POOR boat access to Lake Mulwala has been cited as an example of how anglers are being badly treated by authorities that govern fishing in NSW.
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Fishing club leaders from across the Riverina met at Jindera yesterday to air their grievances and provide feedback for the vice president of the Recreational Fishing Alliance of NSW Max Castle.
South West Anglers Association secretary Terry Maloney said government bodies drawing income from boat registration and licences for vessels and fishing were not reinvesting enough in the area.
"It's very frustrating it's not flowing back and a lot is getting siphoned off for other uses which are not in our interests such as administration," Mr Maloney said.
He queried the NSW government funding a pump out station on Lake Mulwala which he said would only aid non-existent houseboats.
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"If the houseboats are coming and there is a need we'll accept that, but right now the greater need is for boat ramps for people like us," Mr Maloney said.
"We need more and better access there, the Victorian side leaves it for dead."
Association committeeman Jim Muirhead, of Finley, said there was also a push to end a ban on fishing in the Murray River between the Yarrawonga weir wall and Tocumwal bridge each September to November.
The prohibition is designed to protect the trout cod and Murray cod but Mr Muirhead said it hurt tourism businesses who could benefit from anglers still being allowed to catch yellowbelly and carp.
He wants the NSW minister to sign off a change which would provide an economic boost following COVID-related losses.
Mr Castle said there was also concern access to public foreshore reserves was being hindered.
He cited the stymieing of a land swap at Lake Hume, at Talmalmo, for an unimpeded route away from farmland.
"We have to become political, which we don't want to be, we just want out to go out and fish," Mr Castle said.
"I've known a lot of the blokes here for 10 or 20 years and they're pulling their hair out."
The alliance is lobbying all political parties in the NSW parliament for support for what it calls the eight Rs to bolster fishing.
They cover restoration, recognition, review, revitalisation, reform, retention, rehabilitation and resilience.
"Everyone living out in the bush is getting ripped off and it's certainly not transparent," Mr Castle said of funding for projects in regional areas as opposed to those along the coast which receive more money.
"These blokes are farmers, they're not expecting gold plating but they just want to be treated fairly.
"They've had enough."
