Reel Life ∣ Floods: A breeding ground for carp

By Kevin Tyler

Jan 19, 2023

More where they came from: Dead carp in the Broken Creek at Nathalia on October 25 during the floods.

It’s been almost a couple of months since we were flooded and by now, most of the rubbish and debris from the flood has been cleared — but we will still face one more clean-up.

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Following the inundation, already the impact can be seen — and it will only get worse.

Reports of a massive increase in the numbers of European carp are coming to my notice.

Carp eggs that have sat dormant in the mud of swampy areas are starting to hatch, and schools of juvenile carp are starting to infest our waterways from swampy land along the Goulburn, as well as the Murray River and also the Darling.

Previously, Murray cod and other native fish have kept carp numbers under control by predating on the carp hatchlings.

The floodwaters have reactivated the dormant eggs buried in the mud.

Carp are a declared noxious fish and their impact on river habitat is catastrophic.

River plants and other inhabitants, including food for native fish, will be decimated by the carp.

Carp were introduced into our waterways about 50 to 60 years ago and since then have taken control.

However, in recent years the natives — such as cod and yellowbelly — have managed to fight back, and carp numbers have been reduced.

That is until the flood caused the dormant eggs to hatch.

The rule regarding carp is that they must not be returned alive back into the water. Use them for cray bait or bury them so they do not pollute the river bank.

The smell of rotting carp is highly offensive.

In recent times, we have not had to put up with the smell, so let’s do the right thing and, with luck and time, this will help with the problem.

I read the results of a recent survey carried out in the Darling River between Bourke and Louth, by the University of NSW, and its findings showed a complete lack of Murray cod in that area.

The findings pointed to a number of reasons for this dire result, including the overuse of water, drought, contamination, black water, over-fishing and more.

Researchers said there was doubt as to whether this situation could be reversed.

Around our region the number of people fishing has been down due to the extreme heat, but channels and the back waters in the Goulburn and Murray are worth a try, as are Eildon, Waranga Basin, Nillahcootie, as well as the Hume, Dartmouth and Mulwala.

Some yellowbelly have been caught in Kialla Lakes, Lake Victoria and Craigmuir Lake in Mooroopna.

I mentioned it last week, but the Broken River between Benalla and Shepparton is worth a try while the Broken Creek between Nathalia and the Murray is also worth a go.

Time to mention saltwater fishing, and Rod Lawn from Adamas Fishing Charters at Queenscliff said it had been going well down south.

Rod said he had been bagging out on snapper both inside the heads and also in the Bass Strait off Barwon Heads, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove and along the artificial dive sites and reefs.

In the bay, bigger snapper were being caught at St Leonards and off Mornington.

Rod said there were salmon in the rip on the runout tide and also signs of kingfish.

He was also bagging whiting and flathead, and plenty of couta.

North at Eden, John Liddell said cold water temperatures were putting a dampener on fishing off the shelf, but bottom bouncing the reef was a good option.

Graham Cowley at Narooma said it was the same with the inshore reefs.

He said there were plenty of flathead along the sandy bottom.

At Flinders Island, James Luddington said around Lady Barron there were big flathead and gummy shark, while off the shelf he was catching albacore tuna and trumpeter off the deep bottom.

Have a good weekend and stay safe.