Eastern Riverina-Murray Report

Latest Report: July 2016

Written by:  Chris Cotterill

Murrumbidgee River:

For most of the month of June the Bidgee’ has been high and filthy due to the large amount of rain we have had and the environmental flows from Burrinjuck and Blowering. But all is not all doom and gloom the cray season has kicked off and some nice crays have been getting caught around the Wantabadgery area.

Those who are still catching fish are mainly bait fishing with baits of scrub worms and grubs in the back eddies and slack water. Fish will hold in relatively shallow water in these high dirty conditions.

Old Man Creek:

The Conditions are basically the same as the Bidgee’ with one exception there is no cray fishing permitted in Old Man Creek so don’t drop your pots in this creek.

Lake Albert:

The Lake is topped up and running over which is great to see. I had thought this dam was a waste of time until the weather warmed up in spring but the lake has had a second win with the Yellas and Cod coming back on the chew in the last week.

Anglers trolling and casting lures have been getting a few fish, enough to justify getting on the water on a cold winters day. Casting Berkley Black Grubs seems to be snagging the Goldens and Trolling 5/8-ounce spinnerbaits on bright greens are snaring the Cod.

Bait fishos using wood grubs and scrub worms in the afternoon are working well with a mix bag of Goldens and Cod if you put in the time.

Lake Dartmouth:

Plenty of Trout are being landed on flat lined Tassie’s and casting Berkley T Tails into heavy timber. If you can get your hands on some Mudeyes and put them under a bubble float you’ll be right in the game as they have been the dynamite approach in this dam.

Make sure you take lead core line or a down rigger as these fickle fish even in these arctic conditions still occasionally drop to the depths during the day.

Mannus Dam:

Full to the brim and providing some good fun with the fast growing Redfin population. One angler casting from the bank was getting amongst a good school and bagging 20 odd in a hour from the very small to a couple around 35cm. Plastics with a touch of red on them are doing the job as well.

Good luck and Fish On!