Freshwater

Over the past three weeks, I have penned six pages on recreational freshwater fishing in Queensland, as I know it. It’s come down to the demise of this section of Fisheries Queensland over the past six years. The loss of two doctors of fisheries biology and a further six biologists who were stationed throughout regional areas both east and west …

You may recall an article I wrote in regards to access on stock and water reserves, with fishing in mind. Well, that consultation paper was put out in 2019 and you were all given from April 8 to May 10, 2019 to make comment. I wrote about one council that actually took into account tourism and recreational needs, which included …

As readers of my column would know, I am more often than not a saltwater angler. However, at the start of the new year I felt the need for a new challenge, as well as a change of location from my usual estuary, bay, beach and flats fishing exploits. Recently, I reflected on a great bait-fishing session for bass I’d …

Back on October 14-16, the 2022 Queensland freshwater workshop took place in Mackay. A printout of the proceedings was released to the fish-stocking groups. This workshop is of interest to all freshwater anglers, not only fish-stocking groups. I feel that this 12-page report should be obtainable by anglers either by post or by Fisheries Queensland on its website, to get …

There are hundreds of barra lures on the market these days, most of which are advertised to be ‘must haves’ on the impoundment scene. What makes a good lure though and what should you be throwing to land that trophy Monduran barra? I’ll break these up into a few categories that I generally use on my charters. All of these …

Now that we’re heading into the warmest months of the year, big crowds of people have descended on Lake Monduran. As with most forms of fishing, any pressure on a system can make the fish tight-lipped and force them to move away from their chosen areas. It is a well-known fact that sound travels over four times faster in water …

Log cabins and synthetic trees are part of a successful trial of fish-attracting structures in Queensland, which could be the boon freshwater fishers have been angling for. Recreational fishing is meant to be about the journey. You’re out in the elements, convening with nature and practising the kind of mindfulness people often pay good money for. But let’s be honest, …

It’s been a bit of a downer for some anglers, and as I mentioned last month, it’s re-think time. Largest stocking rate Yellowbelly can be taken 2.5m below the surface with small hard-body lures set around 4m behind the boat trolling or just casting into the tight inlets where water flows down from recent rainfall. Largest stocking rate The gullies …

IT’S been a little while since I’ve had to give thought to actual water safety on our local headwater streams. Unlike rivers, most think of these as large wide expanses of water and the use of small petrol boat motors or electric battery powered systems. This is not the case for systems in the southern downs and upper northern Murray …

THERE is something a little weird about the anglers who chase big green fish in the freezer, but it’s an addictive time as the big fish come out to play. My first introduction to cold cod fishing was way, way back in about 1995. Let’s just say it was so long ago I can’t remember the exact year. We planned …