The late burst of hot weather has certainly had a large impact on the early autumn fishing in and around Echuca and district. The water temperature in the Murray is still around 24C and the water has cleared up quite nicely, though a little lower than normal for this time of year.

The first report comes from the Gunbower Creek, where the fishing action has been red-hot! The main fair from the Gunny Creek has been cod, with the best method being casting the larger Cod Botherers in colours red/black and purple/black.

Gunbower Creek is definitely the place to be, with quality Murray cod being caught when casting from a boat to the snags and around the weed beds. Fish up to 1m have been caught in this way, with plenty more of 80-85cm being reported. Some anglers have even fished from the bank for good-sized cod with great success. This is definitely the hot spot at the moment.

The Murray around the Torrumbarry headworks is starting to fire up this month. This deep section of the Murray is best fished with large deep diving lures, large Tiegars, Oargees and Codgers.

Echuca, around the 5-mile ramp, is also the place to fish at the moment, with lures and bait both working great. Some good-sized fish have been caught whilst casting spinnerbaits around here. A few golden perch have also been caught on shrimp when they are bobbed around the snags.

The Murray and Edward rivers, around Mathoura, have been a little quiet of late, probably due to the water levels down a meter or so. I fished the Mathoura fishing comp a few weeks ago and, like most of the other 803 entrants, found the fishing very tough. Plenty of small Murray and trout cod were caught, but the ‘keeper size’ cod and yellas were few and far between. Congratulations must go to the Mathoura organisation committee for a very well run event and I’m already planning next year’s assault on the comp.

The last place to get a mention this month is the Warranga Basin. The water levels are around 30% and the red fin are still biting well. Bait is the way to go, with small yabbies, worms and live shrimp the best of the baits.

For more information on Echuca and district call in and see Garry at Gone Fishin’ Annesley St Echuca.