More than Murray cod season opening to celebrate

[Member]

More than Murray cod season opening to celebrate

The Murray cod season was opened by Mr Peter Walsh, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and Member for Rodney, Paul Weller on 1 December at Kow Swamp whilst eagerly casting a line.

Anglers fishing for Murray cod in forthcoming seasons can look forward to improved access and more native fish stocking thanks to a $1.35 million boost.

The new three-year Building Northern Native Fisheries project has been predominantly funded with $779,500 from the sale of recreational fishing licences and an additional $260,000 from the Governent’s $16.2 million Recreational Fishing Initiative. Additional investment will be sourced from shires and land and water management agencies.

The project will focus on sections of the Campaspe and Loddon rivers, Gunbower Creek and Kow Swamp. Seven new boat launching ramps are planned with two each on Elmore Weir, Gunbower Creek and the Loddon River and one at Kow Swamp.

In addition, two existing boat ramps are likely to be upgraded on Gunbower Creek (National Weir Road) and Kow Swamp (Box Bridge).

Better access for shore based anglers is also planned for the Barnidown Pool and Axe Creek junction on the Campaspe, and a fishing platform has been proposed at Kow Swamp (Box Creek).

With better access for anglers, Fisheries Victoria will boost existing fish populations in these waters by releasing more than a million additional Murray cod and golden perch fingerlings over three years.

The million native fish will comprise 360,000 golden perch and 645,000 Murray cod. Kow Swamp will receive the lion’s share of the Murray cod with 100,000 fingerlings for each of three years.

Improved sites at all four waters will be promoted to increase angler visitation and the associated regional economic benefits will be measured.

Anglers chasing Murray cod this season are reminded there is a minimum legal length of 60 cm and a maximum length of 100 cm. The daily bag limit is two Murray cod per person.

For more information refer to the Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide which is available free from most good fishing tackle shops, DPI Offices or by ringing 136 186.

Angler access projects proposed for Campaspe, Loddon and Gunbower systems.

Boat access:

Campaspe River
Elmore Weir Install boat ramp, signage and car park at Burnewang St $30,000
Speers Road Boat ramp, signage and car park $40,000
Gunbower Creek
Spencers Bridge Boat access, signage and car park downstream of bridge $30,000
Koondrook Track Boat access and signage $30,000
National Weir road Upgrade boat ramp $30,000
Kow Swamp
Box Bridge Upgrade boat ramp, signage and car park $50,000
Apex Park Install ramp, buoyed navigation channel and possible platform $200,000
Loddon River
Serpertine Weir Boat ramp, signage and car park $50,000
Fernihurst Boat ramp, signage and car park $50,000

Land Access:

Campaspe River 
Bardidown pool Improve access (subject to tenure) $20,000
Axe Creek junction Improve access (subject to tenure) $20,000
Kow Swamp
Box Creek Install fishing platform $50,000


Image: Peter Walsh, Paul Weller and Anthony Hurst at Kow Swamp
Image source : Victoria DPI
Info Source: Victoria DPI