There have been some exceptional fish caught in the Bendigo region over the past month. The largest was a 108cm Murray cod, which was caught on the Loddon River on a surface lure. The trend of quality fish should continue with plenty of productive locations to explore.

The redfin fishing has remained tough at Lake Eppalock. The majority of redfin have now moved into shallower water and the best concentrations can be found in 3-5m.

Trolling hardbody lures has been productive but the redfin are proving difficult to locate and anglers must be prepared to work many different areas in order to locate a good school. Small numbers of quality redfin are being caught by those anglers who are bait fishing with worms and small yabbies around the edges of standing timber.

This method has also been productive by anglers chasing golden perch. Casting lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits along the shoreline have also been productive on these fish.

Reports of Murray cod being caught at this location have reduced over the last month. We should see water temperatures start to reduce shortly. This should produce an increase in the productivity in the fishing.

Water clarity remains average at most locations along the Campaspe River. Water clarity can change quickly depending on the volumes of water being released from Lake Eppalock.

There have been some good captures of golden perch in the Axedale section of the Campaspe River lately. Anglers who have been walking the banks casting medium-sized hardbody lures and spinnerbaits have landed some quality fish.

Small numbers of redfin have also been caught in this area.

The most productive Murray cod fishing has been in the shallow water between Elmore and Axedale. There has been some quality specimens caught measuring up to 90cm.

The fishing has been good in the Elmore section again with golden perch making up the majority of captures. Casting lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits have been the most productive method.

The fishing remains good at this location. At the present time trolling with hardbody lures and bait fishing with worms or small yabbies have been the most productive methods. Reasonable numbers of redfin are currently being caught at this location. Trolling deep diving hardbody lures in the depth range between 8-10m has been the most productive.

If a good school of redfin is located then change tactics by casting blades or soft plastics.

The best concentrations of golden perch are currently being caught in 4-6m of water. Again, like the redfin, trolling hardbody lures is currently the most productive method.

Small numbers of golden perch and redfin are also being caught by anglers bait fishing around standing timber.

Water clarity is currently good at most locations along the Loddon River. Golden perch are making up the majority of anglers’ catch rates in the deeper sections of the river by casting hardbody lures and lipless crankbaits.

In the shallower sections of the Loddon River, catch rates have been similar between Murray cod and golden perch. Over the last month there has been some exceptional Murray cod being caught. Reports I have received were of a 108cm and an 85cm Murray cod caught by different anglers but both on surface lures.

I also received a report from Ray McCormack from Ballarat who landed his PB Murray cod casting a Bassman Spinnerbait and the fish measured 90cm.

We should continue to see some more quality Murray cod being caught over the next couple of months. We should also see some larger golden perch being caught as well.

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Good numbers of golden perch are being caught in the Bendigo region.