The amount of rainfall that the Bendigo region has received over spring has been well below the average rainfall, and this is going to be a major contributing factor on the productivity in the fishing within the region over the next few months.

During this period we will start to see a steady decrease in water levels in our impoundments, this will see the fish becoming more structure orientated and fish will start to move into deeper water as water levels decrease.

In the local river systems, water clarity is usually very good, but the productivity can be down during the middle of the day. The most productive times to fish are during periods of reduced light conditions with early in the morning or late afternoon being the best options.

We are seeing a good increase in the numbers of golden perch being caught, and the average size of the golden perch being caught has been between 40-45cm with the occasional larger fish also being landed.

Casting or trolling the rocky shorelines has been producing good results, and casting lipless crankbaits and suspending hardbody lures around standing timber has also been working well. One of the positive things about the lower water levels in Lake Eppalock is it means that there becomes a lot more laydown timber, which is in good, productive depths.

The numbers of redfin being caught has also increased lately, but unfortunately the majority of the redfin being caught are small. A few good redfin have been caught in deep water, and depths greater than 10m have been the most productive for the redfin. Trolling deep diving hardbodied lures or casting soft plastics has been the best options for the redfin.

With the opening of the Murray cod season, we will see a few more anglers targeting the resident Murray cod. Some of the earlier stocking of Murray cod in 2010 will now be fish measuring above 70cm, a great fish if you manage to land one.

The fishing in the Campaspe has improved lately, but the numbers of redfin being caught has been low.

Golden perch are making up the majority of anglers captures, and the majority of these have been caught by anglers casting a combination of hardbodied lures, lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Dark and natural colour choices have been working the best.

The fishing has been the best when reduced flows are being released out of Lake Eppalock. During those periods of higher flows the cold water is reducing the productivity in the fishing.

The redfin fishing has continued to be average for the majority of anglers. Locating a good school of redfin has been difficult, but the best concentrations of redfin are being caught in the middle reaches of the lake. Fishing in the deep water around the standing timber has been the best option for the redfin.

The numbers of golden perch being caught at this location has increased lately. Typically this location does not produce large numbers of golden perch, but the quality of the golden perch being caught is usually very good.

Casting or trolling the rocky shorelines has been producing small numbers of golden perch. Casting lipless crankbaits around timbers areas has also been producing some good results.

Water clarity is currently very good at most areas along the Loddon River. Golden perch are making up the majority of anglers captures, and the most productive fishing has been early in the morning or late afternoon.

Casting spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits have been the preferred options for most anglers.

If the trend of the last couple of seasons continues, the most popular areas of boatable water at Bridgewater and Serpentine will mainly produce golden perch and the occasional Murray cod.

The greatest concentrations of Murray cod again this season will be caught by land-based anglers who are walking the banks and fishing the areas of the river that receive the least amount of fishing pressure.