Colac offers a lot of good inland fishing choices, with some very popular rivers, lakes plentiful with fish. But with the current drought conditions sweeping the South East corner of Australia many of the great fishing locations have dried up or a very low on water making some of the usually popular fishing spots dry.
Lake Colac which was a fantastic place for redfin, eel, tench and the like completely dried up in January 2009. The lake usually has about 2 ½ metres or more water in it, and has a shoreline of about 33 kilometre. This is the first time the lake has ever been reported dry, and has since returned to a more respectable water level by July 2009. The only one good thing to come out of the dryness is the eradication of European Carp which have taken over so many of our waters. Hopefully when full with water, Colac won’t need to run their annual Catch a Carp day each October.
Lake Purrumbete has in the past been another very popular fishing location but the drought has changed all that. Good size salmon, trout and even redfin are popular catches at Purrumbete.
Once the rains come again, the lakes will soon fill and fish will be restocked, we can only hope that it is soon as much of our region is in good need of rain.
To the North East of Colac around Winchelsea is Lake Murdeduke. This lake can be a great place for Rainbow Trout or Qinnant Salmon and can generally be picked up with a lure, mudeye or whitebait.
Near Camperdown to the South West of Colac is Lake Bullen Merri, this large lake offers a similar catch to Lake Murdeduke, there is also good fishing for brown trout and Atlantic and Chinook salmon. Some of the salmon grow over 3 kilograms and put up a great fight.
Many of the river systems around the forests and into the Otways offer good fishing also, but like with all fishing in our area, read the regulations and learn what and where you can catch fish. Check to see if you need a fishing license and remember that boats and water can be dangerous- and it doesn’t take much to get into trouble and drown. Extra care and planning should be taken even with the simplest form of fishing to ensure safety at all times.
