Fishing Report – August 16, 2018

ANGLESEA

» Fishing conditions have been extremely poor over the past week
» Reports of the occasional salmon off the beaches
» Inshore reports continue of a few small pinkies
» The occasional whiting has also been reported.

BARWON HEADS

» The occasional snapper is still being reported
» A few small trevally have been reported in the river
» Some reports of salmon off the beaches being caught.

LORNE

» The weather has been terrible for boat fishing over the last two weeks with only a couple of mornings being calm enough for a quick fish
» Things have quietened down but still an occasional good-sized snapper being caught
» Big gummy and school sharks being caught out deep
» Schools of big salmon appearing and loving small soft plastics
» The pier is producing good size salmon and lots of grass whiting.

Thanks to the Lorne Angling and Aquatic Club for the report.

TORQUAY

» Some reports of a few King George whiting in close
» Reports of a few pinkies offshore
» Some reports of flathead offshore
» Reports of some salmon catches off the beaches
» Bream continue in Spring Creek.

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

» Reports off St Leonards continue of a few King George whiting, flathead and squid
» Clifton Springs is still seeing reports of a few whiting, flathead and squid
» Queenscliff has reports of some whiting, flathead, pinkies and still some squid being caught
» The creek has reports of a few small trevally and salmon
» Swan Bay entrance is still seeing some reports of a few squid and whiting
» Point Lonsdale has seen reports of both trevally and salmon being caught
» The White Lady still producing a few whiting and calamari
» Indented Head is still seeing reports of flathead, King George whiting and squid.

ONE of Victoria’s premium fisheries – Mallacoota’s lower lake – is being impacted by a fish kill.

What is being described as a “minor fish kill” is impacting Mallacoota’s lower lake. It is likely a natural occurrence caused by environmental conditions in the inlet, which has been closed since November last year.

Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) CEO Travis Dowling said sand whiting were most affected although numbers of dead fish were low and varied day to day depending on prevailing weather.

“Long-time locals suggest bream and luderick may also be vulnerable, but there are no signs of those species being affected currently,” Mr Dowling said.

“Marine species like sand whiting are more susceptible to low oxygen levels, elevated salinity and cool water temperatures of a closed inlet, unlike estuarine species that have evolved to better cope with such conditions.

“Affected fish may show symptoms including red spots or ulcers on their skin and reddening of their gills. Some schools of whiting have been observed behaving unusually in the shallows.

“We are urging recreational anglers not to eat dead or dying fish or use them as bait.”

Mr Dowling said liaison with other natural resource agencies such as the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, the Environment Protection Agency and Parks Victoria suggested opening the inlet’s entrance would not help the situation and could make things worse.

“The estuary needs to open naturally following good rain, which will flush the entire system. Opening the estuary at its current low water level risks losing the top layer of more oxygenated water and leaving the cooler water behind.”

Mr Dowling said the VFA had sent dead fish away for testing and would continue to do so if more species became affected.

“We have Fisheries Officers monitoring the situation, talking to people on the ground about what they’re seeing and keeping the broader community informed about the latest happenings.”

4X4 OUTDOOR AND FISHING EXPO

I still have one double pass to give away to this year’s 4×4 Show. So, if anyone still wants to attend this year show and wants a double pass, send me, your most recent picture of your big catch. The event August 17-19 so be quick as it’s first in best dressed, email [email protected].

Meanwhile, anyone with information relating to illegal fishing is encouraged to ring the illegal fishing reporting number on 13FISH (133474).

PHOTOS

I would also like to remind everyone to keep those photos coming in of your big catch! Please forward them to [email protected], with type of fish, weight, length, location and your name. I am more than happy to place your photos in My Big Catch.