22,283 native fish back in the Murray at Euston (and it’s a big win for the river)

Photo Credit - Euston Club

If you love the Murray — whether it’s for a quiet sunset stroll, a lazy weekend on the bank, or the dream of landing a proper “Murray monster” one day, this is the kind of local initiative that deserves a big shout-out.

On Monday 19 January 2026, the Murray River near at Euston Club Resort got a serious boost, with a native fish release putting fresh numbers back into the system:

• 12,500 Golden Perch

• 9,783 Murray Cod 

That’s 22,283 iconic native fish added to the river in one hit, and it’s not just a feel-good moment for the camera. It’s practical, long-term river care that helps keep our fish populations strong for the future.

A local partnership doing real work

Photo Credit - Euston Club

This release was an initiative between the Euston Club Resort and Tara Native Fish Hatchery, a great example of what happens when local organisations back the river with action, not just words.

Golden perch and Murray cod are two of the Murray–Darling’s best-known species, and they’re a big part of what makes river life here so special for locals, visitors, and the next generation learning to love the water.

Why releases like this matter

Our rivers are tough, but they’re also under pressure from heat, low flows, habitat changes, and everything that comes with modern river management. Restocking efforts like this help to:

• Support healthier native fish populations over time

• Strengthen the river’s ecosystem (native fish play an important role in the food chain)

• Keep recreational fishing thriving, which is part of life (and tourism) along the Murray

• Future-proof the experience so kids growing up here can still know what it’s like to chase a cod or spot a school of goldens in the right conditions

It’s also a reminder that looking after the Murray isn’t just the job of one group, it’s a shared effort. When clubs, hatcheries, communities, and river users all play a part, the river benefits.

The Murray is part of who we are

Photo Credit - Euston Club

This is one of those stories that quietly says a lot about the region: we don’t just enjoy the river, we
invest in it. And if you’ve ever pulled into Euston for a meal, a stay, or a riverfront session, you’ll know how central the Murray is to the whole vibe of the place.

So next time you’re passing through, take a moment on the bank and think about it, thousands of golden perch and Murray cod now out there, growing on, doing their thing, and keeping the Murray’s native story rolling.