Quote Originally Posted by away View Post
G'day Bill

Australia is a very dry continent and as such, has few permanent water sources. The fish that have evolved in inland parts have to be very specialist, including being able to survive buried in mud when the river or lake dries completely. The fish that are most successful at this seem to always be small and bony.

That said, we have a few major rivers and some nice eating and catching species evolved in them. One that immediately came to mind, when I read your question about whether we have fish similar to Crappies, is the Golden Perch (Macquaria ambigua). This fish is also known as Callop, Yellowbelly and Murray River Perch. It is a great fighter and has been successfully raised in aquaculture facilities so that the fingerlings can be used to re-stock rivers and dams.

Unfortunately for me, these fish live in the "other half" of Australia - and I don't. Most of Australia's population live on the coast, so saltwater fishing predominates. I am extremely lucky to live right on the banks of a river, about 500 metres from where the river meets the Indian Ocean. So, I am becoming an estuary specialist. My river is tidal and can vary in depth from 0.3 metres (1 foot) to 6.0 metres (19') over a six hour period, and then empty out again in the same amount of time. It makes for very interesting fishing.

Edit: Barramundi are a bit hit and miss as an eating fish. They must go to the freshwater reaches of rivers as a part of their breeding cycle. During their time in freshwater their eating quality suffers badly. After being in saltwater for a time, the eating quality improves. I, personally, am not a great fan, and I tend to release all that I catch. I don't know if you have the saying over in the States, but over here any fish that you catch that is of dubious eating quality is known as a "neighbour fish." That is, you catch it, then give it to your neighbour. Barramundi are in that class.

Cheers

Russ
Thanks Russ. I've got to remember that "neighbour fish".