THE
crater of Lake Bullen Merri was formed millions of years
ago with a violent explosion. Today it is home to some
fantastic salmonoid fishing with maybe a future bass
fishery in the making?
Lake Bullen Merri has a caravan park overlooking the
massive crater at the northern end, 2 great boat ramps
and bbq and picnic facilities. Bank fishing is accessible
almost the entire circumference of the lake and water
in excess of 20 meters can easily be cast to.
Northern
Boat Ramp
Southern
boat ramp has toilets
Click
on images for larger version
The
lake is stocked with Atlantic salmon, Australian bass
(to 1.5kg) and brown and rainbow trout. In its heyday,
salmon and trout of 6 and 8kg were caught here and
the taxidermists were busy!
There were then some serious fish kills due to excess
nutrients in the water. This saw the death of a magnificent
lake and fish to 9kg were found washed up on some
shores.
But today it has made an astounding comeback providing
anglers with fish in excess of 4kg as I write this.
With some sections of the lake exceeding 40 meters
deep, a downrigger is a handy addition to a fishermen's
arsenal.
Best baits are mudeye, live gudgeon, minnow, Berkley
Powerbait and large scrub worms.
Best lures are Lofty's Cobras, Tassie Devils and minnow-styled
diving lures such as merlins, Rapala and Tilsans.
Best flies include BMS (Bullen Merri Special), stick
caddis and smelt imitations.
Fishing after dark with live gudgeon under a float
is very popular here for the lake's monster brown
trout.
Gav Moloney with a good sized Atlantic
salmon taken on the troll.
