By Casey O'Connor
The recent unpredictable temperatures are resulting in equally inconsistent catches for fishermen across in the region.
There is one thing that the Warwick Fish Stocking Club can now be certain of and that is their power source after receiving a grant from the Southern Downs Regional Council through the Drought Relief Scheme allowing for the purchase of a Diesel Generator.
The club is grateful to the SDRC for the grant, and the generator will now power the clubhouse lighting, fridges and a variety of electrical appliances.
Going forward this will assist the Club with their stocking activities and provide power for functions in the future.
A representative of the club, Ed Kemp has told us that Leslie Dam currently stands at around 57.5 per cent capacity which is quite good for this time of the year, but it will not be long before we will be looking for some rain to keep it topped up.
The water temperature is currently sitting at about 16 degrees which is still a little cold and is contributing to the fishing being a little slow.
Some Cod and Yellowbelly are being caught but not consistently.
The inconsistent weather appears to be a major factor.
The Yellowbelly seem to fire up on warmer days but shut down as soon as the day temperatures drops.
Much like many fishermen, I suspect.
This is a good indication that as the days warm up so will the fish activity.
This year the Fish Stocking club has ordered 40,000 golden perch from Hanwood Fish Hatchery at Murgon.
The reason for this is twofold.
Granite Belt Fish Hatchery is unable to supply all of the club’s order of golden perch this season however this will provide an opportunity to introduce some new genetics into Leslie Dam as the brood stock comes from another area.
Granite Belt Fish Hatchery will however be supplying all the club’s remaining orders for golden perch for Leslie and Connolly Dams plus all the rivers.
They will also supply the Murray Cod fingerlings which will be released into the rivers and, Leslie and Connolly Dams.
The members of the Warwick Fish Stocking Association urge all anglers to enjoy as a much time on the water as possible but remind everyone to adhere to the boating safety rules and stay safe.
