The dolphins ironically have been hard to track down in the 1000-hectare estuary with National Parks and Bateman Marine Park rangers not always able to locate them.

But Narooma News journalist Jeanne Medlicott with the help of recreational fisherman last week was able to get close to two adult and juvenile dolphins that entered the lake several weeks ago.

Her photographs have been analysed by dolphin experts who say the erect fins, glossy appearance and feeding activity means they appear to not be in stress.

A National Parks spokesman said there was however some concern for the well being of the dolphins as the lake got busier in the tourist season.

National Parks will soon erect signs warning boaters about the presence of the dolphins and reminding fishers to give the three dolphins plenty of space.

“We’ve made contacts with experts and delivered them a brief so we are better equipped to make a decision, and so far, although cursory, a number of experts are saying they should be fine,” the spokesman said.

Dolphins do live permanently in Myall Lakes north of Newcastle and the situation was not all like the recent situation in Prospect Lake at Ballina were National Parks caught and removed dolphins caught in “what essentially was a muddy pond”.

Retired fisherman Ron Snape of Tilba said he would like to see the dolphins released as they could be stressed by interaction with boats and were no doubt impacting on fish stocks.

It is believed that the dolphins entered the lake system during a high tide sometime last month after the lake was artificially opened by Eurobodalla shire Council.

The dolphin family, two adults and one baby have no way of exiting the lake, as the narrow braided channels at the entrance are not sufficiently deep.

Recreational fisherman Steve Bailey of Tuross Head also is concerned.

“Although the dolphins in Tuross Lake are not impacting on the fish stocks, I think they need to be released for their own welfare’” Mr Bailey said.

Dredging the entrance was not viable and the estuary management committee had previously determined such an operation would run into the millions of dollars.