queensland Need Help Identifying Fish - Brisbane River

[Carl of Arabia]

Hello users, 

My mate and I have been catching these fish in the Jindalee portion of the river, specifically the boat ramps next to the Jindalee Bridge and on Mt. Ommaney drive. I assume it's some species of Perch; however, I'm not entirely certain.

All help appreciated,

Carl of Arabia

[ellicat]

It's a puttynose perch, I think -

https://www.australianfishing.com.au/forum/topic/44148-what-is-this-fish/

 

or a river perch/little jewfish

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/fish-identification-information/fish-species-guide/fish-species-id-info/profile?fish-id=river-perch

[Carl of Arabia]

@ellicat

Thank you, much appreciation.

It seems as though they've only just started spawning near Jindalee, or they've been stocked, due to the fact that these Perch are more commonly caught then Catfish.

[ellicat]

They used to be very common throughout the river with many old reports of people catching sugar bags full.

They seem to have made somewhat of a come back in recent times with reports of catches throughout the river becoming more popular. @benno573 and I regularly catch both species I mentioned in the lower reaches.

 

[Drop Bear]

14 hours ago, Carl of Arabia said:

@ellicat

Thank you, much appreciation.

It seems as though they've only just started spawning near Jindalee, or they've been stocked, due to the fact that these Perch are more commonly caught then Catfish.

Fantastic news. Great to hear they may be making a come back. 

[Drop Bear]

I have not caught one. @ellicat I might try your spot at Kangaroo point for one this week. Bit of fun. 

[benno573]

We don’t have a spot at kangaroo point... and I’m not telling you the actual spot!

 

while they have no legal size or bag limit, best to release to allow the stocks to continue to recover. Not much of a fillet off them anyway - max size is about 25cm.

[ellicat]

They're not really worth targeting. A very timid bite and the fight is like a very small clump of mud.

[Drop Bear]

ok cool. Still I want to catch a fish I have not caught before.

[Old Scaley]

I can’t remember what time of the year it was, but last year they were schooled up in front of the tug station at Port of Brisbane. There was a little group of boats pulling them in hand over fist.  I did mention it in a post but I can’t find that now.

[Drop Bear]

8 hours ago, Old Scaley said:

I can’t remember what time of the year it was, but last year they were schooled up in front of the tug station at Port of Brisbane. There was a little group of boats pulling them in hand over fist.  I did mention it in a post but I can’t find that now.

Yes I think I remember you saying. I hope they give them bag and size limits. 

[jred1]

River perch, not bad chewing in a larger size but haven't really seen them above 30cm , I let them go though and normally move if i start hooking in to them but normally catch them in jewfish and threadfin producing spots if that helps.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

16 minutes ago, jred1 said:

River perch, not bad chewing in a larger size but haven't really seen them above 30cm , I let them go though and normally move if i start hooking in to them but normally catch them in jewfish and threadfin producing spots if that helps.

Hi jred1

Yep, River Perch it is. They are more commonly caught in Winter. Like said above by ellicat, they fight like a clump of mud on most gear (they do have very fiesty head shakes though). 

Cheers Hamish  

[Drop Bear]

Do they make live bait options? 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

1 hour ago, Drop Bear said:

Do they make live bait options? 

Hi Drop Bear

While I've never tried, it doesn't seem many tings eat them - prawns, mullet, herring, and silver biddies are a better option.

I have seen people using them as well catching nothing. 

Cheers Hamish