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Fishing & Aquaculture Banner: Fishing and Acquaculture

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

Angling Waters of the Otway Basin 35

Aire River, Hordern Vale H 10
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...... Photo: Aire River
 
Aire River

Rises in forested mountains with a high annual rainfall of 2,000mm. Pine plantations upstream of Hopetoun Falls and native forest downstream to the Great Ocean Road. There is then farmland downstream with 9km of estuary water. The upper reaches are 6-8m wide consisting of predominantly shallow water with no pools.

Rubble, boulder, gravel and sand substrate. Has good habitat for macroinvertebrates, small-sized fish and spawning grounds for brown trout. The middle reaches are 18-26m wide, with pools to 160cm deep and rock and sand substrate. There is dense riparian vegetation of Myrtle Beech, Nothofagus cunninghamii. Access is restricted and difficult due to distance from roads, steep gradients and dense vegetation. There are a limited number of sites for tent camping at Aire Crossing. Contains brown trout to 2kg, with numerous large brown trout 30-50cm in length, estuary perch, Australian grayling, short-finned eel, and river blackfish.

Also common galaxias, mountain galaxias, spotted galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, tupong, Australian smelt, flat-headed gudgeon, pouched lamprey, short-headed lamprey, rainbow trout, occasional tench and Australian mudfish. Platypus are abundant in the middle and lower reaches. Fly fishing and wading is possible in the upper reaches. Minnow style lures and wet flies are also successful in the pools. The estuary contains the usual species such as black bream, mullet, Australian salmon, and flounder. Access for boat and bank fishing at the mouth and for bank fishing at the highway bridge. There is a substantial camping area around the estuary with adequate access for caravans.

 


Allen Reservoir, Lorne M 8
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4ha. 220ML. Also called Allenvale Reservoir.

Town water supply surrounded by forested mountains. Bank fishing only permitted. Carries a self-sustaining population of small brown trout with occasional fish to 400g. Vehicle access to within 500m of the reservoir.

 


...... Photo: Anglesea River
 
Anglesea River

Anglesea River, Anglesea O 5
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A small river flowing from forested mountains to farmland. Rock substrate upstream and mud downstream. Very limited value for freshwater fishing with only common galaxias, short-finned eel, spotted galaxias, southern pygmy perch and tupong. The estuary provides some good fishing for black bream to 1kg. Other species present are estuary perch, trevally and luderick.

 

 


Barham River, Apollo Bay I 10
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A rock-ramp fishway has been constructed on the East Branch at the Paradise Gauge and two culverts on the same waterway needing fishways are being evaluated.

Small, shallow, fast-flowing creek but considered to be one of the best brown trout streams in the Otways. Rises in forest, then flows through farmland. The west branch flows in relatively undisturbed forest. It is 2-6m wide with extensive shallow water mostly less than 60cm deep. Substrate is rubble and gravel. Contains small brown trout (av. less than 140g). The east branch is more accessible with a larger channel and deeper pools, rock and mud substrate.

Angling fish include brown trout to 700g, short-finned eel, tupong and estuary perch. Other freshwater species present are common galaxias, flat-headed gudgeon, Australian smelt, spotted galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, short-headed lamprey and mosquitofish. The freshwater section can have low summer flows and fishing is best at higher flows. The estuary contains black bream, mullet, Australian salmon and flounder.

 


Bream Creek (see Thompsons Creek) O 4


Carisbrook Creek, Wye River K 9
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A culvert on the old road crossing has been removed to allow fish passage.

A small creek flowing from forested mountains then in farmland. Has rapids and cascades near the coast and some good pools just upstream of the highway. It has a small estuary with occasional mullet and Australian salmon. Contains brown trout in the pools, also Australian grayling, common galaxias, short-finned eel, pouched lamprey, spotted galaxias, tupong and broad-finned galaxias.

 


Carlisle River, Gellibrand G 8
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This is a short tributary of the Gellibrand River rising in forested mountains upstream of Arkins Creek then flowing through farmland with willows or replanted native riparian vegetation. Channel width downstream of Arkins Creek is up to 6m with sand and mud substrate. Pool depth varies from 80-150cm. Access is difficult because of private property. Not a recognized angling water but contains river blackfish, short-finned eel, brown trout, short-headed lamprey, spotted galaxias and common galaxias.

 


Cobden Lake, Cobden C 4
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1ha.

A small lake not generally recommended for angling and occasionally stocked with rainbow trout when conditions are suitable.

 


Cumberland River, Lorne L 8
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A rock-ramp fishway has been constructed at a gauge site and a road crossing culvert has been modified for fish passage.

Flows from the Otway Ranges to south of Lorne. Small creek 5m wide, carrying a self-sustaining population of small brown trout max. 800g, which provides some angling. Other fish are Australian grayling, common galaxias, short-finned eel, pouched lamprey, spotted galaxias, tupong, and broad-finned galaxias. Successful fishing methods include fly fishing and drifting baits. A very shallow estuary provides little angling.

 


Curdies River, Peterborough A 7
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...... Photo: Curdies Creek Waterfall
 
Curdies Creek Waterfall

A long river draining Lake Purrumbete. Flows through flat farmland of volcanic and finely textured unconsolidated soils. Substrate is mud and sand with some rubble in some riffles. Channel varies from shallow sections choked with aquatic vegetation and willows to quite extensive pools with widths of 10m and water depths up to 2m. Although most of the river is in poor environmental condition, the lower reaches around Timboon have good fish habitat with shelter for fish along the bank and in the deeper water. Freshwater angling species include brown trout to 2kg, short-finned eel, redfin, tupong and estuary perch. Scrubworms, woodgrubs and mudeyes presented under a bubble float are preferred baits. Also contains common galaxias, Australian smelt, spotted galaxias, and southern pygmy perch.

Best fishing is in the extensive estuary (16km upstream from Peterborough to Curdie Vale). Regarded as a good black bream fishery with fish to 2kg but also contains other estuary species such as estuary perch, Australian salmon to 300g, luderick, flounder and small trevally. A variety of baits (podworm, black crabs, whitebait, prawn, pipis) are successful. A boat is necessary for best fishing access. Launching ramps are at Curdie Vale, upstream of the bridge, and on the northern side of Peterborough. Line should be less than 3 kg, with a heavier shock leader, pea-size sinkers and hook sizes 4 to 1.

 


Elingamite Lake, Cobden B 5
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320 ha. 19,700ML.

Located in a volcanic crater, peat bottom. Wading is dangerous. Water level has been receding for some years and the lake is becoming increasingly weedy. Small, shallow-draft boats can be launched from an earthen ramp, but this is difficult when water levels are low and the shoreline is muddy. Fish can be infested with red worm (Eustrongyloides) which is not harmful to humans. Contains redfin (av. 350g), maximum 1.6kg, brown trout and rainbow trout to 1.7kg, goldfish and short-finned eel. Stocking with brown trout and rainbow trout annually. Brown trout can be taken on mudeyes and worms. Trolling with lures is also successful, but can be difficult because of the extensive weed beds and shallow water.

 


Erskine River, Lorne L 7
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Small creek flowing in forested mountains. Channel width varies from 2 to 8m. Substrate is boulders and rock. Water consists of small pools 40-60cm deep, separated by rapids and cascades. Not a recognised angling water. Contains spotted galaxias, brown trout, Australian grayling, short-finned eel, abundant broad-finned galaxias, common galaxias, flat-headed gudgeon, and pouched lamprey. A small estuary contains tupong, estuary perch, mullet, flounder, black bream and Australian salmon.

 


Ford River, Glenaire G 10
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Flows from forested mountains and then through farmland. Substrate is boulder and mud. Limited access. Not a popular angling water. Contains brown trout, short-finned eel, river blackfish, spotted galaxias, common galaxias, pouched lamprey, short-headed lamprey and mountain galaxias. Has a small estuary with black bream, mullet and small Australian salmon.

 


Gellibrand River, Gellibrand F 8
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...... Photo: Gellibrand River
 
Gellibrand River

A rock-ramp fishway has been installed at a water supply offtake.

Rises in forested mountains upstream of Gellibrand then flows through farmland to Princetown. The river is of extremely high conservation and recreational value because of its river blackfish population. It is still in a natural condition in the middle reaches with areas of native riparian vegetation and good instream channel structure. It has a reliable and almost natural flow regime.

The channel is of a uniform size and shape in its middle and lower reaches being 10-13m wide with steep banks and a sand substrate. Maximum water depth is 3m and debris and aquatic vegetation are common. Pools form 60% of the river in the middle reaches and 89% in the lower reaches. The deep water, debris and turbid water provide excellent cover and habitat for biota. There is an extensive estuary 7km long which provides some limited angling. Access to the river is available from a parallel road and numerous cross tracks. Please ask permission if crossing private property.

The Gellibrand River is considered the best river blackfish water in Victoria in terms of both number and size of fish. The largest river blackfish taken in departmental surveys is 850g but blackfish to 2.7kg have been reported by anglers. Also contains brown trout (trophy size), abundant short-finned eel and tupong. Other species are spotted galaxias, Australian grayling, broad-finned galaxias, common galaxias, flat-headed gudgeon, pouched lamprey, short-headed lamprey, mountain galaxias, southern pygmy perch, Australian smelt, and occasional redfin reported. Popular fishing methods for catching river blackfish include bait fishing with worms, sandworms and scrubworms on running sinkers or unweighted lines. The estuary carries predominantly yellow-eye mullet but Australian salmon, brown trout, short-finned eel, a few black bream and estuary perch can be taken at times.

Water quality in the estuary varies from all fresh during floods to stagnant anoxic water on the bottom when the entrance bar is closed and no salt water enters. These extreme conditions are believed the reason for the low number of black bream in the estuary. At times mulloway enter the estuary but are not abundant and are difficult to locate. Boats can be launched at Princetown. In the early 1980's a departmental creel census found that the main estuarine species targeted was yellow-eye mullet and the estuary was not a popular fishing water for other species.

 


Kennett River, Wye River K 9
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A small creek flowing in forested mountains, boulder substrate. Contains small brown trout av. 350g. Other fish are common galaxias, short-finned eel, spotted galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, flat-headed gudgeon and Australian grayling. The small estuary sometimes has flounder, yellow-eye mullet, tupong, black bream and Australian salmon.

 


Painkalac Creek, Aireys Inlet N 6
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Flows from forested mountains then through farmland. Small creek around 2m wide, clay and mud substrate with patches of sand and gravel. Upper reaches are deeply entrenched with native riparian vegetation, debris in the channel and excellent fish habitat. Riffles are 10-40cm deep, with pools to 60cm.

Lower reaches flow through open farmland, becoming a series of small pools 80-200cm deep, with very few riffles and low flow during summer. However considerable habitat is still retained in the pools. Contains short-finned eel, pouched lamprey, flat-headed gudgeon, common galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, and spotted galaxias. There is a narrow estuary which has estuary perch, black bream, mullet, flounder and luderick at times. Not considered a freshwater angling stream.

 


Parker River, Apollo Bay H 11
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Flows in forested mountains and access is difficult. Contains tupong, spotted galaxias, short-finned eel, broad-finned galaxias, common galaxias, mountain galaxias and flat-headed gudgeon. The river mouth can be fished, with black bream and mullet taken on occasions. Not considered a freshwater fishery.

 


Purrumbete Lake, Camperdown E 4
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585ha. 120,000ML. Boat ramp, caravan park, picnic and camping facilities. Gazetted Wildlife Reserve but this does not affect fishing.

...... Photo: Brown trout
 
Brown trout

A deep (67m) volcanic lake surrounded by farmland, mud and rock bottom. The lake is surrounded by private property and public access to the lake is restricted to the shallow, southwestern corner, where there is a launching ramp and camping area. Abundant aquatic weed makes bank fishing difficult in this area. There is public shoreline access at Hoses Rocks, on the western shore, and through the quarry on the eastern side. A boat is necessary for best results and all areas of the lake and shoreline are then accessible.

Contains brown trout and rainbow trout to 4.5kg, chinook salmon or Atlantic salmon to 3.5kg (depending on past stocking), abundant redfin and a few tench. Also present are short-finned eel that are fished commercially, southern pygmy perch and abundant common galaxias. Provides excellent fishing at times, although the better fish are usually taken by the more experienced anglers. Best fishing methods are mudeyes fished under a bubble float, or worms, minnows and yabbies, fished just off the bottom.

Photo: Brown trout
Brown trout

Lures trolled at various depths can also be productive, but often catch a smaller size range of fish. Best lures are Rapala minnow, Magnum J plug and Tasmanian Devil. Wet flies fished in the shallows can also be very successful. As with many lakes, trout and salmon fishing is at its peak in the spring and autumn and redfin are most active in the summer. The lake stratifies at about 20m during the warmer months (January-April) and we recommend that you fish just above the thermocline during this period.

Productivity of the lake has declined in the last 25 years. The redfin population continues to expand in both numbers and total weight of fish. Stocked regularly with brown trout and rainbow trout. Chinook salmon are stocked annually if available or Atlantic salmon are sometimes substituted. The lake is currently subject to a closure to the taking of salmonids from boats during the salmonid closed season. Fishing from the bank for salmonids is permitted during this time.

Research:
Rainbow trout fishing in Lake Purrumbete - research on stocking strategies. (PDF 162kb)


 


St. George River, Lorne L 7
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Flows through forested mountains, boulder, rubble and sand substrate. Allen Reservoir is located in the lower reaches. A wide river (4-9m) with a series of pools (120cm deep) separated by shallow riffles. Good native riparian vegetation. Most of the river is upstream of the reservoir and has a natural flow regime. The 1.5km of river between the reservoir and the junction of Cora Lynne Creek, has very low, sometimes zero flows. The riffles can be dry and water in the pools may have poor water quality. Contains short-finned eel, short-headed lamprey, common galaxias, spotted galaxias, broad-finned galaxias, brown trout and mosquitofish. Australian grayling were present pre-1951 and pouched lamprey occur in Cora Lynne Creek. Fishing is not very productive but brown trout to 2kg can be taken. There is an estuary which contains the usual estuarine species with reported catches of black bream and luderick.

 


Scotts Creek, Timboon C 6
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Flows for 30km in farmland. Scattered riparian vegetation of eucalypts, blackwood wattle, tea tree and blackberry. The upper reaches of the creek are choked in places with aquatic vegetation resulting from low flows and clearing of riparian vegetation. The channel is up to 7m wide in the lower reaches with extensive pools over 100cm deep. Sand and mud substrate. Water is discoloured after rain. Flows into the Curdies River north of Timboon. It has areas of good fish habitat but is not recommended as an angling water. Contains short-finned eel, brown trout, pouched lamprey, common galaxias and southern pygmy perch.

 


Sherbrook River, Port Campbell C 8
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There is a very small freshwater section containing common galaxias, spotted galaxias, and flat-headed gudgeon. Has a small estuary with some fishing for Australian salmon, mullet and black bream.

 


Skenes Creek, Apollo Bay J 10
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Small creek flowing in forested mountains, boulder substrate. Contains brown trout to 400g, Australian grayling, short-finned eel, common galaxias, pouched lamprey and southern pygmy perch. Some mullet are taken in the small estuary.

 


Smythe Creek, Apollo Bay J 10
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Small creek flowing in forested mountains, boulder substrate. Contains some brown trout, short-finned eel, common galaxias, spotted galaxias and broad-finned galaxias.

 


Spring Creek, Torquay P 5
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Very small creek 3m wide rising in forest but flowing mostly in farmland. Usually dry except after rain. It has small isolated pools and is only fishable in the lower 1.5km estuary section, the mouth of which is frequently closed. Contains yellow-eye mullet, flounder, flat-headed gudgeon and black bream and occasional Australian salmon. Not recommended for a fishing trip.

 


Thompsons Creek, Breamlea O 4
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Also called Bream Creek. Flows through farmland, mud substrate. Fresh water contains carp, southern pygmy perch, short-finned eel and redfin. There is 5 km of estuary, which provides good fishing most of the time. Most common fish are estuary perch, black bream, Australian salmon and yellow-eye mullet.

 


Wild Dog Creek, Apollo Bay J 10
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Flows from forested mountains to farmland, boulder substrate. Contains brown trout to 750g, short-finned eel, tupong, Australian grayling, broad-finned galaxias, spotted galaxias, common galaxias, pouched lamprey and flat-headed gudgeon. Considered to be a good brown trout water.

 


Wye River, Wye River K 9
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A very small creek, flowing from forested mountains to open river flats, rock substrate. Contains small brown trout to 250g, short-finned eel, tupong, Australian grayling, spotted galaxias, common galaxias, Australian mudfish and flat-headed gudgeon. Has a small estuary with mullet and black bream at times.

 



Freshwater Fish Habitat
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Photo: Tributary of the Macalister River
Tributary of the Macalister River

Habitat is the natural home of an individual. Fish habitat within a river includes the physical structures within the channel such as substrate, channel shape (pools/riffles), woody debris and the banks below the water surface. It includes the water, which surrounds a fish and the oxygen, other gases and chemicals dissolved within the water column.

The effects of light on the river through solar radiation resulting in varying water temperatures and photosynthesis of flora are all part of the habitat. The movement of water or flow is an intrinsic part of the habitat and is possibly the feature that most determines habitat quality and quantity. Flow is the engine that drives most ecological processes and maintains the physical structure of the habitat.

Changes in flow have the most immediate impact on fish and other biota in the stream. Flow determines obvious physical features of the habitat particularly water depths and velocity which have major impacts on the ability of fish to move and live in the stream. However habitat includes more than these obvious physical features. The energy which enables life to occur in streams, originates mainly from the input and then decay of terrestrial organic material such as plant material, from the surrounding land.

The ecological process of breaking down plant material into food relies on a chain of organisms being present most of which are never seen by the casual observer. Fungus, bacteria, diatoms, macroinvertebrates (larvae and nymphs of a myriad of insects) all convert the raw plant material into fine particulate organic matter, then into dissolved organic matter and ultimately CO2. A by-product of this process is the rich food source that each group of organisms provides for some other group. At the top of the food chain are fish feeding of the larger macroinvertebrates. Photosynthesis within the stream, which itself is affected by how much light penetrates the riparian vegetation, is also an important autotrophic energy input into a stream. Habitat is more than just a collection of all these features or ecological processes. Rather it is the complex interaction between numerous features and processes that make up the habitat. Even the presence and behaviour of other biota including other fish, all impact on the quality of the habitat of every individual fish.

If this is all too confusing then compare it with the place where you live and the activities that you carry out and the complexity of the myriad of things which influence, affect and determine your daily life. The basic features which fish require in their habitat are remarkably similar to ours or any other animal. These include a food supply, a place to rest, ability to move around, security from danger and satisfactory levels of oxygen, temperatures and an absence of toxic chemicals.

How does it all work together? A natural pristine river, through the action of flowing water, has developed its own set structure of meanders, pools and riffles; which has been determined by the width of its channel. This means that any channel of flowing water (including waterways damaged by man-made activities) can eventually restore itself back into a natural stream, with pools, riffles and meanders. Whole or parts of riparian trees, which fall into the channel, are distributed along the channel by floods.

This debris finally come to rest on the substrate, usually against the banks, providing protection of the banks from erosion during future floods and places where fish can rest, protected from high water velocities and predators. This woody debris also provides a home or habitat for many small biota. The debris traps leaves and plant material which after being broken down into small particles as previously described, is moved downstream by the flow, for other organisms to further process. The deeper quiet water in the pools provides space for large fish and biota not suited to life in the fast-water riffles. Riffles with coarse substrate material and well-oxygenated fast-flowing water, provide an ideal home for many macroinvertebrates. Small fish also find shelter among the rubble, safe from larger predators and protected from high velocity water flow.

Photo: WOddy debris on the Upper King River
Woody debris on the Upper King River

Macroinvertebrates dislodged from the riffles float downstream and are taken as food. Other fish move into the deeper areas of the riffle to feed on the food it produces. The riparian trees not only provide instream woody debris and an input of organic material but shade the stream, reducing water temperatures during summer and maintaining higher water temperatures during winter. Fish such as salmonids that prefer cooler water (less than 170C) can feed and grow for longer each year with reduced levels of stress.

The natural UN-regulated flow, which is continually being oxygenated as it passes through the riffles, dilutes any input of chemicals, minerals and animal wastes originating in the catchment, to levels that the biota can cope with. The natural flow regime not only has daily/weekly fluctuations but periods of significant lower flows during summer followed by high flows and floods during winter/spring. These flood flows move fine material (sand/silt) off the areas of gravel and rubble, where it has accumulated during the low flow period (see sedimentation Basin 38), redistribute woody debris along the river, and restore channel shape and form.

The higher flows and resulting deeper water enable larger fish to migrate along the stream and also assists the downstream movement of those species that need to reach the estuary or sea for spawning. As flow decreases in late spring/ early summer it leaves the river and its habitats in excellent condition which coincides with major spawning activity of most fish, an increase in macroinvertebrate activity and opportunity for biota to recover from any stressful conditions resulting perhaps from droughts in the previous year.

Photo: Wellington River in flood
Wellington River in flood

Late spring /early summer is also the time that juvenile fish such as common galaxias that have developed in the estuaries make their long swim upstream back into fresh water where as adults they will spend the rest of their lives. Riffles or other potential barriers will still have adequate water depths for the shoals of small fish to pass but the high water velocities previously present during the floods will have decreased. The changing water conditions throughout the year perfectly match the different habitat requirements of each species at every stage of their life cycle and their daily activities. Each individual species and age group has a specific range of conditions (temperature, water depth, velocity, amount of dissolved oxygen, etc) that it prefers in its habitat.

Each condition must also suit the particular activity that is going on. For example fish prefer low velocity water in locations where they rest during the day. However when feeding they are happy to move temporarily into fast water. They require adequate water depth and some overhead shelter when resting against the bank but will move into very shallow water with no shelter nearby, during darkness. The precise habitat requirements of many fish are well known and enable the biologist to assess whether or not various types of habitats are suitable for particular species (discussed further in brown trout habitat Basin 2).

A feature of any pristine stream is the huge variety of habitats present. This is the reason that so many different species and age groups of each species can live together because each individual is able to select the location in the river that suits them best. The species and individual fish present in any stream is therefore directly related to the type and quality of habitat present. One should not expect large-sized fish in a shallow creek or fish such as salmonids that prefer cold water, to be present or to reach their best size or condition in a warm-water stream.

It is now not difficult to appreciate that any changes to either the stream channel, river structure, flow regime, water quality, riparian vegetation, catchment or endemic community of biota, will have some affect on habitat and then on fish and other biota. The actual loss of some habitats or individuals in the food processing chain, can result in extinction of some species. However what often happens is that the changes are small and gradual. For example, a little more sediment comes into the stream from more bank erosion or water temperature becomes slightly higher each summer because of loss of riparian vegetation or flows are consistently less because of offstream diversions.

Water quality may slowly deteriorate because of more nutrients entering the stream from stock or farming activities, causing an increased growth of algae. The results of these changes on the biota are often not seen immediately but start a long-term process of deterioration in the fish populations. Possibly most serious is the excessive diversion of water from the stream causing extreme and rapid changes to the flow and therefore water depths.

Lower water levels result in large areas of habitat in the shallower areas of the stream such as the riffles, becoming dry and unavailable to biota for long periods each summer. Riffles support most of the macroinvertebrates used as food by fish. A reduction in food supply results in increased competition among fish and slower growth rates. Not only is less food available but the fish need to spend extra effort to feed and therefore derive less benefit from the food.

There may also be a change in the species composition of the macroinvertebrates and this always happens if sedimentation increases. Species such as mayfly and stonefly nymphs, which need clean substrate are replaced by others which can tolerate silt and mud. Excessively low flows and therefore a loss of deep water also results in areas that were used by fish as shelter or resting areas, (the banks or instream logs) becoming unsuitable and no longer able to be used by fish. Gravel-bottomed streams have numerous riffles where water is shallow and faster. If the water level falls too low, the riffles become barriers to fish movement, trapping the larger fish in the pools.

Photo: Wonnangatta River
Wonnangatta River

Fisheries scientists worldwide agree that habitat is the major determinant of the quality of fish populations. Good habitat results in a good population of fish. Successful fisheries can only be maintained if the habitat is present and not degraded by inappropriate actions. The same principle applies to any population of fauna or flora, whether natural or farmed.

Fisheries managers may have to control the numbers of fish taken by anglers in a particular stream, or protect some sizes of fish. They may even have to stock fish at times if natural spawning is inadequate but none of these measures will improve fishing or provide more and larger fish beyond what the habitat can naturally do.

Next time you go fishing have a look at the stream. If it is mostly shallow water that means there is insufficient deep-water habitat to allow many of the fish to grow to a larger size. Most fish will be of small size because that is all the habitat can provide. Stocking with more fish will not help. If you want to catch large fish then go to a river with extensive deep-water habitat. Have another look at the stream you are fishing, particularly at the condition of the banks and bed. If there are few places where fish can lie-up during the day in some deeper water sheltered by the bank or instream debris then don’t expect a good catch.

Fortunately habitat loss and deterioration of our streams can be reversed. Exclusion of stock and replanting of native riparian vegetation to stabilise the banks will result in a reduction in bank erosion and instream sedimentation, and is the first step. Restoration of instream logs and debris is next followed by the more difficult task of increasing summer flows, if excessive water diversion is occurring. Such activities would significantly improve habitats in most degraded Victorian streams.

 


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