streams, rivers and dams throughout the South-West.   

Recfishwest, through its Freshwater Fisheries Reference Group, offers advice to DPIRD on where to stock each year’s cohort of hatchery-bred trout to the best benefit of freshwater anglers.  

Missed out on the 2024 Waroona Troutfest? Don’t worry – we’ll be back in Pemberton on Sunday, 13 October for the third edition of Pemberton Troutfest! Check out the highlights from last year’s Pemberton Troutfest in the video below and bring your family along!  

All the trout stocking numbers and locations for 2024!

There are 66,500 reasons to be excited for the future of freshwater fishing in WA’s beautiful South-West following the release of this year’s trout stocking numbers and locations! 

Based on the recommendations of Recfishwest’s Freshwater Fisheries Reference Group, this year’s rainbow and brown trout stocking ahead of the freshwater fishing season in Spring will see around 44,500 smaller trout fry, 19,900 mid-sized yearlings and 2,100 larger ex-broodstock released in South-West waters for the future benefit of West Aussie fishers.  

These hatchery-reared trout are released and fished for by nearly 10,000 Western Australian freshwater anglers in our dams, rivers and streams with picturesque postcard backdrops.  

Over the past few years, Recfishwest’s Freshwater Fisheries Reference Groups has advocated for the release of more larger size yearlings and ex-broodstocks and less small fry. 

This is to give the fish more resilience to environmental conditions and predation, while giving them a better chance of putting a bend in your rod!  

CICK HERE FOR SOME GREAT FRESHWATER FISHING TIPS FROM RECFISHWEST’S SAM RUSSELL

CLICK HERE FOR A SCOTT’S SPECIES FEATURE ON TROUT 

Check out the table below for planned trout stocking locations and numbers for 2024! Note: these locations and numbers may be subject to change.  

RAINBOW AND BROWN TROUT YEARLINGS (20-30CM) – 2024 STOCKING LOCATIONS AND NUMBERS 

RAINBOW AND BROWN TROUT EX-BROODSTOCK (>30CM) – 2024 STOCKING LOCATIONS AND NUMBERS 

RAINBOW TROUT FRY (5CM) – 2024 STOCKING LOCATIONS AND NUMBERS 

Help hundreds of trout dive and thrive at our upcoming Troutfest events!  

Don’t forget – There are two great community trout stocking events coming up that allow families to hand-release beautiful rainbow and brown trout! 

Once again, Recfishwest is proud to partner with the Shire of Waroona and DPIRD’s Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre to host the eighth annual Troutfest community fish stocking event to celebrate all things trout and freshwater fishing!

Troutfest 2024 Details:  

When? Saturday, 7 September, 9am – 1pm
Where? Drakesbrook Weir, Weir Road, Waroona
What to bring? Suncreen, a hat, water – fishing gear if you want – although Recfishwest will loan out gear on the day!
More info? Visit the Shire of Waroona website or contact the shire on 9733 7800. Check out the highlights from Troutfest 2023 in the video below!  

Recfishwest will also be making a return to Big Brook Dam foreshore and picnic area on Sunday, 13 October for our third annual Pemberton Trout Festival, where families can help us release hundreds more trout with the unique backdrop of giant Karri trees!

All the tips, tricks and things to look forward to for freshwater fishing in WA

It’s that time of year again! Freshwater fishers in WA are bursting with excitement to whet their whistles and chase some hard-fighting trout and delicious redfin perch.  

Late winter to early spring traditionally marks the start of WA’s freshwater season, when the water is cooler and stream flows are at optimum levels. Thanks to the many safe and easily accessible locations to throw a lure or fly around, WA boasts many freshwater fishing locations to choose from.  

With the west coast demersal closure running from 1 August – 22 September, fishers keen to scratch their fishing itch need to look no further than the serenity of our South-West forests, where the sound of kookaburras and flowing streams are sometimes only interrupted by the splash of a hooked fish.  

The exciting future for freshwater fishing in WA 

Recfishwest’s Freshwater Reference Committee works closely with DPIRD’s Aquatic Freshwater Research and Development team in ensuring WA’s trout stocking program delivers maximum benefits to the WA community.  

Each year, the committee makes recommendations to DPIRD on what quantities of trout should be stocked where in South-West waterways.  

In this context, Recfishwest recently spoke with DPIRD Senior Research Scientist Andrew Beer for his insight into what is in store for the stocking of rainbow and brown trout and the upcoming freshwater season – and there is plenty to look forward to.  

“We are making big technological advancements within not just the Pemberton hatchery centre but also to our stocking transportation vehicles. It will soon see more fish stocked per trip, state-of-the-art temperature and oxygen regulation and improved handling of the fish between the hatchery to their new stocking locations – watch this space!” said Andrew.  

If the rains fall consistently over the coming months as they did over the previous months, the improved waters levels in the dams and flows in the rivers and streams could see a rewarding freshwater season.  

“If we have a consistently wet winter that rolls through right into spring, that generally sees very good freshwater catches. The previous months have been beneficial with a steady amount of rainfall and that should benefit fishers as we head towards warmer temperatures,” added Andrew. 

Recfishwest will continue to make a strong case to Government for the development and expansion of the South-West freshwater fishery.  

Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “The fishery provides significant social value to the community and generates $20 million a year for the South-West. We believe there is massive potential for expanding the trout stocking program and fishery.  

“Changing up the stocking regime, putting in place a more robust research program associated with it, exploring new potential freshwater and trout fishing locations and potential stocking of Aussie natives could evolve and secure the fishery well into the future and could take pressure off some of our other fisheries.  

“With the Government’s renewed commitment to the Pemberton hatchery and the fishery last year, there are potentially exciting times ahead for this popular, family-friendly fishery.”

Technological advancements made within the Pemberton trout hatchery and to DPIRD’s trout stocking vehicles will soon see more fish like this beautiful ‘brownie’ transported to stocking locations in better comfort with a reduction in manual handling.

Clear your calendar for our 2023 trout stocking events!  

As champions of developing and promoting freshwater fishing in WA, Recfishwest provides the community the chance to hand-release trout into these waterways at our community stocking events.   

So, we are excited to announce the two dates of our family-friendly trout stocking events for 2023.  

Our seventh annual Troutfest community event will take place on 21 October at Drakesbrook Weir, with the Shire of Waroona and the DPIRD Pemberton Freshwater Research Centre teaming up with Recfishwest once again to help stock loads more rainbow and brown trout with the community.  

After a huge turnout for our inaugural Pemberton Trout Festival event in 2022, the event will also be making a return to Big Brook Dam foreshore on 5 November.  

Recfishwest’s Troutfest events will return to Drakesbrook Weir on 21 October, with the second Pemberton Trout Festival making a splash on 5 November at Big Brook Dam.

Freshwater fishing tips from an angling expert 

Recfishwest Senior Operations Officer and resident freshwater fishing gun, Sam Russell, divulged some of his trout and redfin tips for the months ahead.  

Best spots  

“The South-West’s bushlands are the best place to start chasing both trout species and redfin perch.  

“I fish a wide range of locations from Dwellingup all the way down to Walpole, but my favourite freshwater spot would have to be Pemberton. It hosts so many impoundments, streams and rivers among the isolated Karri forests.  

“Harvey Dam, Wellington Dam or Drakesbrook Weir are also fantastic options and these large bodies of water are filled with all three species. They also offer great camping opportunities for fishing trips with family or friends.” 

Top gear and fishing tips  

“Target rainbow and brown trout using small, bibbed minnows – rainbow and brown trout patterns both work well due to the cannibalistic nature of the species. 

“I’ll also carry a couple of darker coloured lures for overcast days and low light conditions – it might seem counter-intuitive, but black lures create a prominent silhouette in the water in these conditions. Soft plastics can also be the go. 

“If I’m fishing in tight streams and rivers with a lot of structure, an unweighted, weedless rigged plastic will often keep you snag-free and get you the bite. Small 1 or 2-inch minnow style plastics with a paddle or grub tail in natural colour patterns will work. 

“If you’re chasing redfin perch, I almost exclusively fish with soft plastics using a weedless jighead ranging in weight from about 1/16th – 1/8th of an ounce depending on water depth and flow. Combine this with a 2-inch grub tail or marron imitation soft plastic and you’re in business. 

“Fly-fishing is an iconic freshwater angling method I love but may seem daunting to learn for most fishers. No stress though, light spin outfits used for bream or herring are just as effective. Sometimes it pays to keep things simple.”  

Recfishwest Senior Operations Officer Sam Russell with a fat and healthy rainbow trout landed near Pemberton.

 

Scott’s Species – brown trout, a memorable freshwater catch

They might be an introduced species, but I must admit I love brown trout. They hold a special place in my angling heart, Scott Coghlan of the Western Angler writes, perhaps as a result of several trips to New Zealand to sight fish for them in the South Island’s gin-clear rivers.

Brown trout, Salmo trutta

Eating: 3 stars

ID: Brown to olive colouration, with dark spots all along side, some red.

Fishing for brown trout in WA is a very different experience to other parts of the world like NZ, but that doesn’t mean some very good fish can’t be caught and each one is memorable.

Recfishwest Life Member Ian Sewell with one of those NZ brown trout that Scott Coghlan dreams about.

For many years I only dreamed of catching a brown trout, until I caught a couple of rippers in one day on the Lefroy Brook.

Using spinning gear and a floating bibbed minnow, I picked up the pair along the Thompson’s Flats stretch, the second an absolute thumper than would have gone over 5lb in the old.

I floated my lure around a bend and pulled it past a corner where a tree pushed out into the flow.

The big brown came out from under the tree and nailed my lure, for a most memorable capture.

Browns are a great looking fish and the fact they are relatively rare in WA, and can grow a bit bigger than rainbows, makes them an intoxicating target in my eyes.

I have a few locations that are reliable producers of browns, mainly around Pemberton.

The Warren River and Lefroy Brook are likely spots to try and are stocked with them each year, as is Big Brook Dam.

Harvey Dam is another good spot for browns and I’ve caught them in some locations I never expected to find them, including one little scarp stream.

Many of the biggest browns caught in WA are ex-broodstock fish from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Pemberton-based hatchery, but there are truly wild big browns to be caught.

Check out this underwater shot photographer Angus Line took of one of the ex-broodstock brown trout being released at Troutfest. Picture: Angus Line

One location near Harvey used to have a great self-sustaining brown population, but it no longer open to fishing.

Browns certainly offer a more challenging target normally than the more aggressive rainbows, usually holding in slower water and more alert to movement nearby.

Generally similar tactics to fishing for rainbows apply though, often dictated by the spots where you fish.

As with rainbows, spinning with lures, bait fishing and fly fishing are all options in dams like Harvey, Big Brook and Drakesbrook.

The latter location was stocked, with some big fish released at Recfishwest and the Shire of Waroona’s Troutfest community fish stocking event in recent years.

At times browns will hunt after dark around creek mouths and they also like to cruise areas of slow water away from the main flow in rivers.

Although usually cautious I remember seeing tiny minnows spray out of the water in a Pemberton stream as a big brown chased them into the shallows.

I have also been on dams during insect hatches and browns will rise repeatedly when this happens.

Trolling lures is a good way to cover dams until you find a fish and some big browns get caught this way.

Angus Line tempted this brown trout on fly at Lake Navarino.

Most anglers will encounter browns as an occasional catch while chasing rainbows, but if you want to target them having a look at the annual trout stocking locations on the Recfishwest’s ‘I Love Fishing’ website is a good place to start.

This will tell you where they have been stocked. Click here to see.

In dams, try around creek mouths, flooded banks or submerged logs or trees.

With rivers, the key to finding browns is working out where the fish will be holding and getting your offering into that area.

The sort of wading and spotting fish they do in NZ is barely an option in WA, so we have to be more creative locally.

Although browns tend to hold in slower water than rainbows, they will still position themselves similarly, looking for holding stations where food is brought to them.

Freshwater fanatic Giordano Gervasi is very coy when it comes to his South West secret spots.

Look for rocks or logs that break the current and offer them a spot to hold without expending too much energy.

Sharp bends in river like the one mentioned earlier that offer a quiet area downstream of them are always worth a try.

For trout I always like small 5cm to 7cm floating bibbed minnows as I can let them drift downstream and then retrieve them through likely areas, particularly important when casting is limited or almost impossible.

Upstream fly fishing so popular elsewhere in world is impossible in most areas, so similar tactics on fly are often used and I have caught most local browns on a Woolly Bugger, weighted or unweighted depending on water flow.

Most WA fish caught will be 30cm to 50cm but bigger ones to 4kg do exist and the sight of a big buck-jawed male brown is unforgettable.

A rare WA gem, browns are a beautiful fish and once you’ve caught one you’ll certainly want to find more. Don’t forget a freshwater fishing licence is required to catch trout in WA!

Southern Forests Freshwater Angling Club’s Simon Holland with a lovely Big Brook brown.