Lake Tyers opens for the first time in nine years

For the first time in nine years, Lake Tyers which is part of the Gippsland Lakes system, naturally opened its entrance to the sea last week. The opening has occurred as a result of heavy rainfalls, which have led to severe flooding throughout the Gippsland region during the past week.

The last natural opening of Lake Tyers occurred in June 1998, with the estuary closing again by January 1999. The entrance was artificially opened in 2002 when rising waters threatened nearby infrastructure and property, but then closed naturally again in January 2003.

The opening of the lake is a very important process that maintains the ecological health of the system. The system gets a good flush out, reducing organic loads and enabling adult fish to move in and out of the lake to possibly spawn if conditions are suitable. New juvenile fish and larvae will hopefully move in to the lake seeking refuge in sheltered waters to feed and grow.

Boat speed restriction lifted at Lake Hume

Goulburn-Murray Water, the water managers of Lake Hume, have recently lifted the four-knot speed restriction that was introduced to the Lake in November 2006 as a result of low water levels.

In line with the conditions of the Marine Act 1988 and the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules for Victoria Waters, Goulburn-Murray Water were required to carry out the restriction when the water levels of the Lake fell below 10 per cent. Low water levels cause a risk for boaters as hazards, such as submerged tree stumps, pose a threat to their safety.

Families brave the cold for some family fishing fun at Bendigo

Despite a frosty start and cool temperatures throughout the day, over two hundred children and their families participated in a very enjoyable fishing event at Kennington Reservoir (Bendigo) on Sunday, 24 June.

There was a great start to the day, when one young female participant hooked on to a large “premier” rainbow trout that weighed in excess of 1 kilogram. This lifted the enthusiasm and spirits for onlookers who were seen replacing their handful of egg and bacon sandwich with their rod and reel in hope of catching one of their own.

The large “premier trout” was one of the 270 rainbow trout that were stocked into the reservoir prior to the event as part of the State Government’s Family Fishing Lakes stocking program.

The feedback from participants was well received; sixty five per cent of the families who attended said that they now plan to go fishing in Victorian waters regularly as a result of the skills they acquired on the day.

Unfortunately due to heavy rain last week, the Lillydale Lake event that was to be held Saturday 30 June was cancelled.

Future Family Fishing Events will be held during September and October 2007 at Lillydale Lake, Eildon Pondage and Kennington Reservoir. Event dates and timetables of activities will be posted on the website, www.dpi.vic.gov.au/gofishing later in the year.

Stocking update

The following waters were stocked by Fisheries Victoria during the month of June, 2007.