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500 rainbow larger-than-usual trout have been released in Oberon Dam in the hope the large fish will slow the population growth of redfin.

Ray Tang from the Central Acclimatisation Society helped carry out an experiment in July. “Basically, it’s a pilot release. An experiment to try and combat the prolific redfin. It breeds so prolifically it is known to destroy trout fisheries and any other fishes,” Ray said. Redfin or European perch was named a Class 1 noxious pest by the DPI in 2010. Redfin are also impacting other species of fish in Lake Wallace and Lake Lyell.

“Wallerawang anglers hope to follow in the same footsteps as Oberon. We believe people have introduced them to the lakes when they didn’t know how much danger they actually cause.”

Mr Tang said he hopes the eight-month old trout released will grow to maturity and, due to their large size, place pressure on the dam's redfin population.

For more on this story see the Lithgow Mercury.

More about redfin.

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