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A
Guide to the Inland Angling Waters of Victoria
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Wimmera Basin 15
MANAGEMENT
| DIVERSIONS
| HERITAGE | FISH
STOCKING | BEST FISHING WATERS | THREATENED
FISH | ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS | FRESHWATER
CATFISH IN THE WIMMERA RIVER
 Wimmera River |
This is a large Basin covering 10% of Victoria's surface area but contributing only 0.9% of the water in the State. There are hills in the south, formed by the Southern Pyrenees and the Grampian Ranges. The flat Wimmera Plains then extend north for 160km, consisting of finely-textured unconsolidated deposits which become an extensive dune complex nearer the Murray River. There are scattered and patchy areas of forest in the southern hills but most of the Basin is grazing (sheep) and broad acre cropping (wheat, barley & oats). There is extensive mallee/saltbush and heathland scrub north of Lake Albucutya.
Most water originates in the southern Pyrenees and Grampian Ranges and flows north via the Wimmera and Richardson Rivers. However flow peters out in the north of the Wimmera Plains, through evaporation and deep seepage with Lakes Hindmarsh and Buloke only receiving water occasionally from the two rivers. Mean annual rainfall is 400-700mm in the southern half of the Basin and 300-400mm north of Dimboola.
The Basin has several large natural lakes and four man-made storages, located south of Horsham. These contain self-sustaining populations of redfin, and salmonids from regular stocking, and provide most of the fishing. Several species of native fish have also been introduced into lakes in the Basin. There is a network of diversion channels for irrigation and these provide some fishing at times.
Waters of the Wimmera River and its tributaries have been exploited and regulated since the 1840's. Nine weirs have been constructed along the main channel of the Wimmera River of which six are still in place. These provide important fishing areas.
Fisheries Victoria, DPI, manages stocking and fisheries policy. The Northern Fisheries, DPI, manages compliance of fisheries regulations and angler contact in Lake Albacutya and Danaher Dam with all other waters managed in a similar way by the South West Fisheries, DPI. The Victorian Inland Fisheries Strategy has assessed Green Lake, Richardson River and the Wimmera River as native fish waters. Lakes Albacutya, Bellfield and Hindmarsh have been listed as mixed species fisheries and Dock Lake, Fyans Lake, Natimuk Lake Toolondo Reservoir and Lake Wartook as salmonid waters.
The Wimmera Catchment Management Authority is responsible for catchment management. The Wimmera-Mallee Rural Water Authority manages irrigation and rural diversion.
The Grampians Region Water Authority manages urban water diversion. Streamflow Management Plans are currently being prepared for the Avon-Richardson River, Mt William Creek and the Upper Wimmera River.
The upper reaches of McKenzie Creek flow into Lake Wartook and from there are diverted to Horsham. Mt William and Fyans Creeks flow into Lake Lonsdale, an unnamed creek flows into Lake Fyans, Fyans Creek flows into Lake Bellfield; and then all these lakes form part of the Wimmera-Mallee Domestic and Stock Water Supply System (generally referred to as the Wimmera-Mallee System). Water from Lake Fyans is also diverted to Ararat. Water from Dairy Creek to Halls Gap. From Fyans Creek to Stawell. From Panrock Creek to Great Western. From Stoney Creek to Willaura. From Wimmera River to Glenorchy. From Malakoff Creek into Franks Gully Reservoir then to Lansborough & Navarre. From Mt Cole Dam to Ararat. From Hickmans Creek to Elmhurst. From unnamed creeks into Dock, Pine, and Taylor Lakes and Toolondo Reservoir then into the Wimmera-Mallee system. Several other towns, Murtoa, Warracknabeal, Horsham and Donald are supplied from irrigation channels and other lakes or reservoirs.
Heritage River Areas, Natural Catchment Areas and Representative Rivers
The Wimmera River from Polkemmet Bridge to Wirrengren Plain has been listed as a Heritage River Area.
Lake Albacutya has been listed as a wetland of international significance under the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran 1971).
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Water |
Species |
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Wimmera River downstream of Horsham |
freshwater catfish, redfin, golden perch |
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Toolondo Reservoir |
salmonids, redfin |
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Fyans Lake |
redfin, salmonids |
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Natimuk Lake |
salmonids |
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Wartook Lake |
brown trout |
The Department of Primary Industries' (DPI) fish stocking program is designed to enhance recreational fishing opportunities for:
Stocking Plans for desirable species are developed annually as part of the regional consultation process involving VRFish representatives and various arms of DPI including Fisheries Victoria and Primary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic).
Up to date information can be found on the Fish Stocking section in Fisheries and Aquaculture.
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Native |
Exotic |
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Australian smelt |
brown trout |
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blackfish |
carp |
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carp gudgeon* |
goldfish |
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common galaxias# |
mosquitofish |
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freshwater catfish |
rainbow trout |
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flat-headed gudgeon |
redfin |
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golden perch |
tench |
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mountain galaxias |
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| Murray cod | |
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silver perch |
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southern pygmy perch |
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western carp gudgeon |
*includes hybrid species
of the genus Hypseleotris previously identified as Midgley's carp gudgeon
#common galaxias: feral populations have become established in several
waters. They are thought to have been introduced into the Wimmera Basin by anglers
using them as bait.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment has listed silver perch as Critically Endangered, Murray cod, golden perch and freshwater catfish as Vulnerable. Murray cod, silver perch and freshwater catfish are also listed under the Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Environmental Condition of Waterways
The major rivers and tributary creeks are all in very poor to moderate condition. The only waterways in good or excellent condition are located in the forested areas in the Grampians.
The most degraded section of the Wimmera River is upstream of Horsham with sparse riparian vegetation, some erosion and encroachment of vegetation into the channel. Although there is generally good bank vegetation and habitat further downstream, the Wimmera River is still considered degraded because of water quality problems. The three larger tributaries (Mt William Creek, Yarriambiack Creek and Richardson/Avon Rivers) have bank erosion although some reaches are in moderate condition with good riparian vegetation
| Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia |
© The State of Victoria
