Fishing & Aquaculture

A Guide to the Inland Angling Waters of Victoria
River Basins Map | Angling Waters A-Z | La Trobe River Basin

Angling Waters of the La Trobe River Basin 26

Ada River, Noojee A 3
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Fast flowing stream with rock and sand bottom. Contains abundant brown trout to 300g, (av. 100g).

Bear Creek, Warragul C 9
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A small, narrow deep, tributary of the Moe River which contains small trout, less than 220g, short-finned eel and Gippsland spiny crayfish.

Billy Creek, Churchill H 11
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A small tributary of the Morwell River, gravel bottom. Contains brown trout to 240g, average 80g, short-finned eel and Gippsland spiny crayfish. Not heavily fished.

Blue Rock, Lake Willow Grove E 6
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873ha. 200,000ML. Boat ramp, picnic facilities.

No camping or swimming.

	Blue Rock bass stocking

A storage on the Tanjil River below the junction of the river’s east and west branches. Boating permitted, but restricted to a maximum boat length of 4.3m, maximum power of 7.5kw (10hp) and a speed limit of 8km/hr. Good shoreline access for fishing on the western side. Contains abundant carp av. 600g and up to 6kg, brown trout to 1.3kg, (av. 700g), redfin to 1.4kg, (av. 440g), goldfish and possibly some short-finned eels. Stocked regularly with brown trout. Australian bass stocking commenced in December 2002.

Clear Lake, Sale N 8
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A small lake surrounded by pine plantations. Accessible by Chessum Road, off the Rosedale-Longford Road, and then via tracks through the pine plantations. Access requires some local knowledge. Was stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout 1987-90 but produced very poor results. No longer stocked and not recommended as a fishing water.

Flynns Creek, Flynn J 9
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A small creek with some deep pools in its middle and upper reaches. Flows through farmland, mud and gravel bottom. Occasionally stops running in summer and the lower reaches are badly silted. Contains some brown trout average 250g, maximum 650g, short-finned eel, Gippsland spiny crayfish, carp, goldfish and tupong. Last stocked with trout by the Department in 1969.

Hawthorn Creek, Noojee D 4
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Tributary of the La Trobe River. Contains short-finned eel to 800g, river blackfish to 100g, abundant small brown trout to 250g, Australian smelt and Gippsland spiny crayfish.

Hazel Creek, Warragul B 7
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A small tributary of the Moe River. Flows through farmland and the town of Warragul, 2-4m wide, riffles 10-20cm deep and pools to 60cm. Stream partially blocked by encroachment of vegetation in some areas. Good habitat for small fish particularly downstream of Warragul. Contains small brown trout less than 220g, short-finned eel, carp and Gippsland spiny crayfish. Not heavily fished.

Hazelwood Pondage, Churchill G 10
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500ha. 31000ML. Boat ramp and open to boating. The lake has zones for various activities. Closed to boating several times a year for special events, check with the lake caretaker (5163 1566).

This shallow warm reservoir in flat open country is a cooling water pondage for a nearby power station. Contains abundant carp to 3kg, eels and the illegally introduced, exotic aquarium species convict cichlid, spotted tilapia (formerly called the black mangrove cichlid), blue acara and the red devil. Trout stocking in this water was unsuccessful. Stocking with Australian bass commenced early in 2003.

Rainbow trout

2ha.

Surrounded by farmland. Contains short-finned eels. Now one of the ‘small waters’ to be stocked with rainbow trout for the 2^nd and 3^rd school term holidays for junior anglers.

La Trobe River, Yallourn N 7
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Above Noojee B 4

Rises at Powelltown and flows for 20km through native forest to Noojee. Very accessible from the Yarra Junction/Noojee Road. It is a shallow river (mostly less than 60cm deep) 5-10m wide, with a sand substrate. At Noojee, riparian vegetation includes grass, blackberry with some instream rushes. Substrate is rubble, gravel and sand. Instream debris is common. The best fishing area is around Noojee with brown trout to 1.1kg, (av. 400g). Both brown trout and river blackfish are abundant. Other species are Australian smelt, both eel species, short-headed lamprey and pouched lamprey.

Noojee to Narracan Lake D 5

Flows in a wide valley through gently rolling farmland upstream of Willow Grove and flat farmland downstream. Riparian vegetation varies from scattered mature eucalypts and wattles, grass, or dense willow trees. Substrate is rock, gravel and rubble areas upstream, and sand downstream. Channel width varies from 7 to 13m. There are extensive shallow riffle/runs 60-80cm with deeper gutters and pools over 100cm deep.

The streambed is open and exposed, with fish cover and habitat mainly along the banks. Contains brown trout, abundant river blackfish, short-finned eel, Australian smelt, short-headed lamprey, and downstream from Willow Grove, Gippsland spiny crayfish, carp, redfin, tench and southern pygmy perch. The best fishing is in spring and autumn. The Hawthorn Bridge area downstream from Noojee has abundant small brown trout averaging 90g.

Lake Narracan to Yallourn Power Station wall G 8

A 1.5km reach of wide (50m), deep (5m) water, mud bottom. Contains predominantly carp to 4.5kg, brown trout and short-finned eel. A few brown trout are taken on spinners.

Yallourn Power Station wall to Lake Wellington J 8

Flows in open, flat farmland. Riparian vegetation is usually willows, grass, occasional tea-tree, wattle or scattered red gum in various combinations. The banks are steep or often vertical and eroding, resulting in discoloured water and sedimentation of the bed. Channel width is 25-30m with water depths varying from 1.5 to 2m. Substrate is sand, mud or hard clay. The river consists of slow runs with deeper pools on the bends and occasional short riffles. Water temperatures are usually higher below the Power Station wall, than nearby waters, due to the release of warm water from the power station. Subject to flash floods.

The most widespread and numerous fish are carp to 5kg, short-finned eels and Australian smelt. Other species are river blackfish, redfin, mosquitofish, long-finned eel, common galaxias, southern pygmy perch, very occasional Australian grayling and tupong. Brown trout to 1.4kg, redfin, black bream, luderick, yellow-eye mullet and abundant estuary perch are caught in the river between Sale and Lake Wellington. There are reports of dwarf galaxias, and Australian bass near Lake Wellington. Most angling in the La Trobe River downstream of Lake Narracan is for carp.

Little Morwell River, Boolara F 11
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A small stream flowing through farmland, then several kilometres of forest, then 5-6km of farmland to the Morwell River. Width is 2-4m with shallow (10-20cm) riffles and pools to 60cm. Predominantly sand bottom. Good habitat (debris, pools and riffles) for small brown trout in the forested area. Contains brown trout to 530g, (av. 110g), eels to 1kg, river blackfish to 100g (av. 25g), short-headed lamprey and small Gippsland spiny crayfish. Not often fished. Last stocked with trout by the Department in 1958.

Loch River, Noojee C 3
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A clear, fast-flowing, shallow, mountain stream joining the La Trobe River at Noojee, mud, sand and gravel bottom. Contains abundant small brown trout (some fish to 600g) river blackfish, Gippsland spiny crayfish and some short-finned eels.

Middle Creek, Boolara G 11
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A small gravel-bottom stream joining the Morwell River below Boolara. Contains brown trout to 330g (av. 160g), carp, short-finned eels and small Gippsland spiny crayfish. Not often fished.

Moe River, Moe D 8
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A large drain, 10-15m wide, flowing through flat farmland with mud and gravel substrate. Limited riparian vegetation. Some deep pools. A very fertile water carrying predominantly carp average 1kg, (max. 3kg), some tench and short-finned eel. Last stocked with trout by the Department in1969.

Moondarra Reservoir, Tyers H 6
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30,300ML. Not open to angling.

A domestic water storage on the Tyers River. Contains carp, brown trout, redfin and short-finned eel but all angling is prohibited.

Morwell Lake, Morwell H 9
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A small water (less than 5ha) stocked with rainbow trout yearlings for the 2^nd and 3^rd school term holidays for junior anglers.

Morwell River, Morwell G 10
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	Morwell River

Rises in steep open forest and then flows in a rock, boulder and rubble bed in a narrow valley to Boolara. Upstream of Boolara it is accessible from the Morwell River Road. Riparian vegetation is eucalypts, grass, willows, tea-tree and blackberry. Water type is a mixture of pools and runs with some rapids. Fish habitat is provided by willow roots, bank vegetation and debris. At Boolara, the river is up to 10m wide with extensive pools over 100cm deep. Riparian vegetation is primarily willow. Further downstream it flows through flat farmland in a wide valley.

Riparian vegetation varies from dense willows to mature eucalypts and wattles near Yinnar. Here the channel is 8m wide with steep banks 4m high. There are shallow riffles (60cm) and extensive pools over 100cm deep. This area has some good habitat and is accessible for angling. Other sections, particularly in the lower reaches, have become badly silted up or channelised and provide little angling opportunity.

A popular stream with local anglers as the upper section, particularly above Boolara has abundant brown trout and river blackfish and is good for fly fishing. Contains mainly brown trout to 560g, but the average size is very small, also short-finned eel, Gippsland spiny crayfish, carp, goldfish, tupong, river blackfish, Australian smelt, long-finned eel, flat-headed gudgeon, mosquitofish, southern pygmy perch and short-headed lamprey.

Narracan Creek, Moe F 9
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A small stream rising in hilly farmland near Thorpdale then flowing in cleared or lightly forested river flats. Catchment has been modified by agriculture. The stream is turbid and in many places choked by willows. Width varies from 2m upstream to 5m downstream. Substrate also changes from gravel upstream, to rubble and rock, then mud in the lower reaches. Riffles are shallow (20-40cm) upstream but there are reasonable areas of deeper water (50-80cm and occasional pools to 100cm) with good habitat downstream.

There is a waterfall on the creek 4km downstream of Thorpdale. Contains a few brown trout av. 350g, short-finned eel, small river blackfish, Gippsland spiny crayfish, dwarf galaxias and Australian smelt. Not a popular fishing water.

Narracan Lake, Moe G 8
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300ha. 7,995ML. Boat ramp, camping.

Formerly known as Yallourn Storage Dam, this lake has extensive shallows at the western end. Erosion in the catchment has led to the bottom becoming mainly mud and the water is turbid most of the time. Water level fluctuates widely. Contains mainly carp av. 1kg, (max. 5kg), some brown trout to 500g, redfin and goldfish. Mainly fished for carp with corn and worms the best bait. Also used for boating and water skiing.

Trout stocking by the Department was suspended in 1984 due to the very poor return to anglers. Stocked again between since 1998 after the lake had been substantially drained. The turbid water and high summer temperatures make this lake marginal for trout. Australian bass is being considered as an alternative species that might better cope with these conditions.

O’Gradys Creek, Boolarra F 11
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A small tributary of the Morwell River, gravel bottom. Contains brown trout av. 200g, eels and small Gippsland spiny crayfish. Not often fished.

Pioneer Creek, Noojee A 4
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Small stream containing brown trout to 320 g, (av. 100g), river blackfish, eels and Gippsland spiny crayfish.

Red Hill Creek, Neerim C 7
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A small narrow deep creek with spawning habitat for trout. Contains small trout less than 220g, eels and Gippsland spiny crayfish. Not heavily fished. Last stocked with trout by the Department in 1978.

Rintouls Creek, Tyers I 7
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Contains eels to 600g, river blackfish to 130g, tupong and brown trout to 300g, (av. 90g).

Shady Creek, Neerim D 6
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Flows through flat farmland into the Moe River. Channel width varies from 2-4m with bank heights 1-2m. Riffles are 30-60cm deep with pools up to 100cm deep. Mud bottom with debris. Riparian vegetation is grass and willows. Turbid water, instream cover and deep pools provide excellent habitat for biota. Contains eels to 825g, river blackfish to 110g, occasional brown trout to 550g, (av. 110g), long-finned eel, southern pygmy perch, mosquitofish and Gippsland spiny crayfish.

Tanjil River, Willow Grove E 5
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	Tanjil River

Above Blue Rock Lake E 5

A clear, fast-flowing stream, rising in steep forest, rock, boulders and gravel bottom. Channel width to 15m, riffles 50cm deep and pools over 100cm. Numerous small brown trout av. 120g, with some fish to 680g, abundant river blackfish, a few smaller rainbow trout, southern pygmy perch and carp in the lower section near Blue Rock Lake.

Below Blue Rock Lake

The river flows for 30km to the La Trobe River mostly through flat farmland. Riparian vegetation is mature eucalypts, blackberry, grass and some willows. Channel width is 9-20m. Predominant water upstream is riffles to 60cm deep with only 6% of the river being pools to 100cm deep. Substrate is rubble, rock and boulders with small patches of gravel and sand.

Downstream the channel is deeper and flow is slower. Riffles are up to 86cm deep and pools to 150cm. Substrate is sand and gravel with patches of mud and rock. Contains predominantly brown trout to 780g and occasionally to 1.4kg, (av. 150g), abundant river blackfish, a good number of Gippsland spiny crayfish, carp, occasional short-finned eel, redfin, Australian smelt, flat-headed gudgeon and occasional short-headed lamprey. Carp are most abundant near the junction with the La Trobe River. There is adequate trout spawning to naturally support the population and the water has not been stocked with trout by the Department since 1985.

The decreased water temperature associated with releases from Blue Rock Lake has significantly improved conditions for trout in this section of the river.

Toorongo River, Noojee D 3
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A clear fast-flowing stream, mud sand and gravel bottom. The valley is largely cleared but there is good riparian vegetation on the banks. Contains Gippsland spiny crayfish, brown trout to 400g, river blackfish and short-headed lamprey.

Traralgon Creek, Traralgon I 10
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A small creek (4-5m wide) flowing through mostly cleared flat farmland, rock and mud bottom. There is dense riparian vegetation of willows although some sections (Morwell Rd) have been cleared and replanted with native trees. Here there are deeper pools and some good habitat. Other sections are choked with instream willows resulting in small deep pools among the willow roots. There is turbid water, sluggish flow and some sedimentation. Contains mainly brown trout av. 90g, (max. 600g), also short-finned eel, tupong, numerous river blackfish, some Gippsland spiny crayfish, carp, southern pygmy perch, Australian smelt, short-headed lamprey and pouched lamprey. A popular water for bait fishing.

Tyers River, Tyers H 7
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	Tyers River

Above Moondarra Reservoir G 6

A fast flowing stream running through flat farmland adjacent to steep forested country. Substrate is rubble, gravel and sand. Water is mostly runs and riffles with occasional pools. Abundant fish habitat from debris and undercut banks. Channel width to 8m. Access is limited to road crossings. Contains abundant brown trout av. 150g, with some to 1.3kg, abundant river blackfish to 130g, Australian smelt and Gippsland spiny crayfish.

(East Tyers River a tributary of Tyers River)

A small (2-5m wide) creek flowing in forested mountains. Riparian vegetation of native forest and ferns. Pools to 70cm deep formed by log jams and other debris; riffles to 20cm. Substrate rubble and patches of sand. Excellent fish habitat and cover. No survey data but probably contains the same fish species as in the upper Tyers River.

Moondarra Reservoir to La Trobe River H 7

A wide, shallow river (mostly 10-50cm deep with some large pools to 100cm deep). Flows through steep forest with riparian vegetation of blackberry and tea-tree. Substrate is sand in the pools and scattered rubble, boulders and rock in the riffles and runs. Contains short-finned eel, long-finned eel, brown trout to 300g, (av. 80g), Gippsland spiny crayfish, river blackfish to 150g, carp, short-headed lamprey and a good population of redfin which is unusual in this type of mountain stream. Accessible via the old Tyers-Walhalla Road.

Wilderness Creek, Boolarra G 6
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A small tributary of the Morwell River, gravel bottom. Contains brown trout average 140g, eels, some river blackfish and small Gippsland spiny crayfish. Not often fished.

Yallourn Storage Dam (see Narracan Lake)

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