During the coldest months of the year we will often see a reduction in anglers’ catch rates. If you do put the time in then the rewards are there and some quality fish will be landed.

The productivity in the fishing at Lake Eppalock has remained average. At the present time only small numbers of redfin are being caught by anglers. The majority of these are being caught in water depths greater than 10m. Bait fishing around the standing timber has been the most productive method.

For those anglers chasing redfin on lures, jigging ice jigs and soft plastics has been the most productive technique. The productivity in the redfin fishing will stay the same, or only get tougher, over the next couple of months.

There continues to be small numbers of golden perch caught at Lake Eppalock. The majority of these have been caught by anglers trolling in depths between 8-10m. Unfortunately, golden perch fishing will only become tougher and it will not be until the spring months that we will see an increase in catch rates.

Fishing productivity in the Campaspe River has been good. At the present time, water flows are low and water clarity is good at most locations along the river. The fishing should remain good in the short term while the water clarity remains solid.

The amount of rainfall we receive in the future is the biggest determining factor in how productive the fishing will continue to be in the system. If we only receive small amounts of rainfall the water clarity will continue to be good. A couple of significant rainfall events and water clarity will deteriorate and the productivity in the fishing will decline.

Currently, golden perch are making up the majority of anglers’ catch rates. Casting lipless crankbaits has been the most productive method. Small numbers of Murray cod have also been caught.

The productivity in the fishing in Cairn Curran has been good. Redfin are currently making up the majority of anglers’ catches.

The redfin are currently being caught in a range of depths depending on what areas you are fishing. Up the top of the lake fishing in a depth range around 7m has been producing well. In the lower sections of Cairn Curran the best concentrations of redfin will be found in depths greater than 10m.

Trolling deep diving hardbody lures has been productive. Jigging ice jigs and soft plastics has also delivered. Because of the depths the redfin are holding in, down rigging for the redfin has been the best technique. We should continue to see some quality redfin being caught at this location over the next few months while water clarity remains good.

Currently low numbers of trout are being caught with the average size between 500-800g. The majority of these have been caught by anglers trolling small hardbody lures and winged lures. The productivity in the trout fishing should increase over the next month.

The numbers of golden perch being caught has been low.

Water clarity is good at most locations along the Loddon River. In the shallower sections of the river there continues to be reasonable numbers of golden perch still being caught by anglers casting hardbody and lipless crankbait lures.

The numbers of Murray cod have been low with the occasional quality fish still being caught. The fishing in the deeper sections of the Loddon River has been average with golden perch making up the majority of anglers’ catch rates.

If you are targeting native fish over the coldest months of the year it can be hard work. The secret is to put the time in and persist. If you have not caught a fish by the afternoon do not give up. I experience my highest catch rates at this time of the year in the last one and a half hours of sunlight.