Fish kills are a devastating endpoint of an accumulation of stresses on fishes. They become particularly evident when they involve large, iconic species such as Murray cod. Given the repeated history and increasing frequency of fish kill events, fish kills will continue to occur. While we focus on these ‘crises’, however, there is a greater untold story that needs attention. The reality is that the rivers and native fish populations of the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB) are in dramatically poor shape. In 2004, native fish populations were estimated at 10% pre-European levels- and this is likely now to be lower. Carp dominate the fish communities. A staggering 47% of MDB species are considered threatened and we appear to have had the first MDB fish extinction (Yarra Pygmy Perch). Trends indicate that the MDB is currently not sustainable for its fish populations. We are watching the systemic failure of the MDB riverine ecosystem and its management. There is enormous public support for MDB fishes, which have enormous cultural, economic, recreational and social values in addition to those of biodiversity. Recreational angling is a highly popular pastime, particularly in regional rural MDB communities where it contributes over $1.3 B per annum to economies. We need to recover them!! We know how to do this. We will spend $13 B on the Basin Plan; we now need to spend a realistic amount on other actions to complement and support the use of environmental water. A sufficiently funded Basin-wide Native Fish Recovery Management Strategy can do this.