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Great weather, active fish
  |  First Published: April 2007



April is my favourite month to pack all the gear in the back of the ute, hitch up the boat and find a spot on the river to camp for a few days.

It is a great time to go is because the days are still warm and the nights and mornings tend to be nice and cool.

A bonus is that this is when native fish are really on the chew, eager to bulk up for the coming Winter. The majority of large Murray cod are always caught at this time of year because their security systems tend to be only on ‘moderate’ and they are more easily enticed.

So pack up the camping gear and head to your nearest waterway and enjoy the great outdoors at its best.

DARLING, BARWON

This time of year these rivers fire up and some big cod are caught in both systems. If we don’t receive any more rain these rivers will clear and spinning from the bank or boat will get you among the fish.

Let’s hope this money John Howard is throwing around at the Murray-Darling system will benefit the fishing in the Darling – something needs to be done when a river doesn’t flow for extended periods. It can’t be good for the fish.  

THE MACQUARIE

The Macquarie River continues to contain water and remain clear. Casting spinnerbaits and hardbodies around the logs with bring the best results. Some good cod up to 70cm have been caught between Dubbo and Narromine, so is great to hear some of these fish are getting bigger.  

Bait anglers have been getting a few fish but have had to work hard. Best baits have been shrimp and bardis.

LACHLAN RIVER

Some good reports have come in from the Lachlan, particularly around Forbes, with frequent catches of cod and yellowbelly.

Some anglers have been catching a few nice cod on spinnerbaits, even though the river is quite dirty at the moment. A really slow retrieve is essential.

Bait anglers have been catching some silver perch on shrimps, which is a great sign for this fish’s future. Remember, it is illegal to take these fish in streams; only impoundment-caught fish can be kept.

Good to hear some reports of cod being caught between Cowra and Forbes as I haven’t heard of many cod being taken there for quite some time.

WYANGALA, BURRENDONG

Wyangala Dam has been a bit hit and miss for this time of year with mixed reports of fish one day and nothing the next. Those who have been targeting the mouths of the Lachlan and Abercrombie rivers have been having the most success, catching a few good golden perch.

The odd cod to about 50cm is getting caught on the troll. Good hear a report of two monsters being caught in the dam, including 25kg and 27kg cod caught at Wyangala. Even better news is that they were released to fight another day.

Burrendong was down towards 2% full at the time of writing but they continue to let out water, which is great for the river downstream. But I’m not sure of the logic of letting so much out – maybe they know something I don’t.  

Burrendong has been fishing well with good reports of yellowbelly and cod being taken casting and trolling. Bait anglers are catching silver perch, catfish and the odd redfin.  

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