Ross River Dam opening date set as mackerel stocks bounce back

Fishos in Townsville are licking their lips as the Ross River Dam is set to open up for shore-line casting, Eddie Riddle writes.

Ian Moody of Ian Moody Sportfishing says the Ross River Dam is a barra mecca just begging to be fished - starting Monday for landbased anglers.

SPANISH MACKEREL STOCKS in Queensland are claimed to no longer rate at historically low levels.

A most recent assessment by Fisheries Queensland shows positive signs of recovery, with the latest stock biomass figures at a median of 34% of unfished levels – up from a widely disputed 17% call by fisheries experts just a few years ago.

Remaining a favourite among recreational fishers for both its sporting and superb table qualities, Spanish mackerel is also recognised as a key species for commercial fishers.

Fisheries Queensland used data from boat ramp surveys, recreational catch reports, and other sources, including a unique survey of retired commercial fishers, in an effort to understand the health of mackerel stocks and associated shark depredation issues.

These latest assessment results will guide future management, with advice from the Sustainable Fisheries Independent Panel and working groups.

MEANWHILE, LOCAL ANGLERS are itching for the winds to ease and seas to settle as an early run of inshore Spanish mackerel beckon.

Cape Cleveland’s Salamander Reef, Magnetic Island shoals and the Rattlesnake Island group all gave up surprising catches of mackerel throughout recent weeks and preceding the current blow.

It is not unrealistic to expected that the mackerel will continue to frequent the same areas and delight anglers during the next calm spell.

Accordingly, local tackle stores have been busy sourcing the freshest possible garfish and wolf herring baits while specialised trolling rigs for all manner of baits will be swinging from store walls.

Lures to consider when trolling for these early-season Spanish include the Halco Laser Pro series in a variety of depth models, Nomad brand minnows and the Samaki Pacemaker.

Old school mackerel enthusiasts might sway the way of Rapala CD minnow style lures or even favour trolling spoons like the Huntington Drone while using cord line and Bowden cable configurations.

Riley Christensen caught this 85cm barra while fishing in the Elliot River - the fish previously tagged and released into Black Weir - Photo: Suntag Australia.

BOWEN’S RYNN’S SEAFOODS is taking action, the family with a strong commercial fishing background plating up crumbed or battered shark and chips for customers of their Bruce Highway store.

With all the well-substantiated hoo-ha surrounding the ever-increasing shark depredation problem within North Queensland waters, the store owners are seen by many as being proactive in reinstating shark as a viable commercial fishery.

Shark depredation is the situation when a hooked or netted fish is eaten or damaged by one or more sharks before the fish can be brought on board or landed.

Rynn’s Seafoods is putting the bite back on the sharks when offering an old-fashioned takeaway meal of flake and chips – for a limited time, at an equally old-fashioned price of just 10 bucks.

Diners could be forgiven for thinking that they’ve stepped back in time when they enhance their generous piece of flake with complimentary tartare sauce and perhaps a squeeze of lemon.

What a great initiative! Call in to Rynn’s on your way past the southern outskirts of Bowen.

WHILST THE ROSS RIVER DAM opens to recreational fishers eager to wet a line from the impoundment’s shores this Monday May 12, the Townsville City Council invites anglers to an official celebratory opening next Sunday 18 May.

From 9am Councillors Kristian Price and Brady Ellis will host the festivities including a free sausage sizzle and giveaways with Cr Ellis expected to do time with the barbeque tongs.

It is understood that a licence or SIP (Stocked Impoundment Permit) would not initially be required to fish within the dam, yet once officially included by Fisheries Queensland in the state’s stocked impoundment program, a SIP will become a requirement for all anglers over 18 years who wish to fish in the dam.

The opening of the dam to recreational pursuits follows years of lobbying by anglers and groups, including the Townsville Barramundi Restocking Group.

As promised, the opening is staged affair with landbased anglers initially allowed to do their thing at a designated fishing spit before boaties get their chance at a currently undetermined date, one that will not precede the installation of infrastructure including a boat ramp.

Spanish mackerel like this metre-long fish recently caught by Coen Riddle beckon anglers within local waters.

THE VALUE OF FISH STOCKING and fish tagging was undeniably apparent following the recent capture of a barramundi by a young man while fishing in the Elliot River, Guthalungra, North of Bowen.

Riley Christensen might have considered himself a lucky angler when he measured a fine 85cm barramundi on Tuesday April 29, but this wasn’t just any ordinary barra though.

The fish sported a tag – one that identified a previous interaction with the human kind.

That interaction was with a member of the Townsville Barramundi Restocking group who, a staggering 2,208 days earlier, had released a 25cm long barramundi into the Ross River’s Black Weir.

That little barramundi was one of many released immediately following the record 2019 Townsville flood event and throughout that near 6-year time at liberty, had grown a further 60cm.

Suntag Australia confirm that the barramundi not only negotiated the Ross River’s three weirs, it also found its way 255 kilometres down the coast finding its way around Cape Cleveland, Cape Bowling Green and the Burdekin’s Cape Upstart.

Now that’s some journey, particularly for a barra.

BIG, SUCCULENT MUD CRABS remain abundant throughout local estuary systems, and for those who enjoy snaring these delicious crustaceans, now is the time to make the most of it.

With the northern winter fast approaching, crab numbers are expected to dwindle in the coming weeks.

While many anglers report having to sift through plenty of undersized or empty crabs, the effort has been paying dividends.

Ian Moody of Ian Moody Sportfishing says the Ross River Dam is a barra mecca just begging to be fished - starting Monday for landbased anglers.

It’s not unusual to hit the 7-crab bag limit, or indeed the 14-crab boat limit, in a single tide.

Last weekend, Cocoa Creek and the Barrattas Creek systems produced excellent hauls, while the Ross River yielded some solid muddies during the evening tides.

This mud crab bonanza may carry through into May, but beyond that, catches are likely to become less reliable.

As seasoned crabbers will testify, “The best months for crabbing are the ones with an ‘R’ in their spelling.” If you follow that wisdom, it might be wise to let the pots rest over the next few months.

“IT’S NEVER BEEN EASIER to spoil Mum this Mother’s Day,” says Pat Dass, owner and manager of local fishing retailer, Fishing Warehouse.

“Why not take her fishing?” he joked.

While breakfast in bed and a bunch of flowers remain classic gestures, Dass says there’s a growing trend of families heading out for a day on the water to celebrate.

“More and more women are embracing fishing, and we’ve seen a noticeable rise in tackle sales around Mother’s Day.

Not long ago, most of us wouldn’t dream of casting a line on the day — now, it’s becoming part of the celebration”

The store has embraced the trend, stocking a special range of gear just for the occasion.

“We’ve got pink rods and reels, pink fishing line, pink lures — even fishing outfits in Mum’s favourite colours.

“It’s all about making the day fun and memorable,” Dass added.

Here’s to all the incredible women in our lives — Happy Mother’s Day!

Originally published as Ross River Dam opening date set as mackerel stocks bounce back