FISHING REPORT – June 6, 2019

ANGLESEA
» Weather continues to be poor for fishing
» Some reports of some small salmon off local beaches
» When people get out reports they mainly consist of a few small pinkies and the occasional flathead
» Past reports have seen a few gummy shark caught
» Those fishing for whiting had been catching them in close.
Report provided courtesy the Anglesea Rusty Anglers Angling Club

BARWON HEADS
» Reports are spasmodic at best
» Snapper, pinkies and flathead had previously been reported
» The occasional gummy shark
» Small whiting plus a few salmon in the river
» A few reports of salmon being caught off the beaches.

TORQUAY
» Once again, conditions have not seen many reports
» Previously King George whiting were being caught when fished for in close
» Reports of snapper had also been received
» The occasional gummy shark
» There had also been reports of flathead
» Reports of salmon off local beaches were previously being received
» Still small bream to be caught in Spring Creek.
Torquay Tackle and Sports

QUEENSCLIFF
» St Leonards has seen reports of King George whiting, flathead and a few squid
» Clifton Springs has whiting, flathead, squid and a few pinkies being caught
» Queenscliff has reports of whiting, flathead, pinkies and squid previously being caught
» The creek is still seeing a few reports of some small Trevally
» Swan Bay has seen reports of pinkies, flathead and squid near the mouth
» Point Lonsdale pier is still producing reports of a few trevally, King George whiting, salmon, and a few squid
» The White Lady was reporting whiting, squid and flathead catches
» Indented Head has seen reports of flathead, King George whiting, squid, and snapper being caught previously.

GOULBURN-Murray Water (GMW) is again partnering with the Victorian Fisheries Authority (VFA) to relocate hundreds of Murray Cod and other high-value native fish caught up in the East Goulburn Main Irrigation Channel.

At the same time, the organisations expect to bring a smile to the faces of local anglers by re-stocking family friendly fishing spots at Lake Benalla, Broken Creek at Nathalia and Victoria Park Lake in Shepparton.

Taking advantage of the end of the gravity irrigation season, GMW is allowing the VFA and a contracted electro-fishing boat to enter the irrigation channel and undertake a catchand- release program.

“A similar exercise was trialled in 2017 and proved very successful with more than 550 valuable native fish – mostly decent size Murray Cod – relocated into a more natural habitat,” VFA Chief Executive Officer Travis Dowling said.

Murray Cod and other valuable natives like Golden Perch and Blackfish have shown they can adapt to life in the East Goulburn Main Irrigation Channel and its connecting spur channels. However, they can also be at risk when GMW conducts regular lowering of channels for de-silting and weed spray programs.

The fish likely originally came from Nagambie Lakes and unwittingly found their way into the irrigation network via Goulburn Weir.

Electro-fishing, often called the friendly way to fish, involves a boat equipped with electrodes which are lowered into the water to attract and stun fish. They can then be netted, placed in a holding tank and transported for release into lakes and rivers.

GMW Managing Director Charmaine Quick welcomed the joint effort with the VFA as a “win-win” for local communities and the environment – not to mention the wayward fish.

“The electrofishing boat is being funded by the VFA while GMW is providing some manpower, transport and site safety management, so it’s a true partnership of benefit to our local communities,” she said.

“Importantly, the timing and locations of the electro-fishing exercise also means there is no impact on our irrigation customers.”

Electrofishing is expected to take place over two weeks from late May with another two weeks possible later in the winter.

The VFA is working with local fishing clubs and primary schools in Benalla, Nathalia and Shepparton to take part in the fish releases expected to result from the partnership.

MURRAY COD FAST FACTS
• Murray Cod are the most long-lived freshwater native fish in Australia, reaching ages of 50 years or more
• They are Australia’s largest freshwater fish, regularly growing to more than 1m
• A top predator in their habitat, a Murray Cod will eat almost anything that crosses its path – other fish, yabbies, shrimp, waterfowl, small mammals and turtles Meanwhile, if you see or suspect illegal fishing activity any time, phone the 24-hour reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474).

CLUB CORNER
If you are an angling club and you wish to let people know what’s going on within your club as well as help promote your club, email [email protected] and we will post your club news here

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.