Jerilderie Fishing Club president Andrew Bell releasing some fingerlings.
The Jerilderie Fishing Club has continued its long‑running commitment to improving local waterways, releasing 8000 yellowbelly fingerlings into Billabong Creek last Wednesday.
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The fingerlings were released both upstream and downstream of Jerilderie, adding to an estimated 150,000 fish stocked since the program began.
Fisheries authorities recently advised the club that Billabong Creek holds a strong Murray cod population, prompting members to focus their stocking efforts on golden perch (yellowbelly) to help balance and strengthen the fishery.
Club treasurer, Ian Bryce, said the results are already noticeable.
“I’ve been fishing in the Billabong my whole life, and this is some of the best I can remember,” he said.
“Carp numbers are down as well, which is a big bonus.”
The stocking program is entirely community‑funded, with money raised through barbecues, raffles and local events going straight back into purchasing fingerlings.
The club currently has 35 members and welcomes more.
Fish‑stocking days and the annual kids’ fishing day are among the biggest events on the calendar.
Anyone interested can contact the Jerilderie Sports Club.
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