Tara Moriarty
Minister for Agriculture
Minister for Regional New South Wales
Minister for Western New South Wales

Steve Whan
Member for Monaro

MEDIA RELEASE

State's leading trout hatchery to unveil $8.6m upgrades on 13 October Open Day

Tuesday, 1 October 2024

The Minns Labor Government has invested more than $8.6 million in upgrades to the Gaden Trout Hatchery to help futureproof NSW's iconic trout fishing sector and freshwater environment.

The NSW Government is committed to enhancing regional tourism and economic development as well as fostering recreational fishing for everyone.

Gaden Trout Hatchery is one of Australia's main centres for breeding and rearing cold water sport fish. It also plays a key role in conservation of fish and waterways resilience.

Every year the hatchery produces more than three million Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Atlantic Salmon, and Tiger Trout, which are then stocked across NSW to ensure quality fishing opportunities for the hard-core fly fisher to the family holiday line dropper.

On Sunday 13 October, the Snowy community and tourists are invited to come see the new facilities and have some fun at a free Open Day as part of the statewide Gone Fishing Day celebrations.

All recreational fishers are also reminded that the NSW Trout Fishing season re-opens on Saturday 5 October 2024. Anglers much have a current and valid NSW Recreational Fishing license and remind themselves about the fishing rules.

Onsite tours of the newly upgraded hatchery facilities will be on offer, along with fishing workshops hosted by Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development staff as part of the ninth annual Gone Fishing Day.

The Open Day will see a range of activities on offer including:

• fishing workshops
• guided hatchery tours
• fishing demonstrations
• food vans, children's face painting and much more.

Upgrades include a new hatchery featuring hi-tech recirculating aquaculture systems that control water temperatures to allow faster and more efficient fingerling (small young fish) production, management of broodstock, and the inbuild capacity to rapidly rebuild fisheries following adverse environmental impacts such as drought.

In addition to the hatchery upgrades, the education and visitor facilities have been upgraded and expanded to have the hatchery's tourism and recreational fishing education experiences.

The original "Gaden" trout hatchery opened at the site in October 1953 and the complex was named the Gaden Trout Hatchery after Jim Gaden, one of the local pioneers in trout acclimatisation.

The Gaden Trout Hatchery is located on the Thredbo River, 10 km north-west of Jindabyne.

You can register to visit via Eventbrite at DPIRD's Gaden Trout Hatchery Open Day Tickets, Sun 13/10/2024 at 10:00 am | Eventbrite

For more information visit Gaden Trout Hatchery (nsw.gov.au)

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

"The Minns Government is committed to enhancing our research and breeding facilities like Gaden Trout Hatchery, because they play a critical role in regional development and environmental protection. 

"Gaden Hatchery is an iconic place, where our top fisheries staff are breeding millions of trout species that are released into our waterways to provide both environmental and economic benefits to local communities.

"Fishing for trout is a great joy for people as it involves the elements of sport, fund and our beautiful landscape. It also caters to all types of recreational fishers, from the focused specialist to the family holidayer trying it out.

"Gone Fishing Day is a great day on the recreational fishing calendar, and I highly recommend that people take the opportunity to visit the newly upgraded Gaden Trout Hatchery and learn some more about trout and fishing."

Member for Monaro, Steve Whan said:

"The Gaden Trout Hatchery has been closed to the public while upgrades took place, so it is exciting that it's now back and welcoming locals and tourists with open arms to show them the behind-the-scenes secrets of trout breeding and fishing. 

"With the trout river season reopening on 5 October people have another great reason to visit our glorious Monaro region with its rivers, stream, and idyllic surroundings. 

"I encourage everyone to come and visit the great Gaden Trout Hatchery facilities on 13 October and experience the best the Snowy region has to offer."