April is normally a great time of year to be fishing. The autumn weather is mild, usually with calm and clear mornings – perfect time to be outside in search of a fish. Whether you can get a session in at the local lake on a Saturday or duck out after work, there are plenty of suburban options to keep you going.

With the water surface temperature beginning to drop, Albert Park Lake has been producing a few yellowbelly and redfin. While the redfin have been sporadic to say the least, when they pop up they have been solid fish in the 35cm+ size range. Both of these species have been taking baits like worms and more are caught on lures.

Worm hook rigged soft plastics worked through the patches of weed have been effective in filtering out these fish. There have also been a few big carp caught this way. Paddle-tail or creature bait style soft plastics are the most productive, imitating the small yabbies, shrimp and baitfish in the lake. They especially work for the yellowbelly. The yellowbelly should bite a bit more until about early may when the shallow waters of the lake cool too much and send them into a sulking, low aggression mood, so now is the time to get your fix.

Autumn normally signals the start of a couple of good months for trout fishers. The Yarra up around Millgrove will start producing trout consistently for anglers in search of them, especially the bait fishers. Fishing adjacent to a deeper pool or run will always increase your chances of getting a look from a resident fish. As the water cools off more these fish will move into the runs and shallower glides where you may even spot them. Fishing hardbodied lures at this time of year can be very productive and spawning trout colours often draw out more aggressive territorial strikes from the resident fish.

For a more laid-back approach, bait fishing at Karkarook Park Lake has been good this month. Targeting the trout in the lake with coarse methods has by far been the most successful. When bait fishing for the trout, berley is a must.

Mixing crushed up trout berley pellets with a small amount of coloured PowerBait or Maggots into a doughy consistency will ensure that you can simply throw it into your fishing area by hand or use a special berley spoon and keep the fishing feeding in the area. Using a small feeder cage above the bait filled with your berley mixture will also keep the trout interested around your baited hook and keep the action going.

• For up to date fishing information, contact the guys at Compleat Angler in Dandenong on 9794 9397 or drop in and see us at 241-243 Princes Hwy, Dandenong, we are open 7 days a week. For our other latest fishing reports and to download information sheets, go to www fishingcamping.com.au.