Fishing Report – June 14, 2018

Weather conditions are still poor and limiting reports

ANGLESEA

» Still some pinkies being reported
» Reports of flathead and whiting but not in numbers
» Reports of salmon continue at most local beaches.

BARWON HEADS

» Reports of pinkies continue
» Some reports of gummy sharks
» Flathead are still being caught as well offshore
» Reports of some whiting, trevally and salmon offshore and in the river.

LORNE

» The weather has been great for fishing recently with good size snapper still being caught by the boat load
» Big school sharks and gummies are also plentiful
» Flathead have been patchy with the odd big yank being boated
» King George whiting have also been patchy but if you’re patient enough you will get a feed.
» The salmon schools have disappeared but Southern Bluefin Tuna are popping up out on the 70-metre line with the odd one getting caught
» The pier has been fishing well with grass whiting, salmon, mullet, snapper and calamari in good numbers.

Thanks to the Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club.

TORQUAY

» Still reports of whiting along with a good number of pinkies being caught offshore
» Reports of good salmon catches continue
» Good numbers of gummy shark have been reported
» Flathead reports are still coming in but seem to have slowed down a bit
» Spring Creek is producing some bream.

Remember Torquay Tackle and Sports. For all the best available advice in Torquay on tackle and bait, drop in and see Ross or Josh. They will do their best to ensure you get the most up-to-date information available. Phone 5264 8207.

QUEENSCLIFF

» St Leonards, reports of whiting, squid, pinkies and flathead
» Indented Head has reports of whiting, squid and a few flathead
» Swan Bay has flathead, King George whiting and salmon reported
» Point Lonsdale pier has salmon, whiting and the odd trevally continuing » The White Lady has reports a few squid and whiting
» The creek is producing a few trevally and salmon.
» The creek continues to produce a few trevally and salmon.

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TROUT fishing is booming in Victoria but now is the time to give our rivers a break to let the wild fish spawn.

This time of year, our lakes and impoundments are firing, with recent reports that brown trout and rainbows have turned on in most of our lakes.

Some of the most productive trout-fishing lakes recently have been Lake Purrumbete and Lake Eildon where anglers have been landing stocked brown trout between one and six kilograms using a variety of methods.

Don’t forget some of the waterways closer to Melbourne such as Lauriston Reservoir and Hepburn Lagoon offer great fishing too.

Recreational anglers are being reminded that the trout fishing season in Victorian rivers officially closed at midnight on June 11 this year.

Victorian Fisheries Authority chief executive officer Travis Dowling said the closure remains in place until August 31.

“The recent Queen’s Birthday long weekend provided freshwater anglers with their last chance to catch trout in most of our rivers before the season finished,” Mr Dowling said.

“Although most streams and rivers close during winter, anglers can still fish for trout and salmon in Victorian lakes and reservoirs, which remain open year-round.

“We’d like to remind anglers that minimum legal sizes now exist for trout in Lake Toolondo (45 centimetres for brown trout and 30 centimetres for rainbow trout) and Hepburn Lagoon (45 centimetres for brown and rainbow trout) to help produce more trophy sized fish.”

Mr Dowling said the three-month trout and salmon closed season applies only to rivers and streams.

However, new regulations introduced last year mean the Hopkins River and the Merri River remain open to trout fishing year-round, and sections of sea-run rivers, such as the Aire, Gellibrand, Hopkins, Merri and Moyne remain open too.

“Victorian Fisheries Authority stocks more than 130 lakes annually with trout and salmon so there are still plenty of inland fishing opportunities available to keep anglers happy during winter.”

Mr Dowling said the state-wide fish stocking program helped maintain productive trout fisheries and was funded by recreational fishing licence fees and the State Government’s record $46 million investment in the “Target One Million” plan, which aims to get one million Victorians fishing by 2020 and boost fish stocking.

“Over the last year we’ve stocked more than 6 million fish, which more than delivers on the Target One Million commitment to stock 5 million. This is great news for fishers and their families who want to wet a line and spend time together in great outdoors.

Other stocked lakes worth a visit during winter include: LakeToolondo, Lake Hume, Lake Fyans, Tullaroop Reservoir, Moorabool Reservoir, Newlyn Reservoir, Lake Bullen Merri, West Barwon Dam, Lake Eppalock, Blue Rock Lake, Lake Wendouree and Hyland Lake.

To search trout stocking records for your favourite water visit: vfa.vic.gov.au/db.

Mr Dowling said trout fishing in rivers would re-open at midnight on Friday August 31. For detailed information about the trout and salmon closed season, visit: vfa.vic.gov.au/troutclosedseason.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club held their 4th Major Fishing Competition sponsored by Tom Dawson Concreting on Sunday June 10. They had 13 boats with 21 anglers out enjoying the perfect conditions.

There were plenty of fish caught and weighed in with all the scores being very close.

» Junior Winner. Jack Addison with a snapper 2405 points.
» Junior runner up. Zane Lodge with a snapper 2395 points.
» Senior Winner. Andrew Clarke with a snapper 4005 points.
» Senior runner up. Graeme Norton with a sergeant baker 3198 points.
» Senior 3rd. Tony Peddie with a snapper 2835 points.

Their next competition is on July 1.

PHOTOS

I would also like to remind everyone to keep those photos coming in of your big catch!

Photos: Please forward them to the email address below, with Type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big catch. Email photos to [email protected].