It's not a sight anyone wants to see when they head out to Carcoar Dam to wet a line or have a swim, but visitors that did so last Sunday were greeted by hundreds of dead Redfin Perch lining the banks of the dam.
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Nikki Davis had taken the trip out to the dam - south of her home at Orange - to take the kids for a swim, but that idea was quickly abandoned.
"We decided against it when we saw all the dead fish," she said.
"There were thousands dead or dying, all along the banks and the dam wall. Mostly Redfin, from what I could tell."
A spokesperson for NSW Department of Primary Industries said they have received reports of fish deaths at Carcoar Dam.
"Reports include hundreds of dead fish, with the introduced Redfin Perch reported as the only species affected," the spokesperson said.
"DPI Fisheries continue to investigate the incident."
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News that Redfin Perch is the only affected fish should hearten local anglers considering in late 2021 25,000 fingerlings were added to the dam and in July last year 300 mature trout were released.
Community members are encouraged to report any fish deaths or observations through the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536.
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