The Inland Fisheries Service recently completed an electrofishing survey of the Calder and Inglis Rivers in Northwest Tasmania.

This survey followed the release of around 7,000 wild rainbow trout as part of the egg hatching box trial conducted in Spring last year, which was facilitated under Permit by local volunteers. 

Pleasingly, plentiful rainbow trout fingerlings were found around the release sites. The fish are developing exceptionally well and are now in the 80 – 115 mm size range. This is an exceptional growth rate.

Dispersal of these fish has commenced, with one rainbow trout fingerling found for every 10 m of river around the release sites. 

Several cohorts of brown trout were also located, ranging from last year’s spawning progeny through to adult fish.

Also present in the rivers was an impressive array of native species including grayling, blackfish, eels and multiple species of galaxias. 

On the back of the apparent success of this trial, further use of egg hatching boxes is planned for later in the year.