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

Issue 242, 26 March 2009
                                                                                                                       

Stocking Summary

The following waters were stocked by Fisheries Victoria during the month of March 2009.

Date	Water	Species	No.	Date	Water	Species	No.
02/03	Hume Lake	GP	103,000	17/03	Avoca River	GP	18,000
	Eildon Lake	GP	87,000		Bealiba Reservoir	GP	2,000
	Goulburn River	GP	20,000		Broken Creek	GP	20,000
	Bartlett Lake	GP	1,000		Amaroo Lake	GP	500
	Greens Lake	GP	20,000		Lowanna Lake	GP	500
05/03	Purrumbete Lake	BT	5,000		Kialla Lakes	GP	1,500
	Purrumbete Lake	RT	5,000		Broken River	GP	20,000
06/03	Cullulleraine Lake	GP	10,000	18/03	Nagambie Lake	GP	130,000
08/03	Eildon Lake	GP	113,000		Nagambie Lake	MC	2,300
12/03	Rabl Park Lake	GP	2,000	19/03	Kiewa River	MC	500
	Wimmera River	GP	30,000	20/03	Nagambie Lake	MC	15,000
	Wimmera River	SP	10,000	23/03	Pyramid Creek	GP	10,000
	Laanecoorie Reservoir	GP	7,600		Loddon River	GP	50,000
	Richardson River	GP	10,000		Serpentine Creek	GP	5,000
15/03	Nagambie Lake	GP	70,000		Nagambie Lake	MC	9,700

(MC = Murray cod, GP = golden perch, SP = silver perch, BT = brown trout, RT = rainbow trout)

Head to the Hopkins River for a Premier Fishing Experience

Anglers of all ages and levels of ability will be able to benefit from a free Premier River Fishing Festival at Warrnambool on Saturday 4 April.

A range of entertaining and informative activities will be offered for both beginning and experienced anglers along the banks of the Hopkins River near the historic Proudfoots Boathouse.
The free day will offer opportunities to learn about the Hopkins River estuary through presentations by scientific researchers and expert anglers. Instructed fishing workshops for beginner anglers will also be provided by local angling clubs with all fishing equipment supplied.

There will also be activities which will cater for the whole family, including river boat cruises aboard the Spirit of Warrnambool, cooking demonstrations featuring local seafood, stalls and displays and fishing prizes and give-aways.

Children will be catered for through casting and knot tying clinics provided by local Fishcare volunteers, as well as face painting, a jumping castle and a range of other activities.

All registered participants that attend the festival will receive a free Go Fishing in Victoria bag. Specifically designed for budding anglers the bags include the Hopkins River; Fishing For a Premier Experience information guide, a tackle box, a range of informative recreational fishing products and a complimentary lure that can be used to fish for bream and estuary perch.

 There are limited places available for some of the free activities that will be offered so interested anglers and family groups are strongly encouraged to pre-register to reserve places. To pre-register for the festival, ring the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Survey Reveals Stocking Success at Kerang Lakes

Recreational Fishing Licence funded research has revealed excellent results for two of Victoria’s key recreational fish species at Kerang Lakes.

In a February netting survey at Kangaroo Lake 13 Murray cod were captured, the biggest weighing 2 kg and measuring 50 cm in length. More than half (62%) of these Murray cod were tagged, indicating they were stocked fish. The survey also provided good catches of golden perch from Kangaroo Lake, First Reedy Lake, Lake Charm and Kow Swamp.

Part of a five year investigation, this research will help determine the contribution of stocked
Murray cod and golden perch to the Kerang Lakes fishery and provide an evaluation of current fisheries management practices for the lakes. Anglers are encouraged to help the study by reporting the capture of any tagged native fish from Kerang Lakes to DPI Fisheries scientists on (03) 5774 2208.

Lead Sinkers and your Health

The Department of Human Services has released a document detailing the dangers of making lead sinkers to you and your family’s health.

Some people in Victoria have been poisoned by manufacturing lead fishing sinkers in their homes. Melting lead produces a poisonous gas, which can be breathed in. On other occasions children have ingested small sinkers. Lead affects the body in many ways, depending on how much is taken up and how long someone has been exposed to it. It can remain in the body for many years and can cause reduced brain function, including memory and concentration problems, learning and behaviour problems in children.

The safest option is not to manufacture lead fishing sinkers yourself. But also consider:
• Never put a lead sinker in your mouth.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling lead sinkers or cleaning out your tackle box.
• Don’t leave lead sinkers where children can access them.
• Consider a non-lead sinker alternative.

More information about lead sinkers and your health can be found at:
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/fishing>Recreational fishing>Lead Sinkers and your Health

Fishy Fact – Tropical Game Fish in Victoria?

Some scientists believe that the warm waters of the East Australian Current are increasing in strength, and this may result in more tropical sportfish being caught off the coast of Victoria such as marlin and dolphinfish!