Quick Facts
Distribution
![Freshwater Herring Distribution](https://marinewise.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/australia_distribution_inland-10.png)
Interesting Info
- The freshwater herring is endemic to the eastern coast of Australia, from the Murray River in Victoria to the Mary River in Queensland.
- It has a slender, elongated body, which is typically blue-grey in colour with a silver underbelly. The species is sexually dimorphic, meaning that males and females have different physical characteristics. Males are generally larger and have a more pronounced snout.
- The Australian river herring feeds on small invertebrates and plankton, which it filters from the water using its gill rakers.
- The species is known for its unique breeding behaviour, which involves a migratory spawning run up rivers and streams.
- Their lifespan is estimated to be around 5-6 years.
Species Interaction
Recreational & Commercial Fishing
Freshwater Herring are commercially fished in some areas of Australia, particularly in estuarine environments where they are abundant. They are primarily caught using commercial fishing nets, including gill nets and seine nets. They are also a popular recreational fishing species with lots of novice fly fishers practicing their skills on them.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Clupeiformes
Family: Clupeidae
Genus: Potamalosa
Species: Potamalosa richmondia
Conservation Status
The Australian river herring is listed as “Least Concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means that the species is not considered to be at risk of extinction or facing significant threats to its population.
Fish Taste Quality
Freshwater herring are considered to be good table fare by many people. They have a mild, delicate flavour and firm, white flesh that is well-suited for grilling, baking, or frying.
Taste Rating: 3/5
How to catch
Freshwater Herring
Catch Difficulty: Easy
Tackle: Floater Rig, Artificial Rig
Bait: Bread, Lures, Prawns, Worms, Flies
Technique: Slowly sink bait towards bottom, Cast bait/jig/lure near schooling fish
Popularity: Targeted