Fisheries Victoria
'A fortnightly round-up of recreational fisheries management issues'

Fish-Fax issue 163, 19th January 2006

More fish for Eildon Pondage and Eildon Lake

A total of 25,569 rainbow trout and brown trout were released into six waterways during December.

Eildon pondage continues to receive more big fish that should provide good summer fishing. Over 1400 brown trout and rainbow trout ranging in size from 1 to 3 kg were released into the Lake Eildon pondage during December. Yearlings were also released into Eildon Lake .

Now that we are in the summer months Fisheries Victoria will begin stocking native fish such as golden perch and Murray cod into Victoria 's waterways.

Lake Mokoan has got the Blues

Monitoring by Goulburn-Murray water (G-MW) has detected high levels of blue-green algae in Lake Mokoan . Warning signs are being placed at the recreational areas around Lake Mokoan .

Goulburn-Murray Water advises the public to avoid direct bodily contact with water from Lake Mokoan . Other popular activities such as boating and fishing with due care can still be enjoyed on the lake. Characteristic signs of algae contact are skin rashes or itchiness; sore eyes, ears and nose; or, if swallowed, gastroenteritis, nausea or vomiting. People with sensitive skin or allergies are at a higher risk.

For further information, please see the Goulburn-Murray Water website www.g-mwater.com.au and for blue-green algae status contact the algal hotline on 03 5833 5785.

Fyans fish out

Drought and ongoing high temperatures have affected water conditions at Lake Fyans to the extent it is unlikely that the fish population can be sustained at its current levels.

A forecast of water levels below one metre in the reservoir has prompted Fisheries Victoria to implement a fish-netting program. Fisheries Victoria began netting on January 9 in a bid to alleviate stress on fish by reducing overall fish levels. Over two tonnes of fish have been removed with approximately 75 % being tench. After the first week 190 trout and 400 kg of redfin had been caught.

Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater) approached the Department of Primary Industries fearing forecast low water levels would result in a major fish kill which would affect the quality of drinking water for Ararat and Stawell that is stored in Lake Fyans . Fisheries Victoria worked with GWM Water and the Environment Protection Authority to consider options. They also sought the views of anglers via extensive consultation with local representatives of the Victorian Recreational Fishing peak body (VRFish). It was determined that the best way to reduce the impact of the fish kill was to reduce the biomass by netting the lake.

Detailed investigation indicated survival of Lake Fyans ' fish population was unlikely through the summer. Low water levels, associated rising water temperatures and low levels of dissolved oxygen, are factors that put stress on fish and are likely to result in a large-scale fish kill. This is the first time that Lake Fyans had begun summer with a water level of less than three metres. The current water level is not enough to sustain the current fishery given that further drops in the water level is likely to further reduce water quality.

Fisheries Victoria has regularly stocked Lake Fyans with trout and intends to rebuild the fishery when there is more water in the lake.

Carp screens at Rocklands reservoir

Permanent, low maintenance and effective carp screening at Rocklands Reservoir is drawing nearer with carp screen units now being constructed. As mentioned in Fish-e-Fax 150 on 21 July, 2005, existing screens, although successful require a high level of maintenance.

The new screens will allow larger volumes of water to be released as environmental flows to improve river health, including fish habitat, in the Glenelg River downstream of Rocklands. The aim of the project is to prevent carp (including eggs) being introduced to the Glenelg through environmental flow releases. Carp are abundant in Rocklands Reservoir but exist only as a small, isolated population in the Glenelg River , downstream of the reservoir.

Construction is scheduled for completion in April and the initial period of operation will involve monitoring to ensure the screens are functioning effectively before the old screens are removed.

For further information on this project or any aspect of Glenelg Hopkins CMAs carp management program, contact Ms. Melody. Jane on 5562 6104.

Enforcement outcomes

A man pleaded guilty in the Dandenong Magistrates Court to taking excess squid whilst fishing on the Mornington Pier. He was found guilty, fined $250 without conviction and had all seized fishing gear ordered to be forfeited.