POTENTIALLY hundreds of dead cod have been found on the banks of the rapidly drying Peel River in recent weeks.
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Farmers and fishers are bracing for an even bigger hit to native river species in the region with a record heatwave inbound.
Piallamore farmer Luke Stass told the Leader he found "about 200 cod at least" around the one kilometre stretch of river on his property.
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"It happened a lot quicker than expected," he said.
"It's quite sad after all the work the fishing clubs have done to restock it.
"It was a pretty healthy ecosystem there with platypus and kingfishers."
There is an extreme heatwave headed to Tamworth this week which could bring four-straight 40-plus degree days.
The river has dried-up significantly since the state government installed a water saving weir near Dungowan to help extend supplies for human consumption.
But this could form a deadly equation for remaining fish in the river.
OzFish North West coordinator Anne Michie said the intense heat could have a dire effect on remaining pools of water.
"It is going to get worse," she said.
"We've got 43 degree days coming, some of those pools will heat up pretty quick.
"And this is just the start of summer."
The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) spokesperson said it had confirmed more than 50 fish had died since the Peel weir was put in.
"The fish kill included 34 Murray Cod, 2 Golden Perch, 18 Eel-tailed Catfish and a number of carp," the spokesperson said.
"The severe drought, ever-diminishing flows along rivers and increasing temperatures over summer are expected to have widespread consequences for native fish populations across NSW this summer, including the Peel river."
Fish rescues had been carried out prior to the weir being established.
Over 2000 native fish have been rescued and relocated since September, in the largest ever fish rescue and relocation program in NSW.
The fish rescue operations are part of the government's statewide drought response strategy aiming to provide a lifeline for key native fish species, which includes hatchery breeding programs and a range of technological interventions to improve water quality (such as mixing and oxygenation).
Anyone who suspects a fish kill event is encouraged to contact the Fishers Watch phone line on 1800 043 536 or visit DPI's website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/report-it