Campaspe’s fish make a splash

“The Victorian Environmental Flows Monitoring and Assessment Program surveys have shown similar numbers of golden perch to what were caught in the past two years,” North Central CMA’s Darren White said.

“We have also seen Murray cod captured in all three reaches, ranging in size from 57mm to 802mm, including multiple young-of-year fish.

“That all points to a resilient fish population and a recovering river.”

Mr White said the vegetation took a big hit in the floods but was also improving.

“Vegetation coming back means water bugs are improving, which are really important this time of year for platypus and rakali.

“Platypus will be moving into breeding season soon, and they need to get as many calories onboard as they can.

“Floods can decimate populations of baby platypus, so a good breeding season this year will help rebuild their numbers.”

The coming winter/autumn low flow is another step in the river’s restoration.

Up to 200 Ml/day will flow down the river from the Eppalock dam until the end of November.

“This environmental flow is really important, especially this year,” Mr White said.

“It will be at the time of the year the river would have flowed naturally.

“Without these flows there’s a danger of the pools becoming disconnected, saline and deadly to fish.

“We also want to ensure the vegetation gets a chance to grow, and with it the water bugs which are great platypus and fish food.

“The river is doing pretty well as a result of a water for environment program that built resilience and allowed it to bounce back quickly after the floods.

“Now we need to keep it that way and help it cope with what’s ahead.”

The river rise will be minimal, but campers and anglers are advised to keep an eye on conditions.

Updates of water deliveries will be posted on the North Central CMA’s website at www.nccma.vic.gov.au