The Gippsland Lakes water temperature has started to decrease, but the fishing hasn’t. Large schools of Australian salmon along with plenty of silver trevally are frequently found working drop-offs and shallow flats chasing schools of baitfish throughout the lakes system.

Anglers have mostly targeted the predatory species with lures. Traditional metal lures have worked wonders on the large schools of salmon, especially around areas such as Bullock Island, where the large tides force all the baitfish towards the entrance where the salmon wait for food.

Our local towns have produced great fishing lately with solid catches of silver trevally and mullet. The most productive wharves in town are the post office wharf and Ferryman’s Seafood Café wharves located in the centre of town. These are extremely easy to access.

The rig of choice has been cut pilchards or peeled prawns under a float with about 6-8ft of line between your float and hook. Suspending your bait under a float allows you to keep your baits away from the local sand crab population, which is usually very quick to pounce on a piece bait sitting on the lake bottom. The other bonus is that the tidal flow allows your rig to move around in the current and cover more water.

Over the past month, large number of garfish have moved into the arm. Local anglers are chasing these great table fish and bait fish around areas such as the winery and Capes Point in the higher end of North Arm. A simple pencil float and a size 12 long shank hook baited with live sandworms is all you need. These are extremely easy to get your hands on.

The lakes system is settling into its wintertime patterns with large schools of bream in the main lake, especially around areas such as power lines and other deep water areas of the main lakes system. These deep water bream and other species such as silver trevally have been targeted with a combination of bait and lures. The most productive baits lately have been fresh whitebait fished lightly on a small running sinker rig.

Nowa Nowa Arm is still producing quality catches of bream and flathead. The sheltered water of the Nowa Nowa Arm provides cover and allows the water to stay warmer, making for an all-year flats and edges fishery. Anglers have great success working the drop-offs in search of dusky flathead. Recently, we have had a large amount of baitfish throughout the system and minnow style lures have been extremely productive. Soft plastics have also been extremely productive.

If you have been out for fish lately and have a great pic, please send it to --e-mail address hidden-- with a short description and you could be featured in the next edition of Victoria Fishing Monthly.