Local fisherman Darrell Higginbottom pulls monster goldfish from Harvey River

A Harvey fisherman managed to land a monster last week, reeling in an enormous goldfish from the Harvey River.

Darrell Higginbottom managed to hook the pest fish which weighed more than 1kg.

He said it was the first he had been able to catch.

Mr Higginbottom said he was initially targeting redfin perch when he spotted the goldfish swimming slowly past him.

“I made an accurate cast just over its back and managed to jab it with the hook on the lure,” he said.

“It put up a fairly decent fight, better than expected.”

After the battle, Mr Higginbottom took photos of the fish and passed the information on to the Harvey River Restoration Taskforce.

HRRT rivercare officer Jane Townsend said goldfish were fairly common in certain areas of the Harvey River — such as the gentle stream near Stirling Cottage where Mr Higginbottom caught the fish.

However, she said goldfish were invasive and caused significant damage to the submerged ecosystem.

“Goldfish tend to feed along the bottom of waterways and in doing so stir up sediment which can release nutrients into the water column and increased nutrients can lead to algal blooms,” Ms Townsend said.

“They can also be a vector for disease which can lead to declines in native fish populations. They also compete for the same resources as our native species.

“Because many of our waterways have been modified with barriers, weirs and dams, these slow flow conditions tend to favour exotics like goldfish, carp, and other ornamentals. “

After giving an accurate measurement to the HRRT, Mr Higginbottom disposed of the fish.