The fish, from the Department of Fisheries’ Dutton hatchery, at Ebor, in the New England area, weigh up to 4kg and are three years old, the age at which they have reached their best breeding quality.

The consignment follows a similar operation last year and was carried out in conjunction with the DPI and Oberon branch of the Central Acclimatisation Society, which stocks the district’s streams year-round with almost 40,000 rainbow and brown trout fry and fingerlings from the Dutton hatchery.

Peter Byrom, treasurer of the Oberon branch of CAS, said the fish were in excellent condition and would provide top sport, not only for local fishermen but also for tourists who were increasingly fishing the lake now that facilities were being improved.

Several small rainbows had already been caught and Mr Byrom expects some top-grade fishing in the spring.

“The fish released this week were a credit to the staff at Dutton and reflect the  professionalism they put into their work, not only in caring for their brood stock, but also in  the quality of the young fish they deliver to us every year,” he said.

At the lakeside to welcome the delivery were members of CAS and members of the committee overseeing the improvements to the lake access at The Reef.