Fish-e-Facts 369
15 May 2015
May 2015
Stocked estuary perch come of age
In a world first, Fisheries Victoria has developed a large-scale breeding and stocking program for the elusive estuary perch. Since 2012, more than 220,000 estuary perch fingerlings have been stocked in ten waters across south west Victoria including: Lakes Hamilton; Beaufort; Struan; Albert Park; Bolac; Devilbend Reservoir; Pertobe; Werribee River; and Melton Reservoir.
Recent fish surveys on six of these lakes, conducted with the help of Deakin University and a commercial eel fyke net fisher, show that these fisheries are developing well. Lake Bolac boasted the biggest perch of 28.3cm (pictured). It weighed 486 grams and was most likely from the lake's first stocking of 7,000 fingerlings in January 2012. Since then, the lake has been stocked with nearly 43,000 perch fingerlings. This excellent growth rate, coupled with the species' long life span of up to 40 years, suggests quality fisheries can be created.
This project and others like it are creating new angling opportunities and supporting the State Government's 'Target One Million' plan, which aims to improve recreational fishing.
Read more about the creation of new inland estuary perch fisheries.
It's Murray crayfish season!
Freshwater anglers are reminded to fish responsibly and according to the rules when the Victorian recreational fishing season for Murray crayfish opens on 1 June.
Catching Murray crays is a popular winter pastime in the state's northern waters during the three month open season of June, July and August.
Murray crays are a slow growing crustacean so anglers should obey the size and bag limits to ensure the fishery remains sustainable for future generations.
The minimum legal size for Murray crays is 10 cm and the maximum size is 12 cm. These size limits are measured differently to scale-fish and are not the entire length, but rather a measure of the carapace size (part of the cray's body).
To help anglers measure their catch accurately, free plastic measures funded by fishing licence fees, are available by calling 136 186.
Other rules apply including bag limits, state-wide possession limits and equipment restrictions.
Chinook salmon and hatchery news
Over the last few years fisheries managers have been working with fishers targeting salmonids in lakes Purrumbete and Bullen Merri. These lakes have been historically significant in producing catches of large brown and rainbow trout. These two waters have also been home to Australia's premier Chinook salmon recreational fishery.
A recent large scale 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.
In Lake Bullen Merri, stocked Chinook salmon had performed well, with high catch rates by anglers and some specimens reaching 3.4 kilograms.
Based on strong feedback fisheries managers have adjusted stocking plans for the lakes this year to optimise what each can deliver for anglers.
Lake Bullen Merri will receive 20,000 Chinook salmon yearlings, 5,000 rainbow trout and 5,000 brown trout this year.
Lake Purrumbete will receive 20,000 brown trout yearlings, 10,000 Chinook salmon and 5,000 rainbow trout.
In news from Fisheries Victoria's hatchery, Snobs Creek, Chinook salmon eggs spawned in April this year are beginning to hatch. These fish have been specially marked and are now being on grown quickly for release later this year. It is more exciting news confirming the return of Chinook salmon to Victorian waters.
Read more about the Chinook salmon stocking project, which was funded by recreational fishing licence fees.
Macquarie perch re-introduction project - Ovens River 2015
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning released more than 500 threatened Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica) into the Ovens River near Wangaratta on 24 April 2015 as part of a project to secure the future viability of the species.
Melbourne Winter Boat Show 2015
The Boating Industry Association of Victoria's popular annual Boat Show is the largest indoor event of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, it is being staged from Friday 12 June to Monday 15 June 2015.
This year – Fisheries Victoria and Parks Victoria will again present a united team at the show. Be sure to come by the stand, chat with some staff and grab some recreational fishing information.