Fine tuning fish stocking in southwest crater lakes

12 May 2016

A review of trout and salmon stocking in Camperdown's two crater lakes will see a continuation of the successful Chinook salmon approach in Lake Bullen Merri and a return to large scale releases of brown trout in Lake Purrumbete.

Fisheries Victoria acting Executive Director, Mark Edwards, said fisheries managers met with freshwater anglers last month to consider the monitoring results of the stocking trial, which had aimed to improve the quality of the Chinook salmon fishery in both lakes.

"The monitoring effort included a creel survey which had interviewed more than 1,100 anglers, and two years' worth of catch and effort statistics collected by members of the Lake Purrumbete and Camperdown Angling Clubs across both Lake Purrumbete and Bullen Merri," Mr Edwards said.

"In Lake Bullen Merri, stocked Chinook salmon had performed well, with high catch rates by anglers and some specimens reaching 3.4 kilograms.

"In nearby Lake Purrumbete, Chinook salmon had also delivered high catch rates for anglers but had not grown as large as hoped.

"Given the reduced stocking rates of brown trout in Lake Purrumbete, catch rates had fallen during the stocking trial, however their average size was two kilograms and satisfied many anglers.

Mr Edwards said that feedback from anglers at the review and via the creel survey had indicated a strong desire to maintain the high performance of the Chinook salmon fishery at Lake Bullen Merri and for increased stocking of brown trout in Lake Purrumbete.

"Consequently, fisheries managers will adjust stocking plans for the lakes this year to optimise what each can deliver for freshwater anglers.

"We will focus on further building the Chinook salmon fishery in Lake Bullen Merri, where they have done best. It will receive 20,000 Chinook salmon yearlings, 5000 rainbow trout and 5000 brown trout this year.

"At Lake Purrumbete, brown trout stocking will be boosted to 20,000 yearlings along with 10,000 Chinook salmon and 5,000 rainbow trout.

"Fisheries Victoria highly value angler input and the crater lakes monitoring project is an excellent example of how anglers and fisheries managers can effectively work together to improve recreational fishing."

Lake Purrumbete Angling Club Secretary and VRFish State Council member, Rob Hems, said recreational anglers greatly appreciated being able to contribute to the improvement of their fisheries by providing feedback from their fishing at these lakes.

For more information about this project, which was funded by recreational fishing licence fees, visit  www.vic.gov.au/chinook