The Bendigo region is now experiencing a change in conditions. We have gone through a very dry summer, and autumn has seen mild temperatures, but the region has been experiencing some good rainfall over the last few weeks.

At this stage, the rainfall has been perfect. There’s been good soaking rains putting a good amount of moisture into the soil. The amount of runoff from the rainfall has only been minimal. The positive from this is that water clarity remains good at most locations. The good water clarity may not remain for too long in our river systems, and if the region receives another couple of major rainfall events then water clarity in our local rivers will deteriorate.

The water clarity remains good at Eppalock. Unfortunately, water levels are still slowly declining, but hopefully in the near future we will see this trend reversed. There is still a presence of blue green algae in the system, but it has improved with the recent rainfall and decline in water temperatures.

The numbers of redfin being caught has decreased over recent weeks. The best tactics for targeting the redfin has been trolling deep diving hardbody lures and casting soft plastics. Anglers must be prepared to hunt around the lake in order to find a good concentration of redfin.

There are still reasonable numbers of golden perch being caught at this location. Casting lipless crankbaits in redfin patterns and dark silhouettes have been working best. The most productive structure has been around the timbered sections of the lake.

There continues to be small numbers of Murray cod being caught. The majority of these have been caught by anglers trolling medium sized hardbody lures in around 10m of water. The occasional Murray cod has also been caught by anglers casting spinnerbaits around submerged lay down timber.

In recent weeks there has been a flush of dirty water, which has slowly worked its way through the system. The water clarity has improved again and is currently very good. With the rain that we have received over the last few weeks, it will only take another couple of major rainfall events and water clarity will deteriorate.

At the present time there are still small numbers of Murray cod being caught in the system. Casting spinnerbaits has been the most productive method for the Murray cod. The occasional Murray cod is also still being caught by those anglers fishing surface lures during periods of low light.

Reasonable numbers of golden perch are still being caught and casting hardbody lures and lipless crankbaits has been working.

Small numbers of redfin are also being caught, and the most productive areas for the redfin has been along cumbungi, or bulrush-lined banks and along ribbon weed beds. The average size of the redfin being caught with the majority of fish is measuring between 25-30cm.

The water clarity in Cairn Curran is average, but the blue green algae has improved in recent weeks. Water levels are still slowly declining, and this trend should be reversed in the near future. The productivity in the fishing has been slow.

Small redfin are making up the majority of captures. There have been small numbers of golden perch being caught around the timber sections of the lake and the occasional golden perch has been caught along the rocky shorelines.

At this stage, I have not had any reports of trout being caught at Cairn Curran. If you do manage to catch a few trout, please forward your report to me at --e-mail address hidden-- and I will share your report with our readers. Hopefully when water levels start to rise we will see an increase in the productivity of the fishing.

Water clarity is average in the Loddon River right now. Small inflows after recent rainfall have led to the reduction in water clarity. The water clarity is still good enough to fish with lures, but how long this lasts will depend on rainfall.

Another couple of major rainfall events and the productivity in the lure fishing in the Loddon will be poor. At the present time the fishing has been below average.

Small numbers of Murray cod are being caught on spinnerbaits and the occasional cod is still being caught on surface lures. Small numbers of golden perch are being caught by anglers casting suspending hardbodied lures and lipless crankbaits.

The numbers of redfin being caught in the Loddon River continues to be low.