Now that the kids are back in school and the holiday-makers are back to work, our lakes and river systems have started to settle down.

It is only natural that with an increase of holiday anglers deciding to wet a line that the fishing can get a little harder through January as the fish go shy with more noise around the rivers.

Some good reports have come through the door at the Ringwood shop with great catches of Murray cod from Warrandyte through to Templestowe. Aim to fish in the bigger and deeper holes, which the cod like for protection and the amount of food that they hold.

A lot of success lately is coming from using spinnerbaits; Bassmans in particular. More and more anglers are noticing how flexible these lures are in many different conditions. The beauty of the spinnerbait is that they can be worked through heavily timbered areas and snags with very little chance of getting caught up.

The next two months are a great time to use surface lures on the cod. The conditions need to be right, the water needs to be like glass with no wind and very little light, as this give the fish the best opportunity of striking at the lure.

Kayaking from Warrandyte to Templestowe makes it easier to access and target the deeper holes. There are a lot of farm properties in this area so access to the good holes is not always possible by foot. A kayak will make it much easier and you will most likely have it all to yourself.

Launch at Warrandyte and drift your way down, coming out at Fitzsimmons Lane at Templestowe. Look for the areas with the steep banks.

Lilydale Lake is still fishing well for trout, although numbers are starting to reduce with the increase in water temperatures. To increase your chances, start fishing early or later in the day when most of the heat has gone.

The stretch of river above Warburton is fishing well for trout and around Chirnside Park is also good for Macquarie perch.

Woori Yallock upstream from the main bridge is producing trout around 300-500g.

Reports of Macquarie Perch catches have increased since Christmas with most coming from the area from Reserve Road at Wonga Park through to Jumping Creek Reserve.

Medium size scrubworms using a number 6 Shiner hook with a number 2 bean sinker on an open bail running sinker rig. Remember perch will ‘spit the bait’, so do not go for a hook up straight away. Let them test the food source and when they are happy they will swallow and hook up.

Fishing dusk up to dark will provide you with the most success. Keep in mind that Macquarie perch spook very easily so approach the edge of the river quietly.

The reports coming through from Ringwood Lake have increased over the past three to four weeks with a lot of families enjoying some fishing success including the landing good-sized carp. Carp are being taken from the weedy area behind Daisys Bistro.

Redfin have been caught, although not in large numbers. Scrubworms on a size 8 baitholder under a float set up has been proving the most successful on the carp. To catch the redfin use small spinners with a gold blade with either green/black or red/black stripes on the red fin.

Best times appear to be late afternoon going through to dusk.

For up to date fishing information, both fresh and saltwater water, contact the boys at The Compleat Angler in Ringwood on 03 9870 7792 or better still drop in at 92 Maroondah Hwy– we’re open 7 days a week with plenty of top quality bait and a great selection of freshwater and saltwater gear.