Australian Fish Farms, Fishing Ponds for Trout, Salmon, Barramundi, Murray Cod, Native Fish, Yabbie, Redclaw, Mud crabs

Fish farming in Australia is mostly focused on breeding fish for re-stocking streams, rivers and lakes and for cage and pond based commercial fish production. Most of the initial farms were trout and salmon farms developed to support the introduction of these exotic species into cool-water streams and lakes in Victoria, new South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.This has expanded recently to include farms for breeding and rearing of juvenile native fish for stocking rivers and lakes for recreational fishing.

Most fishing in Australia is focus on natural habitats including rivers, lakes estuaries and marine area rather than on fishing ponds which are stocked for fishing. However many of the fish farms also offer fish-out facilities where you can fish in well stocked ponds and either take home the catch or have it prepared for you for lunch or dinner at the facility.

The wide variety of fish farms throughout Australia also offer tours of their facilities where you can learn about the breeding, rearing and grow-out activities for the species bred at the farms. These species bred includes include Trout, Salmon Prawns, Yabbie, Marron, Yabbies and Redclaw crayfish, Abalone, Seahorses, Crocodiles, Various aquarium species, Tuna, Barramundi, Yellowtail Kingfish, and various native fish species such as Murray Cod, Australian Bass, Snapper, Mulloway, Black Bream,Golden Perch, Eels and Silver Perch.

Some example of the fish farms in Australia are:

Captive Breeding of Seahorses in Victoria, South Australian and Tasmania. Seahorses, are in demand for the world-wide Aquarium Trade, the Traditional Herbal Medicine Market, and for use as curios.

The Australian Rainbow Trout Farm is situated only a short drive of about one hour from inner-city Melbourne, in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Victoria. This farm offers fishing for trout in ponds with all the gear and lures provided, and the helpful staff also offer tuition for spinning and for fly-fishing. Their ponds are stocked with adult size rainbow trout and there are many 1 - 3 kg trout in their graded ponds. You can also catch Atlantic Salmon, from 1 to 3kg in size in a special pond. You can enjoy a picnic or BBQ in their beautiful parkland setting. The very reasonable entry fee covers use of all the park facilities, quality fishing rods and bait, and assistance form the staff to help you catch your fish.

The 41° South Salmon and Ginseng Farm is located in Deloraine in Tasmania. It has extensive ponds and wetland areas and is renowned as one of the best inland, freshwater fish farms in Australia. The farm was reclaimed from gorse and willow and infested wasteland scrub in 1998. The farm now consists of delightful patchwork of freshwater ponds, wetland grasses, dykes, wetlands, lowland marshes and fens set out along the western creek waterway. The wetland areas were created to attract and support a wide variety of birds, and it is used as a natural biofilter for processing the waste and nutrients from the salmon farm.

Golden Ponds is Recreational Fishing Park, located in Baldivis, Western Australia and luxury Function Centre that is an ideal venue for receptions, banquets, conventions or corporate venues. Golden Ponds is a commercial marron (freshwater crayfish) and finfish farm set on 100 acres of land that is surrounded by stunning lakes used for recreational fishing. The more than 50 man-made ponds of various sizes produces a variety of species including marron, black bream, silver perch, barramundi and trout. The farm occupies about 65 acres of lush green pasture and beautiful ponds. Golden Ponds offer a beautiful variety of seafood for sale including with crayfish, silver perch, black bream, snapper, trout and barramundi available live on the premises. The Golden Ponds Hatchery has been specially constructed and developed to house much sought-after species such as snapper, silver perch, black bream, barramundi, marron and trout. In the near future, the famous King George whiting will also be available at Golden Ponds.

AquaVerde Crayfish is a family fish farming business located on the beautiful Atherton Tablelands areas, inland from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. In their extensive pond system they grow the native Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) which is renowned throughout the world as one of the premier aquaculture species yet discovered. Redclaw is a fantastic freshwater crayfish with a beautiful appearance, that has very delicate white meat with a firm texture, that slips easily from the tails. The farm sells live crayfish to local, interstate and world-wide customers. They also supply crayfish products to locals and tourists who visit to learn about the farming processes. You can buy fresh and frozen crayfish products directly from the farm.

Aquablue Seafoods Native Fish Hatchery supplies juvenile fish fingerlings to the general public, councils, fishing clubs and farm dam owners is located at Pindimar in New South Wales. The farm specialises in native fish such as Golden Perch, Silver Perch, Australian Bass and a variety of crustaceans such as Yabbies (freshwater crayfish) and Shrimps. They also produce aquarium species such as Gudgeons, Bullrouts, Mussels, Pacific Blueyes, Glass Shrimp. They also supply premium table fish to specialist shops and exclusive restaurants.

The Australian Farmed Barramundi Industry began in the mid 1980s and has increased to about 100 licensed farmers. Barramundi is farmed in ponds, cages, and tanks in all states of Australia except Tasmania and ranges from pond culture to intensive indoor re-circulation systems in tanks. Most of the barramundi is farmed outdoor in fresh water pond operations, in Northern Territory and North Queensland. Recently a number of operators have grown barramundi in salt water ponds.

Bluewater Barramundi is one of the first licensed commercial sea cage facility located in the beautiful waters of the Hinchinbrook Channel, North Queensland. Sea cages are also used for farming salmon and trout in Victoria ad Blue-fin tuna in South Australia.The cage farmed barramundi is of premium taste and quality, and sold as a premium grade to the restaurant trade.

The Tarzali Lakes Aquaculture Centre in Queensland includes over 40 acres of lush rolling pastures and 16 ponds in a picturesque landscape. The farm has over 500,000 fish including variety of species - Barramundi, Jade Perch, Golden Perch, Red Claw (tropical freshwater crayfish) and Eels. Recreational fishermen are welcome to fish in the ponds and a good catch is guaranteed.

EcoPark Fishing World offers superb Pond-based Fishing for the whole family. You are guaranteed to catch one of their trophy fish from the ponds. Anglers are require to release the fish back into the water after being photographed. Visitors can learn various types of fishing from bait fishing, using spinners and the delicate art of fly fishing. At Ecopark Fishing World there are literally thousands of fish to be caught with the ponds filled with Barramundi, Sooty Grunter, Barcoo Grunter, Silver Perch, Saratoga, Australian Bass, Eel tailed catfish, Golden Perch (or Yellow Belly) and Murray Cod. Their catch and release policy ensures that the huge fish can be caught by the visitors.

The Salmon Ponds, circa 1861, located in Plenty, Tasmania, is the renowned as oldest operating trout hatchery in the entire Southern Hemisphere, as well as Australia. It was here that trout farming began in Australia and was largely responsible for the development of Tasmania’s legendary and world-famous trout fishery. Trout bred and raised at the hatchery were stocked into streams, rivers and lakes in the district. Take a walk back in history on a tour through the hatchery, historic buildings and fish ponds. The facilities are set in a beautiful landscaped gardens showcasing the original 19th century English style open space areas with superb trees, hedges and lawns.