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A
Guide to the Inland Angling Waters of Victoria
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Snowy River Basin 22
MANAGEMENT
| DIVERSIONS
| HERITAGE | FISH
STOCKING | BEST FISHING WATERS | THREATENED
FISH | ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS | AUSTRALIAN
BASS
 Snowy River |
The Basin is almost all forested with a central area of low mixed species (through which the Snowy River flows) and large areas of tall forest of mixed species in the north-eastern section (Bendoc, Bonang and Deddick River catchments). In the far northwest there is an area of very tall Ash forest and Alpine/Sub Alpine vegetation in the headwaters of the Buchan River. The only cleared farmland is along the main highway north (Buchan/ Gelantipy Road), at Orbost, and around Bendoc and Delegate townships.
The Snowy River flows from sedimentary, elevated tablelands near the NSW Border, then through areas of granitic, mountainous, dissected uplands to Orbost. The headwaters of the Buchan River rise in a high rainfall area (1,000-1,400mm mean annual) but most of the Basin has an annual rainfall of 700-1,000mm and only 600-700mm in the upper reaches of the Snowy and Deddick Rivers.
Flow in the Snowy River is controlled by water released from NSW reservoirs. The upper reaches within Victoria have been severely degraded by low flows but inflow from tributaries further downstream have maintained reasonable instream conditions in the middle and lower reaches of the Snowy River within Victoria. There has been severe sedimentation in the top of the estuary resulting from a reduction in the high flows which used to carry sediments out to sea.
Greater environmental flow releases have recently commenced with the objective of eventually restoring flow to 28% of mean annual flow. There is also a proposal to restore original instream habitat, including deep pools. Much of the Basin is located in National Parks. Although access to the Snowy River valley is difficult, the pristine condition of the area makes such visits very worthwhile.
Fisheries Victoria, DPI, manages stocking and fisheries policy. Gippsland Fisheries, DPI, manages compliance with fisheries regulations and contact with anglers. The Victorian Inland Fisheries Strategy has listed the Bendoc River as a mixed species water; Brodribb, Buchan, and Snowy Rivers as native fish waters; the Delegate and Bonang Rivers as salmonid waters. Catchment Management is the responsibility of East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. East Gippsland Region Water Authority handles urban water. Gippsland & Southern Rural Water Authority manage irrigation and rural water. There are no Streamflow Management Plans currently in progress in this Basin.
Water is diverted from the Rocky and the Brodribb Rivers to Orbost, and from the Buchan River to Buchan township.
Heritage River Areas, Natural Catchment Areas and Representative Rivers
The complete length of the Snowy River within Victoria has been listed as a Heritage River Area together with the Suggan Buggan River and lower Berrima Rivers and the upper reaches of the Buchan River (Playgrounds to Campbell Creek. The Buchan River (above Mellick Creek) has been listed as a Representative River of East Victorian dissected uplands. Natural Catchment Areas are on Gattamurh Creek, Wallaby Creek, Mount Gelantipy Creek, Musk Creek, headwaters of the Brodribb River, Rodger River and Mountain Creek.
Ramsar Sites
There are none in this Basin
No waters in this basin are currently stocked. All waters in which trout were historically stocked, have natural spawning capable of supporting existing fishing pressure.
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.|
Water |
Species |
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Bonang, Brodribb, Buchan, Delegate and , Little Rivers |
brown trout |
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Queensborough River |
river blackfish, brown trout |
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Snowy River estuary |
black bream, estuary perch |
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Native |
Exotic |
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Australian bass |
brown trout |
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Australian smelt |
goldfish |
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Australian grayling |
rainbow trout |
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broad-finned galaxias |
redfin |
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common galaxias |
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estuary perch |
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flat-headed gudgeon |
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long-finned eel |
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mountain galaxias |
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pouched lamprey |
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river blackfish |
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short-headed lamprey |
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short-finned eel |
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southern pygmy perch |
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| spotted galaxias | |
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tupong |
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Surveys have also found freshwater shrimp, Paratya australiensis, and three species of spiny crayfish. Gippsland spiny crayfish Euastacus kershawi, is widely distributed. East Gippsland spiny crayfish, E. bidawalus has been located in the Rodger River. The alpine spiny crayfish, E. crassus, is restricted to the upper Suggan Buggan area (Berrima R).
Unfortunately in many surveys the species of spiny crayfish present has not been identified. The most widely distributed fish, occurring in most waters, are brown trout, eels, then Australian smelt and tupong, The most abundant species in order are Australian smelt, brown trout, short-finned eels, common galaxias, and river blackfish. One important feature of the fish populations is the good resident population of Australian grayling in the Snowy River. Good numbers of spawning Australian grayling have also been located in the Deddick and Suggan Buggan Rivers.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment has listed the Australian grayling as Vulnerable and they are also listed under the Flora & Fauna Guarantee Act 1988.
Environmental Condition of Waterways
The Snowy River upstream of Buchan is in moderate to good condition. There is good riparian vegetation and substrate but all sites show some sediment being deposited along the banks. This originates from cleared areas upstream in New South Wales. In the lower reaches around Orbost, riparian vegetation is poor and there is considerable deposition of sand occurring. This section of the Snowy River is generally in poor condition. The tributary and minor streams in the forested sections (over 95% of their total length) are in good to excellent condition. The reaches in cleared farmland have some erosion problems and poor riparian vegetation but are generally in moderate condition.
| Department of Primary Industries, Victoria, Australia |
© The State of Victoria
