Fishing & Aquaculture

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

Angling Waters of the Yarra River Basin 29

Albert Park Lake, Albert Park A 10
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45ha. Melway Map 57 J 4. Non-powered boats, picnic and recreation facilities.

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	Golden perch

A shallow (1.5m) mud-bottom lake located within an open park environment. Receives storm-water runoff from extensive parkland and urban catchment. Access is available around all of the shoreline however fishing is now restricted to two 100m ‘trial fishing zones’. Fisheries management in the 1980's was to provide a put and take fishery.

Two-year-old chinook salmon and trout were successfully stocked. More recently, the emphasis has been on stocking native fish such as golden perch, which can better survive the high summer water temperatures in the lake. Species present include yabbies, redfin, roach, carp, some rainbow trout and golden perch.

Fishing success is erratic although some golden perch to 1kg have been recently caught. Fishing is restricted to the southern area and along Lakeside Drive to minimise conflict with other users. The lake was stocked in 1999 and 2000 with golden perch. It has not been stocked again with golden perch because angler access has been decreased to several small 'fishing zones'. Several successful fishing events have been held in conjunction with Fishing Week in recent years. For these events, Parks Victoria permit the installation of a netted enclosure into which rainbow trout yearlings are released. At the end of the event, the trout and the net are removed with the live fish being translocated to Emerald Lake or Berwick Springs Lake.

Armstrong Creek, Upper Yarra Dam L 7
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Small creek 3m wide upstream to 6m wide downstream, rubble substrate. Has riffles 10-20cm deep and pools to 80cm. Excellent instream habitat. There is an onstream diversion dam which diverts water into the Melbourne supply system. There is no fishing upstream of this dam. Contains numerous small brown trout, river blackfish, abundant pouched lamprey and short-finned eel.

Badger Creek, Healesville I 8
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Also called Coranderk Creek.

Flows in forest, and then through Healesville Sanctuary. Creek is 5m wide with water depth in the riffles of 10-15cm and pools to 100 cm. Rubble substrate and excellent fish habitat. There is no fishing upstream of an onstream diversion dam. Most numerous fish are small river blackfish, small brown trout and roach. Other species are short-finned eel, goldfish, mountain galaxias, short-headed lamprey, pouched lamprey, southern pygmy perch, redfin, Australian smelt and the occasional spotted galaxias and broad-finned galaxias.

Big Pats Creek, Warburton K 9
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Small creek, 6m wide, with predominantly shallow riffles 20-40cm deep and pools to 50cm. Rubble/sand substrate. Flows through forest and has a reliable summer flow and excellent habitat. Good access in the lower section. Contains small brown trout and river blackfish to 200g and small spiny crayfish.

Belgrave Lake, Belgrave F 11
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Not shown on map. Melway 75 G 12

1ha. Picnic area & playground.

A small lake set in parkland and managed by the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Fish present are roach to 200g, carp to 3kg and short-finned eel to 2.5kg.

Blackburn Lake, Blackburn D 10
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Not shown on map. Melway 48 B 11.2ha.

Picnic facilities, open space, bush walks.

A shallow lake located in 17ha of bushland and managed by the City of Whitehorse. It contains carp and redfin, most of which were removed in January 2001 by electrofishing. Has water quality problems. Fishing is prohibited. Anglers liable to prosecution.

Brittania Creek, Warburton J 9
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A small creek with poor access being largely overgrown with introduced shrubs and blackberry. A fish survey found brown trout to 300g, river blackfish to 38g, short-finned eel to 108g, rainbow trout to 80g, mountain galaxias and small spiny crayfish. Not recommended as a fishing water.

Caulfied Racecourse Lake, Caulfield C 11
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Not shown on map. Melway 68 E 2.

A small artificial lake in the center of the Caulfield Racecourse and managed by the Victoria Amateur Turf Club. Parking inside the course. Access is available from 9am to 5pm except on race days. Enter by gate 22 on Station Road or Gate 9 on Kambrook Road. Within easy walking distance of Caulfield Station. Stocked annually with rainbow trout. Usually stocked with yearling trout prior to 2^nd term of the school holidays.

Coburg Lake, Coburg B 9
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Melway 17 J 10

A rock-ramp fishway on Merri Creek on which Coburg Lake is situated has been constructed.

A small ornamental lake on Merri Creek near the old Pentridge Prison. Turbid water, and overflows in heavy rains. Unsuitable for trout stocking. Contains short-finned eel, redfin, roach and carp.

Cockatoo Creek, Woori Yallock H 9
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A small tributary of the Woori Yallock Creek. Mostly shallow riffles with some pools to 150cm deep, sand substrate. Most of the lower reaches flow through the Yellingbo State Nature Reserve, and restrictions on fishing apply (See details in Woori Yallock Creek). Contains some small brown trout, river blackfish to 280g, roach to 300g, small spiny freshwater crayfish; short-headed lamprey ammocoetes, southern pygmy perch, and mountain galaxias.

Diamond Creek, Eltham D 7
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A small creek which together with a number of tributaries, including Arthurs Creek, rises west of Kinglake and flows for 40km through Eltham to the Yarra River. Channel width is 4m upstream to 8m in the lower reaches. Pools vary from 100+cm upstream, to 200+cm downstream. Gravel and rubble substrate. Upstream of Hurstbridge, it dries to a series of pools during summer. Downstream, it flows all year with better quality fish habitat downstream of Diamond Creek. Has areas with steep banks to 6m, and is unsuitable for wading.

Extensive deep pools from Eltham to near the mouth of the creek at the junction with the Yarra River. Contains some brown trout to 330g, redfin, short-finned eel, river blackfish, roach and carp. Other species recorded in the creek are goldfish, mountain galaxias, southern pygmy perch, Australian smelt; and broad-finned galaxias. It provides some good fishing for those with local knowledge.

Popular baits are garden worms, crickets and bread dough for roach. Golden perch have been reported caught in the creek near the Yarra River. Stocked near the Yarra River junction in 1999 with Macquarie perch by Native Fish Australia. Not usually stocked because of the movement of fish into the creek from the Yarra River.

Don River, Launching Place I 8
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A small creek (2-3m wide) with predominantly fast, shallow water, 10-30cm deep, gravel substrate. This is an important spawning and nursery area for brown trout from the Yarra River. It has abundant brown trout to 275g, river blackfish to 200g, roach and short-finned eels. Other species recorded are mountain galaxias, and the exotic oriental weatherloach. The creek is seldom fished by the serious angler.

Edwardes Park Lake, Reservoir B 8
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Not shown on Basin map. Melway 18 D 4.

An artificial lake on Edgars Creek, a tributary of Merri Creek. Managed by Darebin City Council. Prone to sedimentation. There were several attempts in the early 1980's to develop a trout fishery but this ceased because of unacceptable levels of water pollution (PCB’s). Contains mainly carp, and some roach, redfin and goldfish but NO fish should be eaten. Access is good from surrounding parkland and roads. Future stocking will depend on improved water quality.

Emerald Lake, Emerald G 10
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Not shown on Basin map. Melway 127 J 4

1.3ha. Picnic facilities, kiosk. Also called Lake Treganowan.

An ornamental lake on Wattle Creek, (a tributary of Cockatoo Creek), managed by Cardinia Shire Council. Contains redfin, roach, goldfish, rainbow trout to 1kg and some brown trout to 2kg. Fish are usually in good condition. Access is good but an entrance fee is charged. Stocked annually with rainbow trout for each of the 2^nd and 3^rd school term holidays plus more fish for a special event in Fishing Week. The council is currently developing a new management plan for the lake.

Grace Burn Creek, Healesville I 7
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Joins the Watts River at Healesville, gravel and rubble substrate. Average width 2m, shallow riffles 3-10cm, pools to 50cm, good habitat. Contains brown trout to 350g, short-finned eel to 600g, some river blackfish, and small redfin.

Healesville Showgrounds Lake, Healesville H 7
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1.5ha.

Managed by the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Access through the Showgrounds in Don Road on days other than when a major event involving fee admission is occurring. Bank fishing only. Contains redfin to 1kg and goldfish. Stocked occasionally during the cooler months of the year for special events.

Jack Roper Reserve A 11
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Not shown on map. Melway 7 B 11.

4ha. Picnic facilities.

Small lake surrounded by open recreational area and good bank access. Contains good-sized redfin and carp which can be caught on earthworms and bread dough. Stocked annually with rainbow trout for each of the 2^nd and 3^rd term school holidays, plus a further allocation of fish for a special event in Fishing Week.

Hotties (see Newport Power Station Channel)

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	Lilydale Lake

Lilydale Lake, Lilydale F 9
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27ha. Toilets, picnic facilities, playground, swimming, non-powered boating.

Managed by the Shire of Yarra Ranges, this shallow (2 to 2.5m deep) flood-retarding basin is located on Olinda Creek, south of Lilydale. Access from the Lilydale/ Montrose Road. No fishing permitted in the beach area but most of the shoreline is accessible to anglers, see signs.

Handicapped fishing access to be constructed. Contains mostly carp, rainbow trout, redfin to 1kg, roach and short-finned eel. Stocked annually (usually May and again in October for Fishing Week) with rainbow trout but fish rarely survive the summer because of high water temperatures.

Lilydale Lake

Fishing methods include bubble floats with maggots and dough and lures for redfin and trout.

For current conditions check with the Parks Office at the Lake Community Room (9735 8470) weekdays.

A minimum environmental flow must be maintained in Olinda Creek below the Lake and fishing in this section of the creek occasionally produces some good results.

Little Yarra River, Launching Place J 10
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Width 6m, extensive areas with water 50-80cm deep, sand substrate with small patches of rubble/gravel in riffles. Banks 1-2m high. Good summer flow and patches of good instream habitat (bank cover and debris). Contains abundant brown trout av. 100g, (max. 600g), some small rainbow trout, river blackfish, short-finned eel, and roach. Also some mountain galaxias, short-headed lamprey, pouched lamprey, southern pygmy perch, and possibly Australian smelt. Not stocked since 1958.

Macclesfield Creek, Woori Yallock H 10
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Tributary of the Yarra River not named on the map. Fish present are short-finned eel, river blackfish to 80g, small redfin and roach.

Maroondah Reservoir, Healesville I 7
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197ha. 28,600ML. Excellent picnic facilities and passive recreation. No swimming or boating.

Major water storage managed by Melbourne Water as part of Melbourne's water supply system. Reservoir and upstream waters are closed to fishing and there is no access to the catchment. A section of the Watts River downstream of the Reservoir, is accessible in the picnic area. However, fishing here is unsatisfactory because of shallow water. (The Watts River can also be accessed further downstream.)

McMahons Creek, East Warburton M 9
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A small creek 4m wide, flowing through open forest. Riffles 20-30cm deep and pools to 85cm. Sand substrate in the pools and rubble in the riffles. Excellent aquatic habitat. There is a diversion dam for urban supply and no fishing is permitted upstream of the dam. Departmental fish surveys found numerous small river blackfish, short-finned eel and brown trout.

New Chum Creek, Healseville H 6
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Also called Chum Creek.

Flows into the Watts River downstream of Maroondah Reservoir. Contains small brown trout to 200g in the lower reaches, short-finned eel, small redfin and river blackfish. Last stocked with trout in 1959.

Newport Power Station Channel, Newport A 10
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Not shown on map. Melway 56 B 3

Coolant water discharge channel to Port Phillip Bay (at the mouth of the Yarra River) from gas-turbine power generating station. Fish present in the channel are usually black bream, mullet, tailor, occasional mulloway and some good-sized "pinky" snapper. Fishing results depend on water conditions with best catches when the station is operating and there is a flow of warm water, which attracts fish into the channel.

Olinda Creek, Lilydale F 8
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Small stream flowing from the Dandenong Ranges to join the Yarra River below Yarra Glen. Silvan Reservoir and Lillydale Lake are located on the creek. Between the two storage's, the creek contains small spiny crayfish, some brown trout to 250g, and short-finned eel to 450g. Downstream of Lillydale Lake there are roach (av. 100g), short-finned eel, some brown trout and redfin. This section of the creek produces good fishing results but observe the ‘no entry signs’. Last stocked with trout in 1952.

O'Shannassy River, Warburton K 7
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Upper reaches and catchment above O'Shannassy Reservoir (water storage Melbourne urban supply) closed to fishing. The river downstream is 6m wide with riffles to 20cm and most pools less than 40cm deep. It has a boulder substrate and provides little habitat for larger fish. Not surveyed but contains small brown trout. Not worth fishing. No vehicle access upstream from the junction of the Yarra River because of a locked gate.

Plenty River, Whittlesea C 7
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Rises in the Great Dividing Range north of Whittlesea and flows south through flat farmland, a river gorge, then suburban Melbourne to the Yarra River. The river and catchment area above Toorourong Reservoir (Melbourne Water urban supply) is closed to the public. Water is also diverted into Yan Yean Reservoir (Melbourne Water urban supply) downstream of Whittlesea. Flow downstream of the reservoirs is regulated by Melbourne Water.

Has a low summer flow, high water temperature and some pollution which results in occasional fish deaths in the lower reaches. The creek is small upstream of Whittlesea and often stops flowing during summer although there is some permanent water in pools 80-100cm deep. The section of river from Whittlesea to South Morang is up to 5m wide with pools to 100+cm deep. It has some areas of good instream habitat but summer flow can be low or cease. Access is mostly through private property. The river flows through steep terrain at the gorge area at South Morang. There is no wading but access along the gorge is possible. There are extensive pools to 150+cm deep.

Flow can cease during summer but the pools hold water and maintain permanent habitat. Access from here downstream to Greensborough is difficult because most of the creek is in a Melbourne Parks and Waters Conservation Area. There is some good instream habitat around Greensborough although the banks are steep with extensive introduced and native riparian vegetation. Channel width is 10m with mostly pools to 100+cm, with sand substrate, and rubble in some riffles. The lower reaches usually have some flow all year.

Fish present downstream from Toorourong Reservoir are short-finned eel, common galaxias, mountain galaxias and southern pygmy perch. The west branch also contains goldfish, redfin and mosquitofish. In addition the lower reaches contain roach, flat-headed gudgeon, oriental weatherloach and occasional brown trout. Last stocked with trout in 1969. The river is not recognised as an angling water but provides some fishing for locals.

Ringwood Lake

Ringwood Lake, Ringwood E 10
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Less than 1ha. Excellent recreational facilities. No boating

An ornamental lake located near Maroondah Highway in Ringwood. Water quality has been a problem for fish survival and growth. Contains small redfin, abundant goldfish, roach and carp to 5kg. A screen has been installed at the outlet and it was stocked in 1999 with 140 large (20-30cm) golden perch. It has not been stocked since.

Roxburgh Park Lakes A 7
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	One of the Roxburgh Park Lakes

Not shown on map. Melway 179 H 8

Three lakes total area 1ha. Picnic area and parking at the southern lake.

All the lakes are located in a suburban housing estate and are surrounded by small passive recreation areas. They have good access although the southern lake has rushes around 70% of shoreline. Stocked annually with yearling rainbow trout prior to 2^nd and 3^rd term school holidays.

Sheepstation Creek, Woori Yallock H 10
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Not shown on map. Contains short-finned eel to 400g, small river blackfish and roach.

Silvan Reservoir, Olinda G 10
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333ha. 40,200ML.

Water storage managed by Melbourne Water forming part of Melbourne's urban supply. Reservoir and upstream catchment closed to fishing.

Starvation Creek, Warburton L 8
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Flows in State Forest with a parallel road. A small creek (width 4-6m) with riffles 15-20cm deep and pools to 40cm. Rubble substrate with silt on the edge of pools. Good fish habitat. Contains small short-finned eel, river blackfish to 220g, numerous brown trout to 200g and spiny crayfish.

Sugarloaf Reservoir, Christmas Hills E 8
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400ha. 95,000 ML. Wading, swimming prohibited. Closed to public boating.

A large storage managed by Melbourne Water and filled by pumping from the Yarra River at Yering (Coldstream). Water is treated before transfer to Melbourne. Access to the Saddle Dam Park and fishing area from the reservoir reserve from the Eltham/Yarra Glen Road. Open during daylight saving, 10am-8pm. Outside daylight saving, open weekdays 10am-4pm; weekends and public holidays 10am-5pm. Contains brown trout to 3.7kg; (av. 1.4kg); rainbow trout to 1.0kg; carp to 4kg; redfin (av.700g-920g), roach to 300g and occasional short-finned eel.

Successful fishing methods include Rapala and Celta lures and fly-fishing. Artificial lures or flies only permitted. No natural baits or burley, including bread or corn, is permitted. For most of the area where fishing is permitted, the banks are open with no vegetation. No cleaning of fish in the reservoir. Use fish cleaning facilities and offal bin provided. Note that mercury levels in redfin are above the statutory limit. Stocked with trout until 2000 when Melbourne Water withdrew permission to stock.

Toorourong Reservoir, Whittlesea D 4
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24ha. 7,000ML. Picnic facilities but no swimming, fishing or boating.

Melbourne urban supply reservoir managed by Melbourne Water. Catchment upstream and reservoir is closed to fishing and boating.

Upper Yarra Reservoir, Warburton M 8
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750ha. 206,400ML. Picnic facilities but no swimming or boating

Melbourne urban supply reservoir managed by Melbourne Water. Catchment upstream including the Yarra River and reservoir is closed to fishing and boating. Receives water from the inflowing upper Yarra River and from Thomson Reservoir via a pipeline.

Watts River, Healesville J 7
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The river upstream of the Maroondah Reservoir is a Melbourne Water catchment area and is closed to fishing. Downstream it flows through forest for 1km then through farmland and Healesville into the Yarra River. Flow is regulated by releases from Maroondah Reservoir and can be low at times. Accessible at many localities. River width varies from 3-5m, water depth is 5-30cm in the riffles and up to 50cm in pools just below the reservoir increasing to more than 100cm in the lower reaches. Substrate is rubble below the reservoir and silt further downstream.

Fish habitat in the lower reaches is good. Angling fish species include short-finned eel, river blackfish to 1kg, redfin to 500g, roach, and brown trout to 1.2kg. Other species are mountain galaxias, pouched lamprey, oriental weatherloach, short-headed lamprey, southern pygmy perch, and Australian smelt. Fishing is best downstream of Mount St Leonards Road however the banks are steep and the whole area of each pool cannot be easily reached. Successful baits for short-finned eel, river blackfish and redfin are scrubworms drifted on the bottom, and bread dough for roach. This is quite a good fishing-water for river blackfish.

Whittlesea Botanical Gardens, Thomastown B 7
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Not shown on map. Melway 8 B 4.

Small lake managed by Whittlesea City Council and stocked annually with rainbow trout for 'Access All Abilities' fishing day. Contact Northcote and Fawkner/Merlynston Angling Clubs for details and stocking dates.

Woori Yallock Creek, Woori Yallock H 10
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	Woori Yallock Creek

Flows through flat farmland downstream of Yellingbo. Up to 6m wide with extensive pools 100+cm deep and riffles 30-40cm. Clay and sand bottom in pools with patches of gravel in riffles. Has a good summer flow. Access is good at Maroondah Highway where car parking is available, but much of the creek (particularly in the lower reaches near the Yarra River) can only be reached through private property. Upstream of Yellingbo, the creek flows for 5km through the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.

The Reserve is an area of riparian forest set aside to protect an endangered bird, the Helmeted Honeyeater, Lichenostomus melanops cassidix, (the Victorian avifaunal emblem). The reserve area is sign-posted and fenced-off and anglers are asked not to enter the reserve along the creek channel. No recreational activities or disturbance of the land or creek are permitted within the reserve. This is the last remaining population of this bird species and must be left undisturbed. Fish present include short-finned eel, river blackfish to 175g, roach to 150g, small spiny crayfish and brown trout to 350g (av. 100g). Also contains mountain galaxias, Australian smelt, goldfish, carp, mosquitofish, southern pygmy perch and short-headed lamprey. Freshwater mussels are common in this creek.

Yan Yean Reservoir, Yan Yean C 6
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560ha. 32,900ML. Picnic area but no swimming or boating.

Urban water supply managed by Melbourne Water and closed to fishing.

Yarra River, Melbourne P 9 to A 10
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A rock-ramp fishway has been installed at Dights Falls opening up 120km of river to migratory species.

Upstream of Upper Yarra Reservoir

Catchment area of Melbourne Water Supply. Closed to fishing. No access. No information on fish populations.

Upper Yarra Reservoir to Warburton L 8

Flows parallel to the Warburton/Woods Point Highway for 35km and is very accessible despite steep banks at some localities Flows through forest with clear water and extensive, often turbulent rapids. Channel width is 4-16m with pools to 170cm deep. Gravel, rubble and boulder substrate. The river is very small and unsuitable for angling immediately downstream of the Reservoir because of low releases (av. 10ML/d), but further downstream it becomes larger and is the most productive section of the Yarra for fishing. Angling fish include brown trout to 1.5kg, (av. 200g), river blackfish to 400g, short-finned eel, roach and small redfin.

Other species are pouched lamprey, short-headed lamprey, mountain galaxias, rainbow trout, redfin and Australian smelt. A popular area for brown trout fishing is upstream of the Caravan Park at Warburton. Fish can be caught using a variety of fishing methods and much of the river is wadeable. Fishing for river blackfish has improved since 1987. Contains a self-sustaining population of brown trout and is not stocked.

Photo: Brown trout

Warburton to Woori Yallock J 9

The channel in this 14 km length of river is of a similar size to the section above, but with more numerous deep pools. It is very popular with anglers with good numbers of brown trout to 500g and occasional fish to 1kg. Access is good. There is rock and gravel substrate from Warburton to Milgrove, then increasing areas of sand substrate. There are some very deep pools at Wesburn and some quite large trout (1+kg) and abundant roach to 250g can be taken from this area.

Other angling fish are some rainbow trout to 400g, redfin to 300g, river blackfish to 900g and short-finned eel. Other species present are those listed upstream and also mosquitofish and southern pygmy perch. Carp may be present but are not common. Stocking with trout ceased in 1989 because surveys found that natural spawning maintains the trout population. The area is suitable for all fishing methods and is excellent for fly-fishing during November-December particularly in the early evening.

Woori Yallock to Healesville

This section has a channel width to 20m with pools to 260cm deep. Substrate is mostly sand and there is some bank erosion and sedimentation. Riparian vegetation is often only scattered eucalypts. Access is difficult as the river is 1.5km from the road and flows through private property. Public access is possible at Woori Yallock and Healesville. The most abundant fish are brown trout to 500g, and roach, with occasional rainbow trout, some redfin, river blackfish and short-finned eels. Other species listed upstream may also occur in this reach. Note that there have been few surveys of this section since 1969 and few angler reports of species caught. A comprehensive survey in 1967 and 1969 found the river at the Maroondah Highway bridge at Healesville had a lower number of fish than anywhere else in the river.

Healesville to Warrandyte

The river flows in a wide flood plain for much of its length with restricted access because of the lack of public roads. River width is up to 25m with depths to 3m. Sand is the predominant substrate although there are extensive areas of mud and gravel. Downstream to Tarrawarra it contains some brown trout (av.220g), but mostly roach, redfin and eels. From Tarrawarra to Yarra Glen it is more productive with the same species as above but with a very good population of Macquarie perch downstream of Yarra Glen. These have become established as a self-sustaining population from stocking in 1909 to 1927 plus earlier translocation of larger fish.

Moderate numbers of carp are now present. Near Wonga Park and through Warrandyte, the river is deeply entrenched in a steep-sided valley. There are extensive pools to 3m deep and channel width is up to 34m. Substrate is largely rock. This is a fairly unproductive section, because of the bedrock, redfin and roach are the most abundant fish. Some Macquarie perch and Murray cod occur in this area. Fishing through this area is best carried out from the bank or from small, portable boats, because wading is difficult.

Warrandyte to Lower Plenty

Macquarie perch

Flows through a lightly timbered gorge and then increasingly an urban area. Extensive sluggish pools with mud and rock substrate. Good access at parks and roads. Wading is impossible in most locations because of water depths. Contains redfin, roach, abundant carp, occasional brown trout and river blackfish. There is a population of Macquarie perch and some Murray cod. Freshwater catfish have been caught at Westerfolds Park and Eltham in the late 1980's.

Twenty fish species have been collected in the river from Yarra Glen to Lower Plenty. These include all species listed in the Basin introduction except for Yarra pygmy perch which are now considered extinct in the river and Australian mudfish which only occur downstream of Dights Falls. (Australian grayling and common galaxias have re-entered the river since a fish ladder was installed on Dights Falls by Melbourne Water in 1994).

Lower Plenty to Dights Falls

Flows as a wide sluggish river through Melbourne but has parkland along most of its length and is very accessible. Riffles are 40-80cm deep but predominant water is pools 100-250cm deep with maximum depths of 350cm. Rock, gravel and mud substrate. Fish are predominantly redfin to 1kg, carp to 5kg and roach to 300g. Also some brown trout, goldfish, short-finned eel, and golden perch. Fifteen fish species have been collected in recent years. This section has been only occasionally surveyed.

Dights Falls Melway Map 2D B 6

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	Bream

A fish ladder was installed at Dights Falls in 1994 resulting in species such as Australian grayling and common galaxias, which had vanished from the freshwater section above the Falls, moving upstream into the Yarra River and being recorded in anglers catches as far upstream as Launching Place

Below Dights Falls

Flows sluggishly through Melbourne and into Port Phillip Bay. Freshwater species occurring upstream can be caught below the falls during high river flows. The lower reaches are affected by saline water intrusion from the sea and can contain black bream, sea mullet, flathead, 'pinky' snapper, mulloway to 20kg, Australian salmon, trevally, and occasionally Australian bass. This latter species is thought to have been illegally stocked, as the accepted southeastern limit of their range is thought to be Wilsons Promontory.

This section of the river is under-fished and access is good. Fishing is permitted along the banks through Melbourne City and to the mouth of the river, although there are some restrictions at North Wharf and other wharves. Some good catches of black bream are made at times. Best bait is bass yabbies. Fishing from boats either moored or drifting is NOT permitted below Docklands to the mouth of the Yarra River.

Fishways
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Fishway on the Merri River

The unimpeded passage of fish throughout streams is crucial for spawning migrations, re-colonisations, general movement and habitat selection. Seventy percent of native fish species in Victoria's coastal drainages need to migrate to or from the sea at some stage in their life cycle. (From J.D Koehn & W.G.O'Connor 1990. Biological Information for Management of Native Freshwater Fish in Victoria. Dept. Conservation & Environment). Some species such as eels need to move out to sea to spawn.

Others, such as the short-headed lamprey, need to run up from the sea into fresh water to spawn. Many species such as the common galaxias and tupong, run down into the estuary to spawn and then the young juvenile fish need to be able to return upstream. Some fish spawn in the fresh water but their larvae are washed into the estuary and the juvenile fish then need to return upstream into fresh water. Unfortunately over the last 200 years a multitude of barriers have been constructed in our rivers. They range from low barriers at flow gauging stations, causeways and road crossings to dams, weirs and drop structures.

A total of 1,145 barriers are present on rivers north of the Divide and 1,293 barriers occur on coastal streams. In the late 1990's a 'Fishway Program' was commenced as a joint project of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission and the Department and the construction of fishways was funded by these, and other authorities, including Melbourne Water. By December 2002, a total of 58 fishways had been completed on 32 rivers, opening up a total of 4,465km of new sections of river to migratory fish.

This will extend the distribution of many species, increasing their number and allow them to colonise new habitat thus providing additional protection for the long-term survival of species. It will also extend the distribution and possibly abundance of migratory angling species such as Australian bass and golden perch as well as fish such as Murray cod which undertake extensive upstream migration to spawn. Fishways are therefore of great value for both conservation and recreational reasons. Sites for another 14 fishways are currently under investigation. Further information on the State Fishway Program is available from The Waterways Unit, DSE, Melbourne (9412 4050).

© The State of Victoria