The Nyngan Fishing RSL Club in collaboration with the Bogan Shire Council are making sure their waterways stay populated with native fish. 

On Tuesday 25 February, they released 22,500 golden perch fingerlings into the Barwon River to keep the native fish from dying out.

Five members of the Nyngan of the Nyngan Fishing Club and four members of the Bogan Shire Council watched the fish swim into their new habitat. 

"If we didn't do this work, there would hardly be any native fish left," Treasurer of the Nyngan Fishing Club Jayson Baytes said.

"Fishing brings tourism here to Cameron Park."

Even with good conditions for the fish to grow and breed, only a third will survive Mr Baytes said. 

"If your system is full of carp, they're just going to gobble those little fellas up." 

On Saturday, the Nyngan Fishing RSL hosted a carp buster which attracted 350 people and led to the capture of 855 carp. 

Everyone chips in to help let the fingerlings go. Photo: Nyngan Fishing RSL.

The numbers are less than half they were last year, likely due to the warm temperatures, said Mr Baytes said. 

On 25 February, the Ministry for Agriculture and Regional NSW announced funding for regional groups stocking native fish in local waters. 

“These fish stocking events will help diversify and enhance our valuable native fishery, increase fishing amenity and support local businesses," NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said. 

“Native fish stocking provides many economic and social benefits, as well as positive environmental outcomes due to the importance of native fish in the landscape.

Applications to stock Australian Bass close 28 March and applications to stock Golden Perch or Murray Cod close 9 May.