As summer sets in and the days stretch out, Townsville City Council has extended operating hours for recreational fishing at the Ross Dam.
Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the recreational fishing spit had been a reel hit with local anglers since its opening in May this year.
"Stage 1 of recreational use of the Ross Dam has been as popular as I envisaged, with keen anglers chomping on the lure to chance their luck at catching that elusive metery," Cr Dametto said.
"As summer sets in we're seeing temperatures nearing 30 degrees by 8am, not to mention higher UV levels.
"That's why it's critical that come these hotter summer months Council is extending the opening hours to 5:30am – 7pm so people can fish comfortably from the recreational fishing spit in the early hours of the day, right into the evening."
Divisional councillor Kristian Price said it had been great to see people getting out and active at the Ross Dam and reminded the community to ensure that they stayed within the designated fishing zone when casting a line.
"It really has been great to start realising the recreational potential of the Ross Dam in recent months, after years of engagement, lobbying and planning," Cr Price said.
"For the safety of those fishing, and the health of our city's primary water source, we just want to remind the community that at this stage fishing is only permitted on the designated spit and within the nominated opening hours.
"We have recently been seeing cases where people are climbing rocks and even the spillway to cast a line – which goes without saying is extremely dangerous and could result in injuries, or worse.
"While we've been successful in getting Stage 1 of recreational use of the dam out of the water, we want to make sure everyone is doing the right thing to show that stages 2 and 3 are possible."
Councillor Dametto said he was eager to see the full recreational use of the Ross Dam and surroundings realised and urged the community to make sure the facilities and city's water source were being respected.
"We need to make sure that when it comes to getting further stages of recreational use across the line, hopefully sooner rather than later – the community have highlighted not only a need, but made a point to utilise the space we do have, properly."
Council reminds the community that it is not advisable to eat fish caught in the Ross Dam due to high levels of Blue-green algae.
Between December and February, the designated recreational fishing area at the dam will be open from 5:30am to 7pm, seven days a week.
