Fish of the Goulburn River

FISH OF THE GOULBURN RIVER SYSTEM

Lake Eildon and the Goulburn River System offers some of the most diverse freshwater fishing in Australia. Everything from trout in the icy mountain streams to giant Murray Cod.

TO FIND OUT MORE, CLICK ON FISH NAMES WHICH ARE UNDERLINED

Fish to be found in the region include: _________________________________________________________________________________

Murray Cod. Australia’s largest freshwater fish, it is to be found in Lake Eildon.

There has been a remnant population of cod in the lake which has been supplemented by Victorian Fisheries over recent years.

Cod as big as 30kg have been taken from the lake in recent years and many smaller fish ( to 10 kg ) are regularly taken.

It has a bag limit of 2 per day. Minimum size 50cm, and closed season from 1 Sept to 30 Nov.

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Golden Perch. Found in lake Eildon in similar haunts to the Murray cod it is a targeted native species well regarded by anglers. There are no restrictions for this species in Victoria.

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Macquarie Perch. A threatened species in Victoria, it is highly regarded as an excellent angling and eating species. It is totally protected in Lake Eildon and all inflowing streams due to an ongoing program by Victorian Fisheries to reintroduce it into the lake. That closure will run till 18th December 1999.

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Blackfish. This is a fish of the shadows most often taken at dusk or dawn. There are two species found in North Eastern Victoria but the angler usually has great difficulty telling the difference. Fish in smaller streams with a fat juicy worm and you may be rewarded with a magnificent Blackfish. Many claim it is Victoria’s best eating freshwater fish. There are no restrictions on these fish north of the Great Dividing Range.

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Spiny Freshwater Crayfish. These impressive animals are found in many streams, rivers and lakes throughout the area.. They have a minimum size of 9 cm carapace length and a bag limit of 10 per day. Females carrying eggs or young and soft shelled individuals are also protected.

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Brown trout and Rainbow trout. Victorian Fisheries stocks up to 12,000 trout ranging from advanced yearlings to 3 year olds which may weigh up to 5 kg into the Eildon Pondage.

There has been no trout releases in lake Eildon for several years but Eildon Action has negotiated with Victorian Fisheries to change this and Eildon Action will be releasing 200,000 rainbow trout into the lake in the second half of 1999. There is natural breeding of trout in many of the impounded rivers and streams of lake Eildon but the fishing community believe that this natural breeding is not enough to satisfy fishing pressure on the lake.

These are among the most desired freshwater angling fish in the world and the area attracts tens of thousands of anglers annually to target the areas superb trout.

There are restrictions on taking trout in Victoria but there is no closed season for Eildon Pondage or Lake Eildon. However there are bag limits of 5 trout per day for the Eildon Pondage and 10 per day for Lake Eildon.

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Redfin. An aggressive introduced fish it is great fun on a line and one of Victoria’s tastiest freshwater fish. Confined mostly to lake Eildon it will also be found in billabongs along the Goulburn river. There are no restrictions on taking this species.

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European Carp. The name often puts people off, but this is a great fun fishing fish and very prolific throughout the region. Taken on light line it is an excellent fighter and will challenge the angler to land it.

Carp are noxious fish in Victoria which means that they may not be released alive back into waters nor may it be kept or transported alive. Many European and Asian people claim that this is an excellent eating fish but to date Australians have failed to appreciate its eating qualities.

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Roach. These are a smallish silvery fish which is to be found in lake Eildon. Stories of families locating a school of these and having a brisk half hour catching a dozen or more fish are told around lake Eildon. They are great fun, especially on light gear. Fly fishing some of Eildon’s inlets is bound to produce a few. There are no limits or restrictions on this species.

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Tench. Another introduced species, they are found in the Goulburn river. Fish for them on the bottom.

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Goldfish. Yes goldfish, some up to 2 kg are to be found in Lake Eildon They’re the same species that you keep in your tank at home, but bigger ... and usually lacking in the bright colours. Fish for them either with a float or on the bottom and surprise yourself with their fighting ability.

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If you’re going fishing anywhere in Victoria you should acquaint yourself with all the rules and regulations including those concerning licences and gear limitations. The publication "Victorian Recreational Fishing Regulations Guide" is available free from most fishing tackle shops.

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