Mitchies Jetty, Fishpen Road, Merimbula

In the early 1920's a fisherman named Ernie Wills fished for salmon in Merimbula Bay. He would row his wooden boat out over Merimbula Bar, set his net around a school of salmon, then haul the fully laden net behind the boat back to a ‘pen’ where the salmon would await transport to Melbourne. He would row out to sea on the outgoing tide and complete the netting of the catch in time to take advantage of the incoming tide.

Downstream and closer to the entrance to the lake was a small jetty and wooden hut which was built to house Ernie's fishing gear and nets.

In the late 1920's a fisherman by the name of Don Mitchelson from Lakes Entrance arrived in Merimbula, and fished for a time with Ernie. He also courted and married Ernie's sister-in-law, Edna Dunn. They had two children, Elizabeth (Betty) and Donny. The Dunn family originally owned the large area of land now occupied by South Haven & Tween Waters Caravan Parks. Hence the street names: Dunn's Lane and Elizabeth Street.

Don bought Ernie's boats some time later, and set up his own fishing business. He had two ‘pens’ near the entrance to the lake plus the original one in the corner at the southern end of the causeway. It is said that if you wanted to catch a fish from the pen, Don would supply the line and charge sixpence for each fish caught.

In the 1940s a new shed and jetty were built on the Fishpen site nearer the entrance and Don continued to fish for salmon and blackfish.

In 1978 Don (affectionately known as ‘Mitchie’ and then aged 72) suffered a heart attack whilst fishing. His body was found in his boat.

Mitchies colourful Jetty and Shed is today one of the most photographed locations on the NSW South Coast.