Sadly, millions of snags have been deliberately removed through large-scale desnagging operations across the country since European settlement. But there is hope, OzFish are on a mission to put every one of them back in so our native fish can thrive.

Check out some of the resnagging and fish hotel projects OzFish volunteers have been involved in. If you would like to help make a difference, get in contact with our team today.

Projects

Bundaleer Reservoir, SA 2023

Building on the success of 2021’s activity, volunteers from our Barossa Chapter spearheaded the installation of further habitat structures. At six locations across the reservoir, with support from SA Water’s local team, they deployed fish homes made of large eucalyptus…
VIEW PROJECT Bundaleer Reservoir, SA 2023

Hunter River , NSW 2023

OzFish Unlimited, and partners propose to restore two degraded stretches of the Hunter River through riparian restoration and re-establishment of large woody fish habitat. The project will involve multiple community planting and education events, fish hotel building workshops, and citizen…
VIEW PROJECT Hunter River , NSW 2023

Lake Eppalock, VIC 2023

OzFish Unlimited, Goulburn Murray Water (GMW), North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA), and local anglers are embarking on a vital project to enhance the lake’s habitat. These efforts will ensure the sustainable growth of native fish, mainly the Murray Cod.
VIEW PROJECT Lake Eppalock, VIC 2023

Murray hardyhead

OzFish has received funding to deliver restoration activities that will create critically needed complex habitat to support Murray hardyhead populations. Bringing communities together across the region to help with those efforts is key to the project’s success.
VIEW PROJECT Murray hardyhead

Onkaparinga River, SA

OzFish has taken an innovative approach to restoring submerged habitat in the Onkaparinga River – enhancing the habitat for native fish and other wildlife. Constructed from recycled oak tree stakes and filled with bundles of eucalyptus sticks, the frustas were…
VIEW PROJECT Onkaparinga River, SA

Emigrant Creek, NSW

Located on private land along Emigrant Creek, we are continuing the collective effort to restore the riparian zone, improve fish habitat and prevent bank erosion and turbid water, by restoring another 2km stretch of riverbank. Emigrant Creek is a popular fishing…
VIEW PROJECT Emigrant Creek, NSW

Logan River, QLD

OzFish members know that better fishing needs healthy waters. That is why they are committed to improve the health of the Logan River with fish habitat restoration projects that will be implemented over the next 3 years. OzFish members and…
VIEW PROJECT Logan River, QLD

Warren Reservoir, SA

Since 2021, we’ve been working with SA Water to deliver complex habitat structures for Murray cod and other native species in Warren Reservoir. The project was a first-of-its-kind in the state, and we have been building on its success. The…
VIEW PROJECT Warren Reservoir, SA

Barwon River, VIC

The Barwon River and Estuary flows through the heart of Geelong and is a popular fishing destination from the banks or a kayak, chasing the elusive Estuary Perch and Bream. Flowing down into Lake Connewarre, the Barwon then expands again…
VIEW PROJECT Barwon River, VIC
Vital off-stream waterway

Frenchmans Creek, NSW

Sunraysia OzFish and key stakeholders utilised their collective expertise and equipment to map all woody habitats that are located within two vital off-stream waterways, Frenchman’s creek and Rufus River, which are tributaries to the Murray River.
VIEW PROJECT Frenchmans Creek, NSW

Curdies River, VIC

The Curdies River and estuary is a destination waterway for angling species such as Black Bream and Estuary Perch in south-west Victoria. Being an intermittent estuary, the mouth where the estuary meets the ocean at Peterborough on the Great Ocean Road, can be closed to the…
VIEW PROJECT Curdies River, VIC

Murrumbidgee River, NSW

In a first for Leeton, essential fish habitat in the Murrumbidgee River was recently installed providing vital habitat for native fish. Volunteers from OzFish and Murrumbidgee Landcare worked together to raise funds and plan and install eight giant snags and several…
VIEW PROJECT Murrumbidgee River, NSW

Deniliquin Lagoons, NSW

The Deniliquin Lagoons Community Restoration Project is a state award winning (2015 Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement Award) project with multiple partners contributing to the ongoing management of the wetland system. The project is a community partnership project that has been running…
VIEW PROJECT Deniliquin Lagoons, NSW

Bottle Bend, Mildura, NSW

The Sunraysia River Repair Bus have been undertaking weekly restoration projects within Bottle Bend Reserve alongside members of the committee. The activities have included weed removal, rubbish collection, scientific research with local schools and protecting indigenous artefacts. Supplementary projects that have…
VIEW PROJECT Bottle Bend, Mildura, NSW
TARCUTTACREEKRESTORATION_OZFISHWAGGACHAPTER_JULY2020

Tarcutta Creek, NSW

Tarcutta Creek is a southern tributary of the Murrumbidgee River Catchment had suffered for years. It was when the eroding banks significantly reduced the remaining fish habitat by undermining the overhanging bank vegetation and smothering snags and microhabitats nearby with…
VIEW PROJECT Tarcutta Creek, NSW

Kings Billabong, Mildura VIC

Sunraysia OzFish volunteer’s have been restoring Kings Billabong an iconic site for our local recreational fishers situated close to Mildura, Victoria. OzFish volunteers have spent hours undertaking a native fish habitat restoration project so our native fish can thrive in the…
VIEW PROJECT Kings Billabong, Mildura VIC

Murray River, VIC

Native fish will soon have more areas to rest, shelter, breed and feed with a re-snagging project in the Murray River by OzFish Unlimited Sunraysia Chapter. Dozens of snags of various shapes have been placed into the Red Cliffs reach of…
VIEW PROJECT Murray River, VIC
MURRAY-RIVER-RESNAGGING

River resnagging and fish hotel projects at OzFish involves:

  • Constructing and installing fish hotels
  • Decontaminating and installing terracotta pots and limestone blocks
  • Installing rock reefs
  • Repurposing tree trunks
  • Habitat mapping
  • Monitoring and evaluation activities
  • Running engagement and education events
  • Conducting fish surveys
  • Riverbank stabilisation
  • Woody material collection

Frequently Asked Questions

Snags are wood debris, including trees and branches, that are found in rivers and creeks. The debris falls into the river as a natural part of the tree’s life cycle or from environmental impacts such as winds and flooding. Snags are most effective when they are of different shapes and sizes as they then meet habitat requirements for different species. 

Instream woody habitats contribute to catchment health, biodiversity and support self-sustaining fish populations. 

Fallen tree with branches underwater on lake bottom.

Snags are important for birds, amphibians and native fish that use them as a place to live. Benefits for fish include shelter and protection, a place to breed, a place to rest, ambush sites and feeding grounds for fish who eat algae and macro-invertebrates. These structures also positively impact the river system by creating variability in-depth and flow.  

Less habitat means less fish and fewer fishing opportunities.  

In the past, snags were removed from rivers as it was thought that they had a negative impact on the waterway, resulting in the decline of native fish, with the native fish population now at an all-time low. Some of the misconceptions were that snags reduced the capacity of rivers during flooding, increased erosion, hindered watercraft navigation, and reduced the efficiency of water delivery. These theories were later proven incorrect and now it is important to reverse the loss of this vital habitat by restoring the woody structures. Another problem impacting snags is that native riparian vegetation has been removed from riverbanks. This means that there are fewer natural sources of wood debris to replenish fish habitat. 

Most people would think ‘too easy, let’s just throw some branches into the river’, unfortunately, it is not that straightforward. Resnagging requires science and engineering to ensure that the snags are placed in a way that has maximum ecological benefit. It is also important to consider the type, size and shape of the snags that are used. Placing these heavy structures is no mean feat, often requiring cables and heavy machinery to get them in the right position. 

Resnagging and Fish Hotels benefit fishos as they encourage fish to stay in the area, helping them to grow and thrive. 

Fish hotels is another initiative that is helping the resnagging efforts. They are structures made from a cement base and piled with wooden sleepers. Several of them put together creates an artificial reef and attracts an array of fish. Again, they provide feeding grounds and protection for smaller fish. They are called fish hotels as the fish only stay for short periods of time before growing stronger and moving downstream.

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At OzFish we are incredibly proud of the river resnagging efforts undertaken by so many of our OzFish volunteers, our fish need more help to recover now more than ever. And you can help.

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