Murray cod introduced to volcanic crater lake to boost tourism and eat carpBy Josh BrineABC South East SATopic:Fish1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 1:19amLoading...In short:Murray cod up to a metre long have been introduced into Mount Gambier's Valley Lake in SA's south-east.Recfish SA says the release makes the lake an instant "trophy fishery", helping local tourism.What's next?The cod are also expected to prey on the invasive European carp, improving the lake's health.abc.net.au/news/mount-gambier-valley-lake-murray-cod-release/105262726Link copiedShareShare articleHundreds of kilograms of Murray cod have been introduced into a lake in a volcanic crater, creating an instant tourism attraction and helping control pest fish.The pond-grown fish were driven from Griffith, New South Wales, to Mount Gambier, South Australia, and released into the Valley Lake this week.Recfish SA executive officer Asher Dezsery said the fishery was the state's first with cod up to a metre long, making the lake an instant "trophy fishery".The Valley Lake is located next to the Blue Lake on top of Mount Gambier. (ABC South East SA: Bec Whetham)The group has previously released cod fingerlings in South Australian reservoirs, but this time opted for more mature fish."These fish will grow up to 20-30 kilograms ultimately," Mr Dezsery said."People go to the Riverland to catch big fish, they go to Victoria to catch big fish, and now they can come to Mount Gambier to catch big Murray cod that they're proud of."If people can come here and bring their boats, and bring the family, have a barbecue, that's fantastic."Recfish SA's Asher Dezsery helped the cod into the water after their journey from NSW. (ABC South East SA: Josh Brine)Curbing the carp problemBeyond the tourism benefits, the cod will also help control the invasive European carp in the lake."Carp ruin the environment by digging up the bottom," Mr Dezsery said."They increase turbidity, which is cloudiness in the water, and they also have a real impact on native fish by eating juveniles and eggs."Mr Dezsery said the cod would eat juvenile carp and had helped limit the carp population in reservoirs."As it warms up, those carp will continue to spawn, but those cod will just continue to chip away at those juveniles," he said."We hope to see an immediate result in clearer water."The cod were transported to Mount Gambier on the back of a truck in large blue tubs. (ABC South East SA: Josh Brine)Murray Cod Australia's Rachel Guest was on board as the fish were transported to their new home."They're lucky that they're going to be able to spend the rest of their days living in this beautiful lake," she said. "It's such a suitable environment for them."They're going to thrive and they're going to adapt very quickly."Ms Guest said the company released about 1 million cod each year into public waterways. "South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland — we've all got problems with carp," she said."They're going to hopefully give the carp a run for their money in the lake."Recfish SA executive officer Asher Dezsery says the Murray cod must be thrown back by fishers. (ABC South East SA: Josh Brine)Easing pressure on other fisheriesMr Dezsery said with recent algal blooms in water off SA's coast it was important to provide options for freshwater fishing."We want to be providing other options so we're not pressuring those fish stocks over and over," he said.Due to Murray cod being a threatened species, the Valley Lake fishery will be restricted to catch and release fishing."We want to leave them in the water as much as possible, and use lures instead of bait, with barbless hooks where [fishers] can," Mr Dezsery said.ABC South East SA — local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each FridayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted 1h ago1 hours agoFri 9 May 2025 at 1:19amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesPM tells caucus to maintain 'laser-like' focus on voters, as dumped minister Ed Husic a no-showLIVEPhoto shows Anthony Albanese with two fists in the air.Australia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Sussan LeyErin Patterson took son on hour long drive despite feeling sick, murder trial hearsLIVEPhoto shows A digital drawing of Erin Patterson wearing a pink shirtAn energy giant 'drained' this householder's batteryTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows Man wearing baseball cap and khaki green t-shirt standing next to household Tesla batteryIn 10 minutes, Pope Leo XIV told us a lot about himself, and his agendaTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows Newly elected Pope Leo XIV looks up when appears on the balcony at the VaticanRelated storiesProposal to stock Valley Lake with freshwater fish in Mount GambierTopic:Recreational FishingPhoto shows A large lake at the bottom of a tree lined hill.Ecologist confident Murray cod can recover after years of 'insults and injuries'Topic:RiversPhoto shows A Murray Cod held in someones handsTwo years ago Leslie Dam was almost empty, now it's home to 'monster cod'Topic:Fishing and Aquaculture IndustryPhoto shows a man in a black jacket, red hat smiles at camera with cod he just caught. Related topicsEnvironmental ManagementFishFishing and Aquaculture IndustryMount GambierPest ControlRecreational FishingRegional CommunitiesTop StoriesPM tells caucus to maintain 'laser-like' focus on voters, as dumped minister Ed Husic a no-showTopic:Government and PoliticsPhoto shows Anthony Albanese with two fists in the air.Australia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbErin Patterson took son on hour long drive despite feeling sick, murder trial hearsTopic:Law, Crime and JusticeAn energy giant 'drained' this householder's batteryTopic:Energy IndustryIn 10 minutes, Pope Leo XIV told us a lot about himself, and his agendaTopic:Religious LeadersJust InChina criticises Australia over joint exercises in South China SeaTopic:Defence and National Security7m ago7 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:24amHow this understated Aussie's 'unreal' level could upset the Giro favouritesTopic:Road Cycle Racing13m ago13 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:18amDiddy sex trafficking trial closes in on jury selectionTopic:Arts, Culture and Entertainment19m ago19 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 2:12amGetting through Mother's Day if you're struggling with infertilityTopic:Fertility and Infertility34m ago34 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 1:57amMore Just InBack to top