More than 10,000 Rainbow Trout fingerlings were strategically dispersed in fishing hot spots all around the lake — coming all the way from the Dutton Trout Hatchery.

The fingerlings quickly took to their new home, much to the delight of Wallerawang Central Acclimatisation Society (CAS) secretary Ray Tang.

Along with Department of Primary Industries visitors, Tang was only too happy to relieve the live fish transporter of its load and boost the Lake Wallace fish population.

CAS volunteers also released 140,000 Rainbow Fry around the area in mid-September and 112,000 Brown Trout Fry in early October.

The boost coincides with changes to recreational fishing rules in NSW announced by Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson, following extensive consultation and taking into account feedback from thousands of recreational fishers.

“The NSW government has listened to the feedback and issues raised as part of a comprehensive consultation process and as a result, I am announcing a total of 16 changes to bag and size limits and gear,” Hodgkinson said.

“These modest changes will apply to recreational saltwater and freshwater fishers from November 3 and were supported by the majority of people who made submissions.”

The use of ‘Opera House’ type net traps remain illegal east of the Newell Highway.

The Lake Wallace fingerling release is just the first step, with more releases in Lake Lyell, Thompsons Creek Dam, Lake Pillans and Rylstone Dam, and Ben Chifley, Oberon and Wyangala Dams scheduled in the near future, all funded through recreational fishing licence fees.