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Recreational fishers are being encouraged to take advantage of Victoria\u2019s great outdoors this winter as the three-month season for Murray spiny freshwater crayfish opens.<\/p>\n
Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) chief executive Travis Dowling said the Murray cray season is highly anticipated on the freshwater fishing calendar.<\/p>\n
“Murray crays are a delicacy, so the season provides a great opportunity for people to try their luck at snagging the world\u2019s second largest freshwater crayfish,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cCatching Murray crays is great fun for fishers of all ages and experience levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you’re looking to catch and keep Murray crays, we recommend the mid to lower reaches of our larger inland rivers such as the Ovens, Goulburn, Mitta Mitta and Kiewa.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese areas also boast excellent camping spots and facilities which make it easy to enjoy a meal of delicious crays around the campfire with friends and family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hoop nets, baited lines (no hooks) and your own hands may all be used to catch Murray crays.<\/p>\n
Open top lift nets can only be used to catch Murray crays at Lake Eildon, Rocklands Reservoir and Lake Dartmouth.<\/p>\n
Nets must be attached to a tag that remains above the water’s surface, with the owner\u2019s full name and address written clearly.<\/p>\n
Dowling said it was also important to know how to measure crays correctly, from just behind the eye socket to the rear of the carapace, which is the main body shell.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeasuring Murray crays correctly and only keeping ones between 10 and 12cm ensures we keep large, breeding females in the system to produce offspring for years to come,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny female crays carrying eggs under their tails must be released immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
A daily bag limit of two crays applies, as does a statewide possession limit of four per person at any one time.<\/p>\n
For more information on bag and size limits for Murray crays, grab a free recreational fishing guide from a tackle store, download the free VicFishing app or head to vfa.vic.gov.au\/murraycrays<\/strong><\/p>\n If you see or suspect any illegal fishing in Victoria, call the 24\/7 reporting service, 13FISH (133474), to speak directly to a fisheries officer. You can remain anonymous. <\/em><\/p>\n FISHING REPORTS<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Anglesea<\/p>\n Reports this week are few and far between, with weather being a factor.<\/p>\n * Some have been out chasing tuna with few results<\/p>\n * No reports of any other fish being caught<\/p>\n