Funding for Restock

The Warwick District Recreational Fish Stocking Association Inc has received advice from the Queensland Government (DEEDI) that it will receive the annual Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) money as
follows:
• Leslie Dam – $35,506, including GST, which is a record amount of money for any year since the SIPS permit scheme was introduced.
• Connolly Dam will receive $2707, including GST, which is about the maximum amount that can be allocated to it because of its size. Because of the dam size the Warwick fish stocking group is limited to a maximum annual stocking of about 12,000 Yellowbelly, 1000 Murray Cod and 1500 Silver Perch.
However, last stocking season, the fish stocking group stocked Leslie Dam to its full capacity with 310,000 Yellowbelly, 11,666 Murray Cod and 50,000 Silver Perch.
This year with the record funding, if Leslie Dam remains near capacity, the association could be stocking about 250,000 to 300,000 Yellowbelly, which should be music to the ears of all anglers who fish there.
The annual general meeting of the Warwick fish stocking group will be held on May 15 at 9am at the Leslie Dam clubhouse. It is important that anglers attend so a quorum can be achieved ensuring the work of the association continues.
Footnote: A Red Claw was caught in Leslie Dam last Friday in a shrimp trap. It is a timely reminder that it is illegal to use Red Claw as bait. Heavy penalties are in place for anyone using them for bait or to stock private dams this side of the Great Dividing Range.