Fishing & Aquaculture

A Guide to the Inland Angling Waters of Victoria
Home

Background to this Guide

	Genoa River

Why go fishing? | Where can I go fishing? | Contacts | About the Authors | Acknowledgements | Information in the Inland Angling Guide

This Guide was first published in 1976 and quickly became a bible for enthusiastic anglers keen to explore Victoria's freshwater fisheries. Revised editions were subsequently published in 1977, 1981 and 1991.

An essential handbook for the travelling angler, the Guide set a high standard for similar publications by other fisheries agencies, tourism authorities and angling journalists.

This most recent edition has been published on-line only and contains more information than ever. Linked to on-line fish stocking summaries and other information about freshwater fishing, it includes photographs of many of the waters it describes and the fish one can expect to catch.

Why go fishing?
page top

A good fishing trip is when the weather is fine, the water is calm, the surroundings are pleasant and, if you catch a fish, that's a bonus. That's why 400,000 Victorians go fishing each year although some (250,000 anglers who fish more than ten times a year) are really seriously trying to catch fish.

A survey by Fisheries Victoria in 1996 found that 85% of anglers interviewed stated that fishing was one of their reasons for their current trip away from home. Fishing therefore often provides a focal point for recreational activities as well as being a popular leisure activity in its own right. As well as providing valuable, quality leisure time, for individuals, their families and their friends, fishing also brings significant economic benefit to Victoria.

The total value of gross expenditure on freshwater recreational fishing in 1996 (the most recent survey) was close to $435 million. Although some anglers are happy just to catch any fish, the species most freshwater anglers target are trout, redfin, golden perch, and Murray cod.

Where can I go fishing?
page top

The 'Guide' was first published in 1976 by the Department to answer this frequent enquiry from anglers and its objective has remained the same through four editions over 26 years.

The fifth edition includes many new smaller waters in which recreational fisheries have been established over the last 10 years. Information on fish species in each water has been brought up to date and the most significant change has been the increased number of waters now being stocked with native fish.

For anglers who want to know more about the water they intend to fish, this edition includes much more detailed descriptions of river structure and water depths. The list of the best angling waters in each river Basin has been expanded. Some fishing tips are included to encourage anglers to try something new or to assist new anglers to get started. A more detailed description of each Basin is given as well as some details on water quality relevant to fishing.

Additional details about who manages each water and for what purpose and water diversions have been included. Some waters have been assessed by the State Government to have special conservation values as well as being important for angling. These values such as Heritage River Areas, Ramsar etc have been shown in the river Basin introductions. A significant addition is the inclusion of all fish species known to occur in each water.

The new edition is therefore not only of value to anglers but is a useful reference document for fisheries and water managers and anyone else interested in our inland waters. Some interesting facts on fish species, habitats and behaviour, which may be helpful to anglers, have also been included.

The Murray River has also been described in some detail as it is a popular angling water for many Victorians. Despite all this information, the major problem still remains with the anglers, and that is how to catch the fish. Some tips are given in special articles throughout the book but the action is now really over to you.

Contacts
page top

Further information can be obtained from Department of Primary Industries offices in:

Or from:

• Fisheries Victoria, PO Box 500, East Melbourne 3002, Phone 9412 5734
• Customer Service Centre, Phone 136 186

About the Authors

Barry Tunbridge

Worked as a marine biologist in New Zealand from 1958 to 1966. Then as a freshwater fisheries scientist in the Victorian State Government, Fisheries Division, from 1966 to 1999, first as a trout biologist and then working on environmental flow and fish habitat studies. He now works as a consultant on environmental assessments of waterways affected by farm dam proposals. Lives in Melbourne and his hobbies are fishing, reading and golf.

Peter Rogan

Worked in the Victorian State Government, Fisheries Division, from 1964 to 1997 in the fields of native fish research, environmental impact assessment and inland fisheries management. Now works as a consultant in the fields of inland fisheries and integrated catchment management. Lives in Melbourne and takes a strong interest in bushwalking and conservation issues.

Acknowledgements

Charles Barnham, a co-author of the previous edition of this guide, was unable to assist in the writing of this edition due to long term health problems which eventually caused his death in April 2003. His substantial contribution to the fourth edition is acknowledged here, as are his extensive efforts on behalf of Victorian anglers. He is missed by many.

Various DPI officers have assisted in providing information and we thank them all. Special thanks to Alan Baxter, formerly of Fisheries Victoria, for his constant help in getting this fifth edition published and for valuable information on many of the waters.

Information has also been obtained from various Departmental publications such as An Environmental Handbook and A Resource Handbook Water Victoria (1989), Department of Water Resources, NRE; River Management A Glossary of Terms by C.K. Turnbull (1984), RWC; Victorian Inland Fisheries Strategy (1997), Fisheries Victoria, NRE. DPI officers have provided information on fish distribution from surveys since 1989. Fisheries Management Reports of consultations between Regional Staff and Fisheries Victoria from 1989 to 2002 have been invaluable. Reports of anglers catches in various waters have provided additional information or confirmed DPI survey results.

Information in the Inland Angling Guide

This publication may be of assistance to you, but the State of Victoria and its employees or the authors do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw or is wholly appropriate to your particular purposes and therefore disclaims liability for any error, loss or other consequences which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

page top

© The State of Victoria