Murrumbidgee to get snagged

In a first for Leeton, and the Muruimbidgee River, volunteers from the OzFish MIA Chapter are about to install new homes for native fish in the Murrumbidgee. The project will see up to 8 large snags installed at key sites within the Murrumbidgee river, providing vital new homes for fish.

Historically millions of snags were removed from the Murray-Darling Basin after European settlement. Now local volunteers are pulling together to reinstall the woody habitat and reinvigorate the local ecosystem and is made possible by the OzFish-Landcare NSW partnership with funding support from the NSW Recreational Fishing Trusts.

Paul Smith, who is the President of OzFish MIA Chapter said it is both vital and rewarding work.

“The Bidgee Classic Fishing Competition volunteers have been working towards this since we started,” Stated Mr Smith.

“With funds raised we have been actively undertaking restocking programs and releasing native fish into the system. However, these snags will take our sustainable approach to another level by given them homes to naturally do their thing.”

“Our native fish are going to love these snags. They’ll use them to rest in during the day and anything that’s interesting that swims past they will ambush as that’s their natural feeding behavior.  

“Every good angler knows snags are great places to fish,” said Mr Smith.

OzFish Project Manager for the Murray-Darling Basin, Braeden Lampard agreed.

“Snags play a major role in our native fish life cycle. Fish use snags to stop and rest from fast flows and as a place to breed and shelter. They also provide a great source of food.”

“By adding snags back into our waterways we’re helping these native fish thrive. This project will be a winner for fish and fishing for the local Leeton community.”

“There have been many supporters to get this project off the ground. The Leeton Shire Council has provided the logs. We’ve also teamed up with Murrumbidgee Landcare through the NSW Landcare OzFish Partnership and we’ve received further support from the Department of Primary Industry’s Recreational Fishing Trust and BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing. All of this in addition to funds raised by locals at the annual Bidgee Classic Fishing Competition”

“The community should be very proud of what they’ve been able to achieve together,” said Braeden.

In addition, Leeton MIA OzFish have applied for funding to value-add to their environmental projects. If successful, there will be more large woody habitat installed, native vegetation planted, and willow trees controlled along the Murrumbidgee river.

The annual Leeton Bidgee Classic is also held each year in March which attracts hundreds of anglers, encourages sustainable fishing practices and raises funds for community projects.

If you would like to know more about some of our resnagging efforts in the region click here.