Fishing & Aquaculture

A Guide to the Inland Angling Waters of Victoria
River Basins Map | Angling Waters A-Z | Barwon River basin

Angling Waters of the Barwon River Basin 33

Barwon River, Geelong G 11
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	Barwon River at Buckley Falls

Upstream of Winchelsea the fishery is managed by the SW DPI. Rock-ramp fishways have been installed at Baum's Weir, Buckleys Falls, Lower breakwater, Pollocksford Weir and Ricketts Marsh gauge.

Tributaries of the West Branch of the Barwon River

There are several small tributaries (Gosling, Matthews, Callahan, Dewing and Pennyroyal Creeks) flowing into the Barwon River upstream of Birregurra. Water is diverted from all of them into the Wurdiboluc Inlet then sent to Wurdiboluc Reservoir. Channel width averages around 2-5m, with pools 40-130cm deep. Substrate is mud. Contain abundant short-finned eel, some brown trout in Matthews Creek, abundant southern pygmy perch, numerous mountain galaxias, and common galaxias. Matthew, Callahans and Dewing Creeks are the larger waterways although not generally considered to be angling waters.

Forrest to Birregurra B 15

This is a 32km section of the Barwon River with a channel averaging 5-9m in width and with pools to 220cm deep. Substrate is mud becoming sand downstream. There is good native riparian vegetation and willows. Some sections have good fish habitat, particularly at Forrest and at Birregurra. Angling fish are brown trout to 600g, redfin, river blackfish to 200g and short-finned eel. Other species are southern pygmy perch, mountain galaxias and common galaxias. This section of the river provides quite good angling but is little fished, except by locals.

Birregurra to Winchelsea D 13

A 25km section of river flowing through farmland with an average width of 10-12m and with pools 150-230cm deep. Substrate is sand and mud. Contains redfin, brown trout, short-finned-eel and river blackfish with the last two species being most abundant. Other species are the same as upstream plus a few spotted galaxias, and flat-headed gudgeon. Access can be restricted because of private property and dense bank vegetation of blackberry. Not a popular section of the river for angling.

Barwon River above Ceres

Winchelsea to the Weir upstream of Buckleys Falls D 11

From Winchelsea downstream the fishery is managed by Port Phillip Fisheries, DPI.

This 35km length of the river has some very extensive pools particularly between Winchelsea and Inverleigh and between Ceres and the Weir. The width of the channel now varies from 17-25m. Pool depth is up to 470cm. Substrate varies from sand, mud and clay in the pools to rubble and gravel in the riffles.

Basalt rock occurs at some localities. Flows through flat farmland with scattered red gums along much of the bank. Most abundant angling fish are tench, short-finned eel, redfin and brown trout. Other species are river blackfish, common galaxias, spotted galaxias, tupong, Australian grayling, Australian smelt, flat-headed gudgeon, and goldfish.

Between the Weir and Buckleys Falls H 11

This is a 400m length of river consisting of a deep pool surrounded by parkland. It contains abundant short-finned eel, some brown trout and a few redfin. Other species are Australian grayling, common galaxias and Australian smelt, and some flat-headed gudgeon and goldfish.

Buckleys Falls to the lower breakwater 1.5km upstream of Lake Connewarre I 12

This is an 18km stretch of pools 4-6m deep in a channel up to 59m wide. Substrate is mud and clay. Good access at extensive parkland (Queens Park) in the Geelong City area. Extensive rushes and cumbungi along the banks restrict access downstream. Suitable for bank and boat fishing. This section carries a very extensive range of fish. Angling species are carp, short-finned eel, redfin, brown trout (downstream of the Falls), tench and tupong. Other species are very abundant common galaxias and Australian grayling; also spotted galaxias, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, small-mouthed hardyhead, goldfish, pouched lamprey and mosquitofish. This reach of the river contains one of the best populations of Australian grayling of any water in Victoria.

Trout and redfin can be taken on lures (Tassie Devil, Rapala CD5, McGrath diving lure, variety of minnow styled lures) and baits such as scrubworms, mudeyes, crickets and yabbies. Corn and worms take carp. This section of the river is popular with anglers being close to Geelong, however good fishing is also available further upstream.

Five rock ramp fishways have been built since 1995 opening up 450km of river to migratory fish species and will be particularly valuable in maintaining and extending the range of Australian grayling in this river.

Lower Barwon downstream of Lake Connewarre (Estuarine Waters) J 13

The channel is 50m wide and 3-4m deep and extends for 10km. It shallows to 1-2m deep at Barwon Heads. This section is under tidal influence. Accessible for bank and boat fishing, launching ramps near Barwon Heads and Ocean Grove. A wide range of estuarine fish species occur. Common fish are Australian salmon, sand mullet, yellow-eye mullet, flathead, trevally, black bream and whiting. At times mulloway are present. An incoming tide in the early morning is a good time to fish. A variety of baits (pipis, whitebait, Bass yabbies, etc) are worth trying, as well as spinners for salmon and trevally.

Connewarre Lake, Geelong J 12
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950 ha. Port Phillip DPI. Ramsar listed. Boating permitted but motors are limited to 7.5kw (10hp).

A large shallow (av. depth 100cm) estuarine lagoon in the lower reaches of the Barwon River. Sedimentation from the Barwon River has resulted in a silty-clay substrate. It is commercially fished for short-finned eel. Salinity fluctuates from fresh to salt water depending on the balance between the inflows of fresh water from the river and the limited tidal influence from the sea at Barwon Heads. Fish are predominantly yellow-eye mullet, short-finned eel, black bream and some Australian salmon. Brown trout, carp, redfin, flounder, sea mullet, tupong, trevally estuary perch, luderick, short-headed lamprey, whiting and tailor are also present at times, depending on salinities in the lake.

Common galaxias, Australian smelt and broad-finned galaxias move through the lake to spawn with a return of juvenile fish upstream into the Barwon River. Access is good to several localities on the northern side and to one location (Taits Point) on the southern side. Most successful fishing is from boats. No constructed launching ramp. Best fishing for black bream is October to February when water is brackish but yellow-eye mullet are abundant all year. SW winds can be severe resulting in very choppy conditions because of the shallow water.

Drysdale Lake (see Lorne Lake) K 12

	Rainbow trout

Gong Gong Reservoir D 3
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25ha. 1,902ML. Not on the Basin map.

Ballarat domestic water storage managed by Central Highlands Region Water Authority. Contains short-finned eel, goldfish, redfin, tench, brown trout to 3.5 kg and smaller-sized rainbow trout. Stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout. It is open to fishing but a permit to fish must be obtained from the water authority. Lures and fly-fishing are both successful.

Leigh River (see Yarrowee River) D 9

Lorne Lake, Drysdale K 12
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There are two lakes. One is usually dry and the other contains redfin and short-finned eel. Very weedy and difficult to fish. Earlier attempts at trout stocking in the 1970’s and 1980’s were unsuccessful.

Northern boat ramp

Modewarre Lake, Mt Moriac F 12
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414ha. 13,900ML. Port Phillip DPI. There are toilets and a boat ramp at the north end of the lake.

Surrounded by flat farmland, mud bottom. Extensive beds of the aquatic weed, red milfoil, have spread over the western half of the lake, providing excellent cover for fish and making fishing difficult from boats and virtually impossible from the northern and western shores. The abundant population of galaxias is food for trout and produces exceptional fishing for large fish in cooler, wetter years. The lake has produced brown trout to 4.5kg (av. 2kg) and rainbow trout to 3kg. However the combination of high nutrient levels and shallow water results in a high probability of algal blooms in dry, hot, calm conditions.

Brown trout

Trout are subject to infestation with red worms (Eustrongyloides), which are not harmful to humans, however it makes the flesh of the fish very soft. Other fish are redfin to 1.4kg, short finned eel, tench to 1kg, carp av. 8kg, Australian smelt, flat-headed gudgeon, common galaxias and roach. The lake is fished commercially for eels. Stocked regularly with brown trout and rainbow trout.

This water is part of a stocking trial being conducted in a number of waters to evaluate the relative return to anglers and the financial efficiency of stocking larger and smaller fish.

Trolling with Tassie Devil style lures around the lake margins is often very successful. The lake may be closed on various days each year for powerboat racing.

Murdeduke Lake, Winchelsea C11
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1,133 ha. 20,700ML. Boat launching. SW DPI. Ramsar.

Rainbow trout

Surrounded by grazing land, mud bottom. Main access is via Fishermans Lane, through private property, on the eastern side of the lake. This access is reached from Winchelsea by taking Gosney Road (turn off from the Highway on the western side of the town) which becomes Cressy Road. Approximately 2km from Winchelsea turn right onto Shelford Road then travel 5.6km and turn into Fishermans Lane which takes you to the lake. Prior permission to enter is not required, but continued access is dependent on respect being shown for property and stock.

There is also access to the south end of the lake from Cressy Road. Boat size limited by the earthen launching ramp at the end of Fishermans Lane, and the track conditions and shallow margins of the lake at the southern access. There are submerged reefs in the middle of the western shore and the lake becomes very rough in windy conditions. Contains rainbow trout, chinook salmon, short-finned eel, and common galaxias. Most fishing is for rainbow trout to 3kg with most fish between 1 and 1.5kg and chinook salmon averaging 1.3kg. Chinook salmon were last stocked in 1999. Has not been stocked with rainbow trout or Chinook salmon in recent years due to very low water level.

The lake can produce spectacular fishing in good seasons but is prone to algal blooms and fish deaths in hot, dry conditions. It is fished commercially for short-finned eels.

Seagull Paddock Lake, Geelong H 11
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Port Phillip DPI. Melway 226 A 2

A small, ornamental lake on Cowies Creek, opposite the Ford factory in Geelong. Stocked each year in September, with a small number of rainbow trout yearlings for a special fishing day for junior and disabled anglers (The Ron Nelson Junior Angling Clinic).

Wendouree Lake, Ballarat C 3
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	Rainbow trout

215ha. 3,700ML. SW DPI.

A shallow weedy lake situated in Ballarat. Small power boats are permitted. Closed to trout fishing during the trout closed season. Contains predominantly brown trout to 2.5kg, (av. 900g), rainbow trout to 1.5kg, redfin to 1kg, (av. 630g), tench to 1.8kg, carp and goldfish to 600g. The Department stocks rainbow trout and occasionally brown trout. The Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society also stocks brown trout in most years. Springtime provides the best fishing for rainbow trout while summer and autumn is the best time for brown trout. Best fishing for brown trout is during late evening into the night. Rainbow trout can be taken during the day. A 12 month creel survey was undertaken in 2002.

Research:
Lake Wendouree - Angler survey results (PDF 160kb)
Evaluating strategies to further improve Lake Wendouree's trout fishing (PDF 163kb)
Mid-season stocking improves Lake Wendouree rainbow trout fishing (PDF 156kb)

Flyfishing

West Barwon Reservoir, Forrest B17
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180ha. 21,90ML. SW DPI. Boating, wading and fishing from structures are prohibited.

A domestic water supply surrounded by forested mountains and managed by Barwon Water. Fishing by permit only, obtainable from GSRW. Access around the lake is difficult because of the terrain. Carries brown trout and rainbow trout to 2.5kg and redfin to 1kg. Stocked regularly with rainbow trout. There is adequate spawning for brown trout in the inflowing river. Floating mudeyes and minnows, as well as lures such as Tassie Devil are successful means of taking trout.

Williamson Creek, Clarendon D 6
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A tributary of the Yarrowee River flowing through farmland. Carries good redfin, small brown trout and short finned eel. Local knowledge required for best results.

Wurdiboluc Reservoir, Winchelsea E 13
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Rainbow trout

415ha. 19,230ML. SW DPI. Domestic storage managed by Barwon Region Water Authority.

Surrounded by flat farmland, mud substrate. A large shallow reservoir which stores water from the West Barwon Dam and tributaries of the upper Barwon River via the Wurdiboluc Inlet Channel, before supplying Geelong. Contains brown trout, rainbow trout, roach and redfin. Bank angling only is permitted and only in a specified 500m long area of shoreline. Good facilities are provided nearby. Stocking recommenced in 1998 and the reservoir is becoming a popular fishing water with good catches of trout. Stocked with brown trout and rainbow trout.

Yarrowee River, Inverleigh D 8
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Yarrowee River

Also known as the Leigh River. Flows through farmland and is in moderate environmental condition. However water is polluted from sewage water disposal and unsafe for drinking or swimming. Can have low summer flows. Contains brown trout to 900g, although usually smaller, redfin to 450g, short-finned eel and tench.

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