Government officials, locals and fishing enthusiasts will gather at Split Rock Dam this Saturday, 20 December, for a meaningful boost to the region’s recreational fishery as Tamworth Fishing Tackle & the Great Outdoors release approximately 15,000 Murray Cod fingerlings into the water between 3 and 4 pm.
The release is part of an ongoing commitment by the local fishing and outdoors store to support sustainable recreational fishing and healthy fish populations across inland NSW.
The fingerlings were purchased from Narrabri Fish Farm, funded through proceeds from a raffle held by Tamworth Fishing earlier this year. The raffle coincided with the first-ever TFT Native Classic competition in March, which has already sold out for 2026 and continues to draw strong community interest.
For the owner of Tamworth Fishing Tackle & the Great Outdoors, Fleetwood Grobler, keeping fish populations high is something that just makes sense.
“Growing up in South Africa, all the dams are kept stocked with Large Mouth American Bass, and it’s just so much fun fishing for them, even the kids get involved,” said Mr Grobler.
“That’s why I’ve always made all our competitions catch and release – let everyone have the opportunity to enjoy fishing, not just a few.”
The initiative aligns with broader efforts to protect and enhance Murray Cod populations across NSW. Following a mandatory seasonal closure from 1 September to 30 November aimed at safeguarding breeding Murray Cod, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development have just encouraged anglers back to inland waters for the reopened fishing season. This conservation approach, paired with stocking programs, has helped improve Cod numbers across the state’s lakes and rivers.
In a statement on the NSW DPI website, Dr Heath Folpp from NSW DPI highlighted that the seasonal closure is an essential protection measure.
“The annual closure, which runs from 1 September to 30 November each year, is a vital conservation measure to protect Murray Cod during their vulnerable spawning period,” Dr Folpp said.
He also emphasised regulations surrounding fishing these large and popular fish.
“We urge all anglers to respect the legal bag and size limits, and to follow all fishing rules to help ensure this treasured native fish is available for future generations,” Dr Folpp said.
“A daily bag limit of two Murray Cod per person and a total possession limit of four applies when fishing in any inland waters.
“Fishers are required to carefully release Murray Cod which are smaller than 55cm, or bigger than 75cm.”
This year’s TFT Native Classic saw anglers pulling in Cod well over 100cm in length, with the largest on record for the 2025 event measuring in at 116.5cm.
“That’s a 40–50-year-old fish!” said Mr Grobler.
When asked how long he expected this weekend’s fingerlings to join the ranks of the larger fish, Mr Grobler said the little ones grow fast.
“Within a year, we should see a noticeable impact from the release,” he said. “They grow up to 40cm very quickly, and then it slows down from there.”
Representatives from NSW Fisheries and Tamworth Regional Council, including Mayor Russell Webb will be in attendance for the release.
Tamworth Fishing Tackle & the Great Outdoors continues to be a hub for local anglers, offering gear, advice and community engagement. Its support for fish stocking initiatives, like the Split Rock Dam release, reflects a growing grassroots movement to blend recreation with conservation.
“We’ve had a great Christmas season so far; it’s been very busy, and it’s great to see locals supporting local businesses. Us small local businesses are the ones that keep putting back into the communities we love, so please keep shopping local where you can!”
With the Murray Cod season now underway and strong community backing, the future looks bright for anglers and the waterways they love.
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