With the onset of winter now is the time for the serious trout anglers to capitalise on the great angling that’s on offer in the Wimmera area.

Trophy trout are by far the most sought after species and with several lakes in the area holding plenty of water and large numbers of fish it's not hard to get excited. For that reason I will cover the top trout lakes as the native fish become semi dormant and the redfin go into their winter slumber as we head into the coming months.

Within half an hour of Horsham, Lake Toolondo has a reputation to behold. Increasing in notoriety, both here and abroad, Toolondo has a unique ecosystem, and is producing brown and rainbow trout with staggering growth rates. Productive techniques at Toolondo vary, and trolling lures is the norm during winter, with fish more than happy to attack surface and mid running hardbodies. Tassie Devils produce very well here and can be trolled or cast.

Shallow running lures like the Strike Pro Flatz Minnow, Rapalas, Ecogears and Daiwas in natural colours matching the minnow and gudgeon are best. Soft plastics such as Fish Arrow J Huddles, J Shads and Nories Spoontail Shads have worked well too. Small jigheads are the key here and are best fished sub surface. Fly anglers may find it a little tough during winter but the smelt, minnow and mudeye patterns should produce, as should traditional flies like Wooly Buggers and Craig's Nighttime. Another local favourite is the Shrek, but bead head nymphs in black go well too. Bait anglers using mudeye, gudgeon, minnow or even Berkley Powerbait have had great success here in the past, and as the food sources become even more scarce over winter these will come to the fore.

CURRENT LEVEL: 20 %

CAMPING : Wash Tomorrow Caravan Park : 03 53882231. n.b. Camping is not allowed at the lake

SPECIES: brown and rainbow trout, redfin.

Situated on the Glenelg River near the pretty little town of Balmoral, Rocklands has in the warmer months produced some great redfin fishing, but is usually very quiet over winter. Trout come out to play when the water temperature gets down 10-12 degrees and although not known for its monster trout it is a regular producer of a feed for most anglers prepared to brave the cold early morning and late afternoon.

Flat lining lures such as Tassie Devils, Cobras and shallow running hardbodies will see you land both browns and rainbows if conditions are right. Size two StumpJumpers have also done well this autumn on both trout and redfin. As this water is usually slightly discoloured brighter lures will get the best results. Bait fishing in amongst trees or on the edge of the old river bed is a proposition, as is fishing with mudeye, minnow and gudgeon, or even a live yabbies. Plastics cast to rising fish or early morning in shallows and backwaters will produce fish, as will bladed lures such as Celtas.

CURRENT LEVEL: 19%

CAMPING : some areas of free camping as well as a caravan park and local lodge.

SPECIES: brown and rainbow trout, cod, bass, redfin and carp.

Breathtaking scenery is an apt description of the view on the lake and the trout fishing likewise can be equally breathtaking. Set amongst bush and cleared areas Fyans is located 10 minutes from Halls Gap and 20 minutes from Stawell, and is renowned for its abundant brown and rainbow trout and redfin populations. Many anglers opt to fish mudeye here from a boat or the wall area if the right winds prevail. Gudgeons and minnows fished under a bubble float as well as the ever-reliable mudeye shouldn't fail you at Fyans.

Casting Tassie Devils in orange, pink and white throughout early winter should tempt the spawning fish. Yellow winged Tassie Devils have also done very well here on trout but I prefer them in the warmer months. Fly anglers frequently wade the shallows and weed beds presenting mudeye and smelt pattern fly to rising or sighted fish. Trolling small Ecogear lures has been my favourite method, but most shallow running hardbodies will do well. As with most trout lakes the early morning and late afternoon produce best, while trolling treelines and weedbeds will put you in the zone to catch fish.

CURRENT LEVEL : 67%

CAMPING : whilst there is no camping on the lake foreshore, the nearby campgrounds at Stawell and Halls Gap provide a variety of camping options for visitors. Lake Fyans Holiday Park is on the Stawell side and is my preferred place to stay, and offers safe and secure family focused accommodation options.

SPECIES: brown and rainbow trout, redfin.

Set in the Grampians between mountains, Lake Wartook is a very picturesque and productive lake that is accessible by boat and from the bank. The wall area adjacent to the carpark can at times produces some great trout by most methods. Casting lures is very popular with most bank anglers here and their catches mainly consist of rainbow trout and redfin. Pink Tassie Devils have long been the most popular lure for rainbows and it doesn't differ here with many falling to the deadly Devil. During winter Berkley Powerbait in pink and orange rigged on a running sinker rig is also well worth trying when casting lures. Mudeyes fished under a bubble float or minnows and gudgeons can also produce some great results. Some local anglers also fish yabby tails on the bottom to good effect. Trolling lures along treelines and around the island to the right of the boat ramp is a sure fire way to snag a fish here, but be prepared to lose a lure or two in the snags. Fly anglers working the shallows early and late in the day have had mixed success. Fly is hard work here as the water clarity is amazing most of the year, hence the early and late starts.

CURRENT LEVEL : 55%

CAMPING : nearby are various camping areas that have to booked in advance with Parks Victoria. Halls Gap is 20 minutes away and is a good option. Alternatively accommodation can be booked online for the Wartook area.

SPECIES: rainbow and brown trout, redfin.

Located south of Halls Gap, Bellfield doesn't produce a lot of trout but on occasions some surprise catches come in. Stocked with both rainbow and browns trout, as well as chinook salmon, and the naturally occurring redfin, Bellfield is a family friendly lake that's best fished with bait. Best options are Berkley Powerbait, scrub worms, mudeye, minnow and gudgeon. This water storage is a non-powerboat lake with only electric powered vessels permitted. Casting lures and plastics off the wall area can often produce a fish or two, especially if left to sink a little before retrieving.

CURRENT LEVEL : 64%

CAMPING : Halls Gap is only a couple of kilometres away and has many accommodation options.

SPECIES : rainbow and brown trout, chinook salmon, redfin, blackfish.