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Industry & Investment NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series:
Data summary from the monitoring of Australian bass and native fisheries via competition-based angling in
NSW: 1988 – 2008
Interim Report
by Danielle Ghosn (nee Williams)
August 2009
ISSN 1837-2120
23
Industry & Investment NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series
This series presents scientific and technical information on general fisheries research and the documents in the series are intended to be progress reports on ongoing investigations. Titles in this series may be cited as publications, with the correct citation on the front cover.
Fisheries Research in New South Wales Fisheries research activities in Industry & Investment NSW are based at various centres throughout the state. The studies conducted cover commercial and recreational fisheries and aquaculture, and conservation issues in coastal and riverine areas. The major role of the research is to provide information upon which relevant fisheries management policies and strategies are developed, monitored and assessed in terms of the Department’s obligations under the NSW Fisheries Management Act, 1994. Title: Data summary from the monitoring of Australian bass and native fisheries via
competition-based angling in NSW: 1988 – 2008. Interim Report. Authors: Danielle Ghosn (nee Williams) Published By: Industry & Investment NSW (now incorporating NSW Department of Primary Industries) Postal Address: PO Box 21, Cronulla, NSW, 2230 Internet: www.industry.nsw.gov.au From the Recreational Freshwater Trust Funded Project “Monitoring of Australian bass fisheries in NSW via competition-based angling”
© Department of Industry and Investment (Industry & Investment NSW) and the Recreational Freshwater Fishing Trust This work is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this reproduction may be reproduced by any process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission of the copyright owners. Neither may information be stored electronically in any form whatsoever without such permission. DISCLAIMER The publishers do not warrant that the information in this report is free from errors or omissions. The publishers do not accept any form of liability, be it contractual, tortuous or otherwise, for the contents of this report for any consequences arising from its use or any reliance placed on it. The information, opinions and advice contained in this report may not relate to, or be relevant to, a reader’s particular circumstance. ISSN 1837-2120 Note: Prior to July 2004, this report series was published by NSW Fisheries as the ‘NSW Fisheries Resource Assessment Report Series’ with ISSN number 1440-057X. Then, following the formation of the NSW Department of Primary Industries the report series was published as the ‘NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries Final Report Series’ with ISSN number 1449-9959. The report series is now published by Industry & Investment NSW as the ‘Industry & Investment NSW – Fisheries Final Report Series’ with ISSN number 1837-2120.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................................ 3 LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................................... 4 LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................ 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS............................................................................................................................... 8 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 9 2. SUMMARY OF DATA .......................................................................................................................... 9 3. OVERVIEW OF RIVER-BASED DATA........................................................................................... 11 4. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK .......................................................................................... 13 5. REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................... 14 6. APPENDICES – DATA SUMMARY FIGURES............................................................................... 15
6.1. NSW Bass Catch river events ...................................................................................................... 15 6.1.1. Clarence River: Copmanhurst Invitational (Oct-Nov) & Bridge to Bridge Classic (Aug-Sept) ... 15 6.1.2. Macleay River Bass Catch............................................................................................................ 18 6.1.3. Hastings River Bass Catch............................................................................................................ 21 6.1.4. Manning River Bass Catch ........................................................................................................... 24 6.1.5. Williams River Bass Catch ........................................................................................................... 29 6.1.6. Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch ........................................................................................ 34 6.1.7. Hawkesbury-Nepean Bass Anglers (HNBA) Interclub ................................................................ 39 6.1.8. Shoalhaven River Bass Catch ....................................................................................................... 42 6.1.9. Clyde River Bass Catch................................................................................................................ 45
6.2. NSW Impoundment events ........................................................................................................... 49 6.2.1. Clarrie Hall Dam Bass Catch........................................................................................................ 49 6.2.2. Glenbawn Dam............................................................................................................................. 52
6.2.2.1. ANSA Catch and Release Convention (Glenbawn Dam)............................................... 53 6.2.2.2. Freshwater Fishing Masters (Glenbawn Dam)............................................................. 56
6.3. Freshwater Fishing Masters (Windamere Dam)......................................................................... 59 6.3.1. Lake Yarrunga Invitational (Tallowa Dam).................................................................................. 63 6.3.2. Brogo Bass Bash (Brogo Dam)..................................................................................................... 66 6.3.3. Freshwater Fishing Masters (Lake Mulwala) ............................................................................... 69
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Between river comparisons of Australian bass size ranges and catch rates. ............................. 11
LIST OF FIGURES
Map 1. NSW rivers and impoundments where events in the current monitoring program are held...... 10 Figure 1. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event over the monitoring period in the Clarence River............................................................ 15 Figure 2. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event over the monitoring period in the Clarence River............................................................ 15 Figure 3. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events
monitored in the Clarence River................................................................................................ 16 Figure 4. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Clarence River
through time .............................................................................................................................. 16 Figure 5. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over the
monitoring period in the Clarence River ................................................................................... 17 Figure 6. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event over the monitoring period in the Macleay River. ........................................................... 18 Figure 7. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event over the monitoring period in the Macleay River. ........................................................... 18 Figure 8. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events
monitored in the Macleay River. ............................................................................................... 19 Figure 9. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Macleay River
through time. ............................................................................................................................. 19 Figure 10. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over the
monitoring period in the Macleay River.................................................................................... 20 Figure 11. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event over the monitoring period in the Hastings River............................................................ 21 Figure 12. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event over the monitoring period in the Hastings River........................................................... 21 Figure 13. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events
monitored in the Hastings River................................................................................................ 22 Figure 14. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Hastings River
through time.. ............................................................................................................................ 22 Figure 15. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over the
monitoring period in the Hastings River ................................................................................... 23 Figure 16. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event over the monitoring period in the Manning River. .......................................................... 24 Figure 17. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event over the monitoring period in the Macleay River. .......................................................... 24 Figure 18. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events
monitored in the Manning River. .............................................................................................. 25 Figure 19. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Manning River
through time .............................................................................................................................. 25 Figure 20. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the
monitoring period (1991-1997) in the Manning River.............................................................. 26 Figure 21. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the
monitoring period (1998-2004) in the Manning River.............................................................. 27 Figure 22. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the
monitoring period (2005-2008) in the Manning River.............................................................. 28 Figure 23. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event over the monitoring period in the Williams River. .......................................................... 29 Figure 24. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event over the monitoring period in the Williams River. .......................................................... 29
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Figure 25. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events monitored in the Williams River................................................................................................30
Figure 26. Average monthly rainfall for the Williams River through time.................................................30 Figure 27. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the
monitoring period (1990-1996) in the Williams River ..............................................................31 Figure 28. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the
monitoring period (1997-2003) in the Williams River ..............................................................32 Figure 29. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the
monitoring period (2004-2008) in the Williams River ..............................................................33 Figure 30. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch over the monitoring period. ....................34 Figure 31. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch over the monitoring period. ....................34 Figure 32. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch. ....................................................................................35 Figure 33. Average monthly rainfall for the Nepean River through time ...................................................35 Figure 34. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch over part of the monitoring period (1988-1995).........36 Figure 35. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch over part of the monitoring period (1996-2002).........37 Figure 36. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch over part of the monitoring period (2003-2008).........38 Figure 37. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge over the monitoring period. .....................................................................................................................39
Figure 38. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge over the monitoring period. .....................................................................................................................39
Figure 39. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge. ................................................40
Figure 40. Average monthly rainfall for Lower Portland (Hawkesbury River). .........................................40 Figure 41. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge over part of the monitoring period. ........................................................................................................................................41
Figure 42. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River. ......................................................42
Figure 43. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each event over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River. .....................................................42
Figure 44. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events monitored in the Shoalhaven River............................................................................................43
Figure 45. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Shoalhaven River through time...............................................................................................................................43
Figure 46. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River. ..............................................................................44
Figure 47. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Clyde River.................................................................45
Figure 48. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each event over the monitoring period in the Clyde River.................................................................45
Figure 49. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events monitored in the Clyde River.....................................................................................................46
Figure 50. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Clyde River through time...............................................................................................................................46
Figure 51. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the monitoring period (1990-2000) in the Clyde River.. .................................................................47
Figure 52. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over part of the monitoring period (2001-2008) in the Clyde River. ..................................................................48
Figure 53. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam ........................................................49
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Figure 54. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each event over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam. ...................................................... 49
Figure 55. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events monitored in the Clarrie Hall Dam. ........................................................................................... 50
Figure 56. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Clarrie Hall Dam through time .............................................................................................................................. 50
Figure 57. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam................................................................................ 51
Figure 58. Number of each species stocked in Glenbawn Dam through time ............................................ 52 Figure 59. Average monthly rainfall for the Glenbawn Dam through time................................................ 52 Figure 60. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of a) Australian bass; b)
golden perch; and, c) silver perch for each event of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam. ..................................................... 53
Figure 61. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each event of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam. .......................................................................................................................................... 54
Figure 62. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention monitored in Glenbawn Dam. ........................... 54
Figure 63. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam........................ 55
Figure 64. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period at the Glenbawn Dam. .. 56
Figure 65. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam......... 56
Figure 66. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Glenbawn Dam.................................. 57
Figure 67. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam ............................................... 58
Figure 68. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of a) golden perch; b) silver perch; and, c) Murray cod for each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters in Windamere Dam over the monitoring period. .............................................................................................. 59
Figure 69. Minimum, maximum and average total lengths of all golden perch recorded for each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Windamere Dam. ............... 60
Figure 70. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Windamere Dam................................ 60
Figure 71. Number of each species stocked in Windamere Dam through time.......................................... 61 Figure 72. Average monthly rainfall for the Windamere Dam through time. ............................................ 61 Figure 73. Length frequency compositions of golden perch recorded each event of the Freshwater
Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Windamere Dam. ........................................... 62 Figure 74. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event over the monitoring period in Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam). ....................................... 63 Figure 75. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event over the monitoring period of the Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) Invitational............... 63 Figure 76. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all Lake
Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) Invitational events monitored........................................................... 64 Figure 77. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for Lake Yarrunga
through time .............................................................................................................................. 64 Figure 78. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over the
monitoring period for the Lake Yarrunga Invitational (Tallowa Dam)..................................... 65 Figure 79. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of Australian bass for each
event over the monitoring period in the Brogo Dam................................................................. 66 Figure 80. Minimum, maximum and average fork lengths of all Australian bass recorded for each
event over the monitoring period in Brogo Dam....................................................................... 66 Figure 81. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all events
monitored in Brogo Dam........................................................................................................... 67 Figure 82. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for Brogo Dam through
time............................................................................................................................................ 67 Figure 83. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event over the
monitoring period in Brogo Dam .............................................................................................. 68
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Figure 84. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour of a) Murray cod; and, b) golden perch for each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters in Lake Mulwala over the monitoring period. .....................................................................................................................69
Figure 85. Minimum, maximum and average total lengths of all golden perch recorded for each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Windamere Dam.................70
Figure 86. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Lake Mulwala. ...................................70
Figure 87. Number of each species stocked in Lake Mulwala through time ..............................................71 Figure 88. Average monthly rainfall for Lake Mulwala (Yarrawonga) through time.................................71 Figure 89. Length frequency compositions of Murray cod recorded each event of the Freshwater
Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Lake Mulwala..................................................72
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Thank you to the following organisations and persons for their contribution to this research project: • The NSW Freshwater Fishing Trust and the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW
DPI) for funding this research. • All event organisers and participating anglers for their tireless efforts in providing data for this
research. • NSW DPI staff for their assistance with this report by means of graphing of results, data entry,
data checking and/or data management including Geoff Barrett, Jim Craig, Antony Gould, Sandra Howarth, Emily Lawson, Yola Metti and Amy Smoothey.
• To my supervisors James Scandol, Aldo Steffe, Charles Gray and Steve Kennelly for their ongoing support and advice.
• To Kevin Rowling and Jeffrey Murphy for their time and contributions as reviewers of this report.
• To Tracey McVea for her time and contribution in formatting this report. This report is dedicated to Dr John Harris who was responsible for the conception and initial design of this research program. Dr Harris along with research technicians including Simon Hartley, Tim Marsden, Garry Thorncraft and Matthew Barwick are responsible for the collation of the first decade of data included in this report. Bryan Van der Walt, Mark James and Timothy Park continued this research program up until 2006 when Danielle Ghosn assumed this role.
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1. INTRODUCTION
The primary objective of this NSW monitoring program is to sample the catch and effort at Bass Catch events in support of the assessment of the recreational-only Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata fishery. This monitoring is done via competition-based angling and marked its 20th Anniversary in 2008. Over these twenty years of monitoring, participating anglers have recorded the catch and release of about 59000 fish with about 55100 of those being Australian bass. This large monitoring data set represents one of very few long-term sources of information on Australian bass and other freshwater fisheries in NSW. Data are collected using a Catch Card Angler Return System (CARS). A detailed description of this CARS method can be found in Williams & Scandol (2008). The Bass Catch component of this monitoring program started in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River System in 1988 and resulted from a strong interest by bass angling groups to participate in fisheries research and management. The Bass Catch project then expanded to other eastern drainage rivers of NSW in 1992. In addition to bass monitoring in the rivers, the program also expanded to impoundment events in 1998. To date, many participants of these earlier events remain consistent and reliable contributors of data for this research. There are no previous reports that document all of these data. This interim report is therefore aimed at presenting an overview of this monitoring work. Graphical representations of catch rates, size statistics and size compositions are provided. Detailed interpretations of these data will be presented in future reports. 2. SUMMARY OF DATA
The current monitoring program collects data from at least eleven bass fishing events each fiscal year, conducted in eight river systems in NSW - the Clarence, Hastings, Macleay, Manning, Williams, Hawkesbury-Nepean, Shoalhaven and Clyde Rivers (Map 1). The fishing effort of participating bass anglers at these events has resulted in a total catch of about 45 000 native fish that were all measured and released. This included about 44 000 Australian bass Macquaria novemaculeata as well as other fish species such as estuary perch Macquaria colonorum, bream Acanthopagrus spp., tailor Pomatomus saltatrix, freshwater catfish Tandanus tandanus and freshwater herring Potamalosa richmondia. Data are also currently collected from fishing events held at six NSW impoundments that include: Glenbawn Dam, Windamere Dam, Brogo Dam, Lake Mulwala, Tallowa Dam (Lake Yarrunga) and Clarrie Hall Dam (Map 1). The fishing effort of participating anglers in these impoundment events has resulted in the catch of about 14 000 fish that were all measured and released. This included about 11 100 Australian bass, 1600 golden perch Macquaria ambigua and 900 Murray cod Maccullochella peelii as well as other fish species such as silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus, freshwater catfish, European carp Cyprinus carpio, redfin Perca fluviatilis and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. A summary of data for these river and impoundment events, including catch rate, size statistics and size composition graphs, are provided in this report. Other information is also presented to accompany these data, including the history of fish stocked (if any) in each waterway and the average annual rainfall for each event location. Detailed interpretations of these data will be provided in future project reports.
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Map 1. NSW rivers and impoundments where events in the current monitoring program
are held.
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3. OVERVIEW OF RIVER-BASED DATA
These data demonstrate differences in fishing outcomes between years and between rivers. Some rivers appear to have larger numbers and a wider size range of Australian bass available to the fishery. These rivers provide good fishing quality and a resilient fish population. Other rivers appear to have lower numbers and a wider size range of Australian bass. These areas provide lower fishing quality in terms of fish numbers, but may provide better fishing quality in terms of the size of fish available. Some rivers appear to have relatively high numbers of bass but the fish have a smaller size range. Bass populations with either a low abundance or a small size range are not likely to be as resilient to recruitment variability. A contrasting example of bass populations is shown in the data from the Macleay and Manning Rivers (Table 1). In the Macleay River, catch rates are relatively high and there is a good size range of fish. The Macleay River also has the largest size range with overall minimum and maximum fork lengths of 40mm and 570mm, respectively (Table 1). The Manning River has the lowest overall average catch rate (indicating smaller numbers of bass available to the fishery) yet still has a good size range, with overall minimum and maximum fork lengths of 80mm and 580mm, respectively (Table 1). It is interesting to compare these two rivers as they have very different flow regimes. The Macleay is an unregulated river while the Manning River has several causeways that can inhibit fish passage, particularly during periods of low rainfall. This highlights the potential impact that fish barriers and environmental variables (such as rainfall) can have on fish populations. Table 1. Between river comparisons of Australian bass size ranges and catch rates. The
minimum and maximum fork lengths (mm) and catch rates (number of fish per fisher hour) are presented for each river system. Indictors of between river differences include the difference between the maximum and minimum fork length and the overall average catch rate for each river.
River Minimum Maximum Maximum - Minimum Minimum Maximum AverageClarence 75 510 435 0.04 1.25 0.40Macleay 40 570 530 0.52 1.48 0.89Hastings 70 495 425 0.28 1.15 0.71Manning 80 580 500 0.02 1.33 0.34Williams 40 510 470 0.08 2.91 1.34Hawkesbury/Nepean 30 480 450 0.16 3.72 1.20Shoalhaven 56 450 394 0.03 0.91 0.42Clyde 80 440 360 0.14 1.37 0.63
BETWEEN RIVER COMPARISONS OF AUSTRALIAN BASS SIZE RANGES AND CATCH RATES
Fork length (mm) CPUE (fish/hr)
There are indications that the catch rates and, by inference, the population size of the Australian bass population in the Manning River has increased over time. In the mid-1990’s recruitment failures in the Manning River were apparent, as indicated by low catch rates and nil catch of juvenile bass (Figures 16 & 17). There are now indications of improved Australian bass recruitment with young-of-the-year bass being caught during many events since October 2001 (Figure 21 & 22). Catch rates have also increased since that time. Furthermore, in 2007 the average monthly rainfall increased significantly (Figure 19). This coincided with an influx of new recruits as many young-of-the-year Australian bass were caught during Bass Catch events in that year (Figure 22).
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These trends observed in the Manning River demonstrate that these data can provide useful indicators of the status of the Australian bass population in that river. Inferences can also be made about the effect of environmental variables such as river flows and rainfall and how they may influence the Australian bass populations and any associated fisheries. More detailed analyses could be done in the future to assess these relationships. These investigations could be done using river or impoundment-based competition data. Previous analyses using Bass Catch data are available in two published journal articles by Growns and James (2005) and Van der Walt et al. (2005). These articles are available upon request [email protected] or (02) 9527 8549 or Danielle Ghosn, I&I NSW, PO Box 21, Cronulla NSW 2230.
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4. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE WORK
What these data demonstrate is that the Catch Card Angler Return System is a method that has the ability to provide information for the assessment of native fish stocks. Size composition data are particularly useful in assessing recruitment pulses and the survival of certain cohorts. These size compositions may also provide indicators of stocking success in some impoundments. Catch rates and size statistics are useful as indicators of fishing quality. Catch rates may be influenced by various factors such as (but not limited to) environmental conditions, fishing methods, fishing gears and angler skill. To improve the usefulness of these catch rates as indices of abundance, future work needs to focus on the inclusion of these types of factors within standardisations of catch rates i.e. removing the influence of these variables on those catch rates. This may require additional surveys of past and current participating anglers to document some of the changes in fishing gears and methods used over the study period. Information that is currently collected that will assist catch rate standardisation includes fishing methods, lure types, river reaches fished and angler avidity. To improve the use of catch rates as indicators of fishing quality, additional calculations also need to be done. The catch rates presented in this report were calculated as the total number of fish divided by the total number of fisher hours (known as the ratio of the means estimator). A different method that could be used would be to calculate a catch rate for each trip (as the number of fish divided by the number of fisher hours) and then the average of all these individual trip catch rates (known as the mean of the ratios estimator). It is suggested in Pollock et al (1997) that the mean of the ratios estimator provides a more robust indicator for assessing changes in fishing quality through time. An ongoing focus of this research project is to increase participation rates in Bass Catch events, particularly where the number of participating anglers is too small. A participation increase would enable a greater spread of anglers throughout the river system. Data would be more representative of the river system as a whole and indicators of fishing quality, fish abundance and size structures would be more robust. Over the past two years of monitoring, there have been concerted efforts to improve the spread of anglers across the river reaches in each system. More detailed analyses of these data by each river reach will be provided in future reports. The data set of this monitoring program is one of very few long-term sources of information that can be used to manage Australian bass populations in NSW. Continuation of this program into the future is thus important. Collection of data over the next few years will need to continue to focus on data quality to ensure the best outcomes from this research project. More detailed analyses using these data could provide a greater understanding of which characteristics represent healthy bass populations in NSW and how the recreational Australian bass fishery could be best managed in the future.
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5. REFERENCES
Growns, I. and James, M. (2005) Relationships between river flows and recreational catches of Australian bass. Journal of Fish Biology 66, 404-416. Pollock, K.H., Hoenig, J.M., Jones, C.M., Robson, D.S. and Greene, C.J. (1997) Catch rate estimation for roving and access point surveys. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 17, 11-19. Van der Walt, B., Faragher, R.A. and Harris, J. (2005) Comparative angler catches of Australian bass (Macquaria novemavuleata) in three major river systems in New South Wales, Australia. Asian Fisheries Science 18, 175-193. Williams, D.L. and Scandol, J.P. (2008) 'Review of NSW recreational fishing tournament-based monitoring methods and datasets. Fisheries Final Report Series No. 99.' NSW DPI, Cronulla, NSW Australia.
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6. APPENDICES – DATA SUMMARY FIGURES
6.1. NSW Bass Catch river events
6.1.1. Clarence River: Copmanhurst Invitational (Oct-Nov) & Bridge to Bridge Classic (Aug-Sept)
Event Year_Month
2000
_820
00_9
2001
_920
01_1
020
02_9
2002
_10
2003
_920
03_1
120
04_9
2004
_11
2005
_920
05_1
120
06_9
2007
_10
2008
_10
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.0
0.4
0.8
1.2
1.6
2.0
Figure 1. Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard
error) of Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Clarence River.
Event Year_Month
2000
_820
00_9
2001
_920
01_1
020
02_9
2002
_10
2003
_920
03_1
120
04_9
2004
_11
2005
_920
05_1
120
06_9
2007
_10
2008
_10
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600 AverageMaximumMinimum
Figure 2. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clarence River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
16 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 3. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Clarence River.
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
20
40
60
80
100
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Figure 4. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Clarence
River through time. Rainfall data are for Grafton Pool (Clarence) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 058130.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 17
2000_9N=23
05
1015
2000_8N=71
05
1015
2001_9N=118
05
1015
2001_10N=355
05
1015
2002_9N=343
05
1015
2002_10N=171
05
1015
2003_9N=52
05
1015
2005_9N=52
05
1015
2005_11N=178
05
1015
2006_9N=199
05
1015
2007_10N=249
05
1015
2004_11N=200
05
1015
2004_9N=38
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
2003_11N=215
05
1015
2008_10N=212
Fork length (cm)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 6505
1015
Figure 5. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clarence River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
18 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
6.1.2. Macleay River Bass Catch
Event Year_Month
2000
_9
2001
_9
2002
_9
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
2008
_9
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
Figure 6. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Macleay River.
Event Year_Month
2000
_9
2001
_9
2002
_9
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
2008
_9
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700 AverageMaximumMInimum
Figure 7. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Macleay River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 19
0
50
100
150
200
250
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 8. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Macleay River.
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Figure 9. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Macleay
River through time. Rainfall data are for Aldavilla (closest station to the Macleay River) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 59135.
Average monthly rainfall Australian bass
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
20 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
0
5
10 2000_9N=499
2001_9N=1603
0
5
10
2002_9N=575
0
5
10
2003_9N=566
0
5
10
2005_9N=629
0
5
10
2004_9N=778
0
5
10
2008_9N=867
Fork length (cm)
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
0
5
10
2006_9N=646
0
5
10
2007_9N=552
0
5
10
Figure 10. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Macleay River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 21
6.1.3. Hastings River Bass Catch
Event Year_Month
2001
_12
2002
_12
2003
_12
2004
_12
2005
_2
2005
_10
2006
_2
2007
_12
2008
_10
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
Figure 11. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Hastings River.
Event Year_Month
2001
_12
2002
_12
2003
_12
2004
_12
2005
_2
2005
_10
2006
_2
2007
_12
2008
_10
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600AverageMinimumMaximum
Figure 12. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Hastings River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
22 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
0
5
10
15
20
25
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 13. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Hastings River.
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
50
100
150
200
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
) ± S
E
0
50
100
150
200
250Average monthly rainfall Australian bass
Figure 14. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Hastings
River through time. Rainfall data are for Wauchope (closest station to the Hastings River) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 60035.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 23
05
1015 2001_12
N=52
2002_12N=18
05
1015
2003_12N=53
05
1015
2004_12N=71
05
1015
2005_10N=31
05
1015
2005_2N=44
05
1015
2007_12N=92
05
1015
2006_2N=63
05
1015
2008_10N=105
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 15. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Hastings River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
24 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
6.1.4. Manning River Bass Catch
Event Year_Month
1991
_11
1992
_04
1992
_10
1993
_04
1993
_11
1994
_04
1994
_11
1995
_04
1995
_11
1996
_04
1996
_11
1997
_04
1997
_11
1998
_03
1998
_10
1999
_03
2000
_04
2000
_10
2001
_04
2001
_10
2002
_03
2002
_10
2003
_03
2003
_10
2004
_04
2004
_10
2005
_03
2005
_10
2006
_03
2006
_10
2007
_03
2007
_10
2008
_03
2008
_10
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
CPU
E (±
SE)
Figure 16. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Manning River.
Event Year_Month
1991
_11
1992
_04
1992
_10
1993
_04
1993
_11
1994
_04
1994
_11
1995
_04
1995
_11
1996
_04
1996
_11
1997
_04
1997
_11
1998
_03
1998
_10
1999
_03
2000
_04
2000
_10
2001
_04
2001
_10
2002
_03
2002
_10
2003
_03
2003
_10
2004
_04
2004
_10
2005
_03
2005
_10
2006
_03
2006
_10
2007
_03
2007
_10
2008
_03
2008
_10
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
Figure 17. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Macleay River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 25
0102030405060708090
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 18. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Manning River.
Year
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
10
20
30
40
50Average monthly rainfall Stocked Australian bass
Figure 19. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Manning
River through time. Rainfall data are for Wingham (Lanark CLS) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 060036.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
26 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
1991_11N=70
05
1015
1992_10N=41
05
1015
1992_4N=8
05
1015
1993_4N=17
05
1015
1993_11N=34
05
1015
1994_4N=14
05
1015
1994_11N=32
05
1015
1995_11N=70
05
1015
1995_4N=4
05
1015
1996_4N=35
05
1015
1996_11N=69
05
1015
1997_4N=22
05
1015
1997_11N=34
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 20. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (1991-1997) in the Manning River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 27
Fork length (cm)
% F
requ
ency
1998_3N=23
05
1015
1999_3N=9
05
1015
1998_10N=4
05
1015
2000_10N=23
05
1015
2001_4N=21
05
1015
2001_10N=50
05
1015
2002_3N=102
05
1015
2003_3N=45
05
1015
2002_10N=214
05
1015
2003_10N=44
05
1015
2004_4N=25
05
1015
2004_10N=13
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 6505
1015
Figure 21. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (1998-2004) in the Manning River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
28 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
2005_10N=49
05
1015
2006_3N=35
05
1015
2006_10N=67
05
1015
2007_3N=78
05
1015
2008_3N=72
05
1015
2007_10N=65
05
1015
2005_3N=9
05
1015
2008_10N=173
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 22. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (2005-2008) in the Manning River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 29
6.1.5. Williams River Bass Catch
Event Year_Month
1990
_11
1991
_319
91_1
119
92_4
1992
_11
1993
_319
93_1
119
94_3
1994
_11
1995
_419
95_1
119
96_3
1996
_11
1997
_319
97_1
119
98_3
1998
_12
1999
_319
99_1
220
00_5
2000
_11
2001
_420
01_1
120
02_4
2002
_11
2003
_320
03_1
120
04_3
2004
_11
2005
_420
05_1
120
06_3
2006
_11
2007
_320
07_1
120
08_3
2008
-11
0
1
2
3
4
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
Figure 23. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Williams River.
Event Year_Month
1990
_11
1991
_319
91_1
119
92_4
1992
_11
1993
_319
93_1
119
94_3
1994
_11
1995
_419
95_1
119
96_3
1996
_11
1997
_319
97_1
119
98_3
1998
_12
1999
_319
99_1
220
00_5
2000
_11
2001
_420
01_1
120
02_4
2002
_11
2003
_320
03_1
120
04_3
2004
_11
2005
_420
05_1
120
06_3
2006
_11
2007
_320
07_1
120
08_3
2008
-11
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600AverageMinimumMaximum
Figure 24. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Williams River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
30 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
020406080
100120140160180
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 25. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Williams River.
Year
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
020406080
100120140160
Figure 26. Average monthly rainfall for the Williams River through time. Rainfall data are for
Patterson (Tocal AWS) (closest station to the Williams River) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 061250. Please note that there are no records of stocking of Australian bass in the Williams River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 31
1995_11N=853
05
1015
1990_11N=468
05
1015
1991_11N=233
05
1015
1991_3N=342
05
1015
1992_4N=68
05
1015
1992_11N=505
05
1015
1993_3N=19
05
1015
1993_11N=747
05
1015
1994_11N=1142
05
1015
1994_3N=307
05
1015
1995_4N=534
05
1015
1996_3N=341
05
1015
1996_11N=548
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 27. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (1990-1996) in the Williams River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
32 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
2003_11N=365
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 6505
1015
1997_3N=423
05
1015
1998_3N=130
05
1015
1997_11N=423
05
1015
1998_12N=177
05
1015
1999_3N=214
05
1015
1999_12N=268
05
1015
2000_5N=109
05
1015
2001_3N=261
05
1015
2000_11N=294
05
1015
2001_11N=463
05
1015
2002_4N=228
05
1015
2002_11N=454
05
1015
2003_3N=187
Fork length (cm)
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 28. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (1997-2003) in the Williams River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 33
2004_3N=423
05
1015
2004_11N=256
05
1015
2005_11N=668
05
1015
2005_4N=283
05
1015
2006_3N=256
05
1015
2006_11N=348
05
1015
2007_3N=248
05
1015
2008_3N=480
05
1015
2007_11N=495
05
1015
2008_11N=661
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 29. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (2004-2008) in the Williams River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
34 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
6.1.6. Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch
Event year_month
1988
_10
1989
_219
89_1
019
90_3
1990
_10
1991
_319
91_1
019
92_2
1992
_10
1993
_219
93_1
019
94_2
1994
_10
1995
_219
95_1
019
96_2
1996
_10
1997
_219
97_1
019
98_2
1998
_10
1999
_219
99_1
020
00_2
2000
_10
2001
_220
01_1
020
02_2
2002
_10
2003
_220
03_1
020
04_2
2004
_10
2005
_220
05_1
020
06_2
2006
_10
2007
_220
07_1
020
08_2
2008
_10
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0
1
2
3
4
5
Figure 30. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch over the monitoring period.
Event Year_Month
1988
_10
1989
_219
89_1
019
90_3
1990
_10
1991
_319
91_1
019
92_2
1992
_10
1993
_219
93_1
019
94_2
1994
_10
1995
_219
95_1
019
96_2
1996
_10
1997
_219
97_1
019
98_2
1998
_10
1999
_219
99_1
020
00_2
2000
_10
2001
_220
01_1
020
02_2
2002
_10
2003
_220
03_1
020
04_2
2004
_10
2005
_220
05_1
020
06_2
2006
_10
2007
_220
07_1
020
08_2
2008
_10
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600AverageMinimumMaximum
Figure 31. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch (year_month) over the monitoring period.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 35
020406080
100120140160
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 32. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch. y
Year
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
50
100
150
200
Figure 33. Average monthly rainfall for the Nepean River through time. Rainfall data are for
Castlereagh Road (closest station to the Nepean River) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 067002. Please note that there are no records of stocking of Australian bass in the Nepean River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
36 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
1989_2N=317
05
1015
1989_10N=627
05
1015
1990_3N=338
05
1015
1990_10N=440
05
1015
1991_3N=427
05
1015
1991_10N=461
05
1015
1992_2N=295
05
1015
1992_10N=548
05
1015
1993_2N=910
05
1015
1993_10N=582
05
1015
1994_2N=364
05
1015
1994_10N=352
05
1015
1995_2N=529
05
1015
1995_10N=263
Fork length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
1988_10N=164
05
1015
Figure 34. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch (year_month) over part of the monitoring period (1988-1995). N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 37
2002_10N=264
Fork length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
1997_2N=324
05
1015
1997_10N=250
05
1015
1998_2N=94
05
1015
1998_10N=51
05
1015
1999_2N=196
05
1015
1999_10N=390
05
1015
2000_2N=228
05
1015
2000_10N=269
05
1015
2001_2N=310
05
1015
2001_10N=175
05
1015
2002_2N=209
05
1015
1996_2N=350
05
1015
1996_10N=472
05
1015
Figure 35. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch (year_month) over part of the monitoring period (1996-2002). N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
38 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
2007_10N=428
05
1015
2005_10N=531
05
1015
2006_10N=296
05
1015
2008_2N=62
05
1015
2007_2N=201
05
1015
2005_2N=141
05
1015
2006_2N=129
05
1015
2004_2N=132
05
1015
2004_10N=387
05
1015
2003_2N=148
05
1015
2003_10N=89
05
1015
2008_10N=554
Fork length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 36. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch (year_month) over part of the monitoring period (2003-2008). N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 39
6.1.7. Hawkesbury-Nepean Bass Anglers (HNBA) Interclub
Event Year_Month
2001
_1
2002
_1
2003
_1
2004
_1
2005
_2
2006
_2
2007
_2
2008
_2
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
Figure 37. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge over the monitoring period.
Event Year_Month
2001
_1
2002
_1
2003
_1
2004
_1
2005
_2
2006
_2
2007
_2
2008
_2
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600AverageMinimumMaximum
Figure 38. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge (year_month) over the monitoring period.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
40 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
020406080
100120140160180
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 39. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge.
Year
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Figure 40. Average monthly rainfall (± standard error) for Lower Portland (Hawkesbury
River). These data were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology Station Number 067094. Please note that there are no records of stocking of Australian bass in the Hawkesbury-Nepean River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 41
2001_1N=124
05
1015
2002_1N=267
05
1015
2003_1N=368
05
1015
2004_1N=320
05
1015
2007_2N=177
05
1015
2005_2N=110
05
1015
Fork length (cm)
% F
requ
ency
2008_2N=287
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 5005
1015
2006_2N=233
05
1015
Fork length (cm) Figure 41. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event of the
Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge (year_month) over part of the monitoring period. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
42 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
6.1.8. Shoalhaven River Bass Catch
Event Year_Month
1996
_3
1996
_11
1997
_3
1997
_11
1998
_11
1999
_3
1999
_11
2000
_11
2001
_2
2005
_5
2006
_5
2008
_9
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
Figure 42. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River.
Event Year_Month
1996
_3
1996
_11
1997
_3
1997
_11
1998
_11
1999
_3
1999
_11
2000
_11
2001
_2
2005
_5
2006
_5
2008
_9
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
Figure 43. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 43
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 44. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Shoalhaven River.
Year
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
100
200
300
400
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
50
100
150
200
250
Figure 45. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the
Shoalhaven River through time. Rainfall data are for the Greenwell Point Bowling Club (closest station to the Shoalhaven River) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 068080.
Average monthly rainfall (mm)Australian bass
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
44 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
05
1015
1996_11N=293
05
1015
1997_3N=340
05
1015
1997_11N=458
05
1015
1999_3N=18
05
1015
1998_11N=114
05
1015
2008_9N=20
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
1999_11N=64
05
1015
2000_11N=67
05
1015
2001_2N=6
05
1015
2005_5N=7
05
1015
2006_5N=20
05
1015
1996_3N=199
Figure 46. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 45
6.1.9. Clyde River Bass Catch
Event Year_Month
1990
_219
91_2
1994
_219
95_2
1996
_219
97_2
1998
_219
99_2
2000
_220
01_2
2002
_220
03_2
2004
_220
05_3
2006
_320
07_2
2008
_2
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
Figure 47. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Clyde River.
Event Year_Month
1990
_219
91_2
1994
_219
95_2
1996
_219
97_2
1998
_219
99_2
2000
_220
01_2
2002
_220
03_2
2004
_220
05_3
2006
_320
07_2
2008
_2
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500AverageMaximumMinimum
Figure 48. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clyde River.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
46 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trips
(day
s)
Figure 49. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Clyde River.
Year
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
10
20
30
40
50Average monthly rainfall (mm)Australian bass
Figure 50. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Clyde
River through time. Rainfall data are for the Batemans Bay Country Club (closest station to the Clyde River) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 069134.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 47
1990_2N=30
05
1015
05
1015
1994_2N=66
05
1015
1995_2N=98
05
1015
1996_2N=56
05
1015
1997_2N=144
05
1015
1998_2N=75
05
1015
2000_2N=105
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
1991_2N=160
1999_2N=113
05
1015
Figure 51. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (1990-2000) in the Clyde River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
48 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
1991_2N=160
2002_2N=234
05
1015
2003_2N=89
05
1015
2004_2N=49
05
1015
2005_3N=98
05
1015
2006_3N=102
05
1015
2007_2N=14
05
1015
2008_2N=32
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
2001_2N=167
05
1015
Figure 52. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over part of the monitoring period (2001-2008) in the Clyde River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 49
6.2. NSW Impoundment events
6.2.1. Clarrie Hall Dam Bass Catch
Event Year_Month
2004
_11
2005
_4
2005
_11
2006
_4
2006
_11
2007
_11
2008
_10
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
Figure 53. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam. Please note that the CPUE has not been calculated for the 2006 April event as there were no fishing effort data for this event.
Event Year_Month
2004
_11
2005
_4
2005
_11
2006
_4
2006
_11
2007
_11
2008
_10
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600AverageMinimumMaximum
Figure 54. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
50 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 55. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in the Clarrie Hall Dam.
Year
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
50
100
150
200
Figure 56. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for the Clarrie
Hall Dam through time. Rainfall data are for Uki (closest station to the Clarrie Hall Dam) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 58167.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 51
05
1015
2005_4N=209
05
1015
2005_11N=418
05
1015
2006_4N=207
05
1015
2007_11N=369
05
1015
2006_11N=396
05
1015
2004_11N=372
2008_10N=328
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
05
1015
Figure 57. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
52 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
6.2.2. Glenbawn Dam
Year
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
No.
fish
sto
cked
(tho
usan
ds)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700Australian bass Golden perch Silver perch Rainbow trout
Figure 58. Number of each species stocked in Glenbawn Dam through time. Species that have
been stocked in this impoundment include Australian bass, golden perch, silver perch and rainbow trout.
Year
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
) ± S
E
0
20
40
60
80
100
Figure 59. Average monthly rainfall for the Glenbawn Dam through time. Rainfall data were
obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 061094.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 53
6.2.2.1. ANSA Catch and Release Convention (Glenbawn Dam)
A. Australian bass
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
2008
_9
CPU
E ±
SE
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
B. Golden perch
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
2008
_9
CPU
E ±
SE
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
C. Silver perch
Year_Month
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
2008
_9
CPU
E ±
SE
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
Figure 60. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
a) Australian bass; b) golden perch; and, c) silver perch for each event (year_month) of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
54 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
Year_Month
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
2008
_9
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700AverageMinimumMaximum
Figure 61. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam.
0
50
100
150
200
250
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 62. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention monitored in Glenbawn Dam.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 55
05
1015
2004_9N=229
2003_9N=511
05
1015
2005_9N=180
05
1015
2006_9N=192
05
1015
2007_9N=144
05
1015
2008_9N=236
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 63. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
56 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
6.2.2.2. Freshwater Fishing Masters (Glenbawn Dam)
1999
_5
2000
_5
2001
_9
2002
_9
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
CPU
E (±
SE)
Event Year_Month Figure 64. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period (year_month) at the Glenbawn Dam.
g ( ) g ( )
Event Year_Month
1999
_5
2000
_5
2001
_9
2002
_9
2003
_9
2004
_9
2005
_9
2006
_9
2007
_9
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
200
400
600
Figure 65. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 57
0102030405060708090
100
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 66. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Glenbawn Dam.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
58 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
05
1015
1999_5N=9
05
1015
2001_9N=145
05
1015
2002_9N=217
05
1015
2003_9N=260
05
1015
2004_9N=139
05
1015
2005_9N=115
05
1015
2007_9N=153
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
2006_9N=123
05
1015
2000_5N=24
Figure 67. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded each event
(year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 59
6.3. Freshwater Fishing Masters (Windamere Dam)
A. Golden perch
1999
_12
2000
_12
2001
_11
2002
_11
2003
_11
2004
_11
2005
_11
2006
_11
2007
_11
2008
_11
CPU
E ±
SE
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
B. Silver perch
1999
_12
2000
_12
2001
_11
2002
_11
2003
_11
2004
_11
2005
_11
2006
_11
2007
_11
2008
_11
CPU
E ±
SE
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
C. Murray cod
Year_Month
1999
_12
2000
_12
2001
_11
2002
_11
2003
_11
2004
_11
2005
_11
2006
_11
2007
_11
2008
_11
CPU
E ±
SE
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
Figure 68. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
a) golden perch; b) silver perch; and, c) Murray cod for each event (year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters in Windamere Dam over the monitoring period.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
60 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
Event Year_Month
1999
_12
2000
_12
2001
_11
2002
_11
2003
_11
2004
_11
2005
_11
2006
_11
2007
_11
2008
_11
Tota
l len
gth
(mm
)
0
200
400
600
800
AverageMinimumMaximum
Figure 69. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) total lengths of all golden
perch recorded for each event (year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Windamere Dam.
0102030405060708090
100
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 70. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Windamere Dam.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 61
Year
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0100200300400500600700800900
1000Golden Perch Murray Cod Silver Perch
Figure 71. Number of each species stocked in Windamere Dam through time. Species that
have been stocked in this impoundment include golden perch, Murray cod, silver perch and rainbow trout.
Year
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
50
100
150
200
250
Figure 72. Average monthly rainfall for the Windamere Dam through time. Rainfall data were
obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number IDCJAC0001.
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62 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
1999_12N=93
06
121824
2000_12N=84
06
121824
2001_11N=128
% F
requ
ency
06
121824
2002_11N=78
06
121824
2003_11N=37
06
121824
2004_11N=97
06
121824
2005_11N=163
06
121824
2006_11N=108
06
121824
2007_11N=182
06
121824
2008_11N=39
Total length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80
06
121824
Figure 73. Length frequency compositions of golden perch recorded each event (year_month)
of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Windamere Dam. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 63
6.3.1. Lake Yarrunga Invitational (Tallowa Dam)
Event Year_Month
1998
_3
1999
_3
2000
_3
2001
_3
2002
_3
2003
_3
2004
_3
2005
_11
2007
_11
2008
_11
CPU
E (+
/- SE
)
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
Figure 74. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam).
Event Year_Month
1998
_3
1999
_3
2000
_3
2001
_3
2002
_3
2003
_3
2004
_3
2005
_11
2007
_11
2008
_11
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Figure 75. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period of the Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) Invitational.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
64 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
020406080
100120140160180
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 76. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) Invitational events monitored.
Year
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Aver
age
ranf
all (
mm
)
20406080
100120140160180200220
Australian bassAverage monthly rainfall
Figure 77. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for Lake
Yarrunga through time. Rainfall data are for the Greenwell Point Bowling Club (closest station to Lake Yarrunga) and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 068080.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 65
05
1015 1998_3
N=458
1999_3N=146
05
1015
2000_3N=448
05
1015
2001_3N=575
05
1015
2003_3N=331
05
1015
2002_3N=695
05
1015
2007_11N=39
05
1015
2004_3N=198
05
1015
2005_11N=281
05
1015
2008_11N=169
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
Figure 78. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over the monitoring period for the Lake Yarrunga Invitational (Tallowa Dam). N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
66 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
6.3.2. Brogo Bass Bash (Brogo Dam)
Event Year_Month
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
CPU
E (±
SE)
Figure 79. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
Australian bass for each event over the monitoring period in the Brogo Dam.
Event Year_Month
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Fork
leng
th (m
m)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
Figure 80. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) fork lengths of all Australian
bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in Brogo Dam.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 67
020406080
100120140160180
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trips
(day
s)
Figure 81. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all events monitored in Brogo Dam.
Year
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120Australian bassAverage monthly rainfall
Figure 82. Number of Australian bass stocked and average monthly rainfall for Brogo Dam
through time. Rainfall data are for the Brogo Dam and were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 069140.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
68 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
2000N=95
1999N=245
05
1015
05
1015
2001N=175
05
1015
2002N=431
05
1015
2003N=412
05
1015
2004N=210
05
1015
2005N=246
05
1015
2006N=286
05
1015
2007N=297
Fork length (cm)5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
% F
requ
ency
05
1015
2000N=95
Figure 83. Length frequency compositions of Australian bass recorded for each event
(year_month) over the monitoring period in Brogo Dam. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 69
6.3.3. Freshwater Fishing Masters (Lake Mulwala)
A. Murray cod
Year_Month
1999
_2
2000
_2
2001
_3
2002
_3
2003
_3
2005
_2
2006
_3
2007
_3
2008
_2
CPU
E ±
SE
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
B. Golden perch
Year_Month
1999
_2
2000
_2
2001
_3
2002
_3
2003
_3
2005
_2
2006
_3
2007
_3
2008
_2
CPU
E ±
SE
0.00
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
Figure 84. Catch per unit of effort as the number of fish per angler hour (± standard error) of
a) Murray cod; and, b) golden perch for each event (year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters in Lake Mulwala over the monitoring period.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
70 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
Year_Month
1999
_2
2000
_2
2001
_3
2002
_3
2003
_3
2005
_2
2006
_3
2007
_3
2008
_2
Tota
l len
gth
(mm
)
0
200
400
600
800
1000
MinimumAverageMaximum
Figure 85. Minimum, maximum and average (± standard error) total lengths of all golden
perch recorded for each event (year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Windamere Dam..
0102030405060708090
100
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year
No.
fish
ing
trip
s (d
ays)
Figure 86. The total number of angler days of fishing recorded during each calendar year for
all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Lake Mulwala.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 71
Year
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
No.
fish
(tho
usan
ds)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700Golden perch Silver perch
Figure 87. Number of each species stocked in Lake Mulwala through time. Species that have
been stocked in this impoundment include golden perch and silver perch.
Year
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Aver
age
rain
fall
(mm
)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Figure 88. Average monthly rainfall (± standard error) for Lake Mulwala (Yarrawonga)
through time. Rainfall data were obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology station number 81124.
Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)
72 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
1999_2N=180
06
121824
2000_2N=86
06
121824
2001_3N=155
% F
requ
ency
06
121824
2002_3N=42
06
121824
2003_3N=37
06
121824
2005_2N=79
06
121824
2006_3N=112
06
121824
2007_3N=111
06
121824
2008_2N=88
Total length (cm)0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95100
06
121824
Figure 89. Length frequency compositions of Murray cod recorded each event (year_month)
of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Lake Mulwala. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.
Other titles in the series
I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 73
Other titles in this series:
ISSN 1442-0147 (NSW Fisheries Research Report Series) No. 1 Otway, N.M. and Parker, P.C., 1999. A review of the biology and ecology of the grey
nurse shark (Carcharias taurus) Rafinesque 1810. 36pp. No. 2 Graham, K.J., 1999. Trawl fish length-weight relationships from data collected during
FRV Kapala surveys. 105pp. No. 3 Steffe, A.S., Chapman, D.J. and Murphy, J.J., 1999. A description of the charter fishing
boat industry operating in the coastal and estuarine waters of New South Wales during 1997-98. 33pp.
No. 4 Reid, D.D. and Smith, I.R., 1998. The 1998 Pacific oyster survey. 14pp. No. 5 Walford, T. and Pease, B., 2000. Strategies and techniques for sampling adult anguillid
eels. Proceedings of a workshop held at FRI, Cronulla, Australia, August 1999. 176pp. No. 6 Heasman, M. and Lyall, I., 2000. Proceedings of the workshop held on 3 March 2000 at
the Sydney Fish Markets: Problems of producing and marketing the flat oyster Ostrea angasi in NSW. 57pp.
No. 7 Heasman, M., 2003. Proceedings of the Sydney Rock Oyster Hatchery Workshop held on 8 and 9 August 2002 at Port Stephens, NSW. 164pp.
No. 8 Allan, G.A., 2003. Proceedings of the Aquafin CRC Snapper Workshop held on 26 September 2002 at the Convention Centre, Melbourne (Aquafin CRC 2001/208). 107pp.
No. 9 Faragher, R.A., 2004. Hooking mortality of trout: a summary of scientific services. 9pp. No. 10 Daly, T., 2004. Summary of Proceedings from the Perkinsus Workshop held at the
Cronulla Fisheries Centre on 3 September 2003. 32pp. ISSN 1449-9959 (NSW Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries Research Report Series) No. 11 Baumgartner, L., 2005. Fish in Irrigation Supply Offtakes: A literature review. 22pp. No. 12 Ganassin, C. and Gibbs, P., 2005. Descriptions of the wildlife species that commonly
occur in the marine and estuarine waters of NSW. 88pp. No. 13 Nell, J., 2006. Manual for mass selection of Sydney rock oysters for fast growth and
disease resistance. 57pp + 110pp attachments. No. 14 Gilligan, D. and Rayner, T., 2007. The distribution, spread, ecological impacts and
potential control of carp in the upper Murray River. 25pp. No. 15 Baumgartner, L., 2007. Fish communities of the Nepean River in the vicinity of
Pheasants Nest Weir. 18pp. No. 16 Gilligan, D., 2007. Annual progress report towards achievement of the Lower Murray
Darling Catchment Action Plan 2004 – 2015: Fish Community Monitoring 2005/06. 42pp.
No. 17 Gale, R., Silberschneider, V. and Stewart, J., 2007. A biological and economic assessment of the 2001 change in the Minimum Legal Length (MLL) of snapper in NSW. Report to the NSW Ocean Trap & Line Management Advisory Committee, December 2007. 43 pp.
No. 18 Rowling, K., 2008. Review of ‘Bobbin Gear’ in the NSW Ocean Trawl Fishery. 15 pp. No. 19 Baumgartner, L., Cameron, L., Faragher, B. and Pogonoski, J., 2008. An assessment of
the trout fishery in Oberon Dam and the Fish River. 23pp.
Other titles in the series
74 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23
No. 20 O’Connor, W., Dove, M., Finn, B. and O’Connor, S., 2008. Manual for hatchery production of Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata). 53pp.
No. 21 Gillson, J.P., Scandol, J.P. and Suthers, I.M., 2008. Impacts of freshwater flow on catch rates of estuarine fisheries resources in New South Wales. 66pp.
No. 22 Gilligan, D., 2008. Lower Murray-Darling Catchment Action Plan 2004 – 2016: Fish community monitoring report card for 2006/07. 58pp.
ISSN 1837-2120 (Industry & Investment NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series) No. 23 Ghosn, D., 2009. Data summary from the monitoring of Australian bass and native
fisheries via competition-based angling in NSW: 1988 – 2008. Interim Report. 74pp.