The Narrandera Fishing Club successfully carried out their 2025/26 fingerling release of approximately 16,600 golden perch (yellowbelly) fingerlings at Narrandera and Buckingbong Reserve boat ramps on Monday 19 January, with the assistance of 21 locals which included 13 children.

All participants took great delight in releasing the fingerlings - one participant was overheard talking with his lot, saying that they will ‘catch up’ with them in a couple of years after they gain a bit more size and weight.

It is to be noted that this event is only possible with the generosity and assistance of the local residents of Narrandera, who support the club’s weekly raffle which is held at the Charles Sturt Hotel every Thursday evening commencing at 6pm.

It is from the profit of the raffles that covers the cost of the fingerlings. The NSW government is currently offering $2 for every $1 that the club puts forward, so with the local Fishing Club contributing $4000, the NSW government donated $8000, totalling $12,000, which is a very generous gesture on behalf of all concerned.

So a big shout out firstly to the NSW Department of Fisheries for their continued support of the local Fishing Club and also to the NSW state government for their financial input within the Narrandera community.

All children who participated were given a new fishing rod and reel to mark the event, compliments of the local Fishing Club and Moses and Son (club sponsors).

Each recipient will spent many joyful hours using their new rod to catch that allusive big one; think of all the stories that are awaiting to be experienced and to be told with the ‘one that got away’ or the ‘you should have seen the size of that one that I caught and then released - she was a beauty’.

The club would like to thank FM91.1 Spirit FM radio station and the Argus newspaper for their continued support of the Fishing Club and the canvassing of the various events that are run by the club.

It is only with their help and support that make things happen; so thank you.

The Fishing Club are already planning their next fingerling release which will occur in January 2027, and the members of the public will be advised accordingly.