A rare 22-year-old saratoga has been caught and released at Ewen Maddock Dam, offering a remarkable snapshot of the health of one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular freshwater fishing spots.
The fish – measuring about 77 centimetres – was caught by a local angler recently, and later confirmed to be more than two decades old through genetic testing.
President of Ewen Maddock Fish Management Inc, Justin Gibson, said the find was surprising and encouraging.
“Average lifespan for a saratoga is around 15 years, so 22 years is getting right up there,” he said.
“It would have been stocked into the dam by one of the early stocking groups back in the early 2000s.”
Saratoga are considered a prized and elusive sportfish, often compared to barramundi for their acrobatic jumps and surface-feeding behaviour. Unlike more common species such as Australian bass, they are notoriously difficult to catch, preferring dense reed edges and heavy cover.
“You might catch 100 bass in a session and be lucky to land one saratoga,” Mr Gibson said.
“That alone makes them special – before you even consider their age.”
The fish was caught by a Sunshine Coast angler who also works in marine research. Acting on his own initiative, he took a scale sample and sent it away for genetic testing, which later confirmed the fish’s age.
“That sort of testing isn’t something we routinely do,” Mr Gibson said.
“So to have someone take the time to do that – and then share the data – was fantastic.”
The saratoga was released back into the dam after being caught, which is common practice among anglers.
“They’re not really an eating fish,” Mr Gibson said.
“They’re very bony and slim, and most people target them purely for sport.”
While the discovery doesn’t point to any single environmental factor, Mr Gibson said the fish’s longevity was strong evidence of a healthy and resilient ecosystem.
“It tells us the dam is doing exactly what it should be doing,” he said.
“We’ve got a healthy wetland system, good water quality and fish that are thriving – even after periods where water levels were lowered for dam works.”
He said it also highlighted the long-term success of volunteer stocking programs.
“The work of the current and previous stocking groups has created a sustainable fishery right on our doorstep,” he said.
“It’s something we’re really proud of.”
Ewen Maddock Fish Management Inc is a not-for-profit volunteer organisation responsible for managing fish stocks at Ewen Maddock Dam and Baroon Pocket Dam.
The group is supported through Queensland’s Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) scheme, which requires recreational fishers to hold a permit when fishing in stocked dams. Funds raised through the permits are redistributed to stocking groups across the state.
Because species like Australian bass require brackish or salt water to breed – something dams can’t provide – regular stocking is essential.
In recent weeks alone, the group released about 45,000 Australian bass into Ewen Maddock Dam and about 55,000 Australian bass into Baroon Pocket Dam.
Saratoga, however, are stocked far less frequently due to their cost.
“They can cost between $100 and $140 per fish,” Mr Gibson said.
“Bass cost around 36 cents, so it’s a very different equation.”
Around 400 juvenile saratoga were last stocked into Ewen Maddock Dam in 2021 to strengthen genetic diversity, with further stockings planned every five to six years.
Mr Gibson said finds like the 22-year-old saratoga reinforced the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a freshwater fishing destination.
“We’ve got trophy-sized fish, healthy systems and incredible opportunities for anglers – both locals and visitors,” he said.
“This just confirms that things here are working exactly as they should.”
