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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.

Interim Report – Bass and native fish monitoring via competition-based angling (Ghosn, 2009)

I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23 3

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


4 I&I NSW – Fisheries Research Report Series: No. 23

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



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



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



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



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.



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.



Map 1. NSW rivers and impoundments where events in the current monitoring program

are held.



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).



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Macleay River.



0

50

100

150

200

250

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Year

No.

fish

ing

trip

s (d

ays)


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



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


(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Macleay River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.



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


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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Hastings River.



0

5

10

15

20

25

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Year

No.

fish

ing

trip

s (d

ays)


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.



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


(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Hastings River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.



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)


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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Macleay River.



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)


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.



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


(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.



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





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





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

)


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



bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Williams River.



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)


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.



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


(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.



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





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





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


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



bass recorded for each event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Catch (year_month) over the monitoring period.



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)


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.



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.



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





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





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


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



bass recorded for each event of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River Bass Anglers Interclub Challenge (year_month) over the monitoring period.



020406080

100120140160180

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Year

No.

fish

ing

trip

s (d

ays)


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.



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.



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


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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River.



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)


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



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


(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Shoalhaven River. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.



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


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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clyde River.



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)


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.



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


(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.



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


(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.



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


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



bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam.



0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Year

No.

fish

ing

trip

s (d

ays)


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.



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


(year_month) over the monitoring period in the Clarrie Hall Dam. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.



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.



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


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.



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



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)


all events of the ANSA Catch and Release Convention monitored in Glenbawn Dam.



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


(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.



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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters over the monitoring period in Glenbawn Dam.



0102030405060708090

100

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

Year

No.

fish

ing

trip

s (d

ays)


all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Glenbawn Dam.



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.



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


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.



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)


all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Windamere Dam.



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.



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.



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


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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period of the Lake Yarrunga (Tallowa Dam) Invitational.



020406080

100120140160180

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Year

No.

fish

ing

trip

s (d

ays)


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.



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


(year_month) over the monitoring period for the Lake Yarrunga Invitational (Tallowa Dam). N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.



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)


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


bass recorded for each event (year_month) over the monitoring period in Brogo Dam.



020406080

100120140160180

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Year

No.

fish

ing

trips

(day

s)


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.



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


(year_month) over the monitoring period in Brogo Dam. N equals the total number of fish measured for each event.



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


a) Murray cod; and, b) golden perch for each event (year_month) of the Freshwater Fishing Masters in Lake Mulwala over the monitoring period.



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)


all the events of the Freshwater Fishing Masters monitored in Lake Mulwala.



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.



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.

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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.

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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

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Other titles in the series


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