Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on January 07, 2011, 11:13:23 PM
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Drought Recovery Fish Stocking in Victoria - Victoria Dept of Primary Industries
Over a decade of drought has meant many` rivers and lakes dried up and became unable to support fish. An increase in rainfall in 2010 has filled these waterways making them suitable to stock fish once again, bringing back recreational fisheries and boosting regional communities.
West Wimmera’s Lake Charlegrark has welcomed a return of 300 Murray cod after an 11 year absence. The Murray cod were stocked as yearlings weighing 150-200 grams each and measuring 15-20 cm. They are expected to reach breeding maturity within three to four years and the legal minimum length size of 60 cm within four to six years, depending on lake conditions.
We took the opportunity to stock Cairn Curran Reservoir with 5,000 brown trout when it reached a capacity greater than 80% in October 2010. Again, thanks to some local fishers for their help!
Source: Victoria Dept of Primary Industries
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I fished Lake Charlegrark for murray cod as a kid with my grandfather. Had some magic times there. One of the last places to catch murray cod in the 70s before restocking programs started. It was an 'endangered' species then...
Cairn Curran also used to be a great fishery. Unfortunately it now has populations of redfin and trout rather than native species. Can't understand Victorian fish stocking strategies...