Bait & Lure Fishing Lake Wendouree
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Bait & Lure Fishing Lake Wendouree |
by Keith Ridsdale,
Life Member,
Ballarat Fish Protection Society& Anglers'
Club.
Interested in fishing? If you are new to Ballarat and have a few hours to spare you won't find a better place to fish than right in the heart of the city at Lake Wendouree. Although only approx 215ha and an average depth of 1.8metres this picturesque lake is one of the best trout angling venues in Victoria. The Ballarat Fish Acclimatisation Society established in 1870 have located their trout hatchery adjacent to Lake Wendouree and stock the lake each year with 6000 yearling brown trout. These fish are considered to be the best strain of wild bred brown trout in Australia and are placed in the lake free of charge. The lake is also stocked annually with 6000 yearling rainbow trout by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. A resident population of redfin are also fished for throughout the year. Tench and carp are two of the undesirable species also present in the lake and if caught should not be returned to the water. Trout from 500gms to 2kg are taken throughout the season while redfin to 1.8kg are not uncommon. At first sight fishing the lake may look to be a daunting task with its dense weed cover. Although boat angling is the best option, several relatively weed free areas are available to the bank angler. The best of these are from the shoreline at the rear of Mary's Mount Convent and St. Pat's Point. These are both on the south shore. Access to the fish from View Point on the south eastern shore is quite good whilst on the north shore Durham Point and the shoreline between Dowling and Haddon Sts. is well worth a look. One of the better fishing areas on the west shore is the docking area for the ferryboats opposite the botanical gardens. Pay particular attention to any drains running into the lake especially if fishing at night. An unweighted worm into these drain areas has been the downfall of many a big brown trout. One of the best methods to bait fish Lake Wendouree is to cast a couta or bug mudeye on a number 12 or 14 hook beneath a small piece of cork with bubble float or a quill float. Use a greased line of about 61b breaking strain. Hook the mudeye gently through the wings and present your bait at a depth of about 600mmto 1 metre depending on weed growth in the immediate area. |
Fishing with the wind behind you allows the bait to drift naturally out from the shoreline. Excellent night time fishing is to be had in the months of February, March and April when black field crickets are available. Fishing with crickets is similar to mudeye fishing with one exception. The line is greased right to the hook so that the cricket floats naturally on top of the water. Don't discard the idea of using other popular baits such as garden worms, gents and small yabbies suspended beneath a float. Fishing with a weighted line on the bottom is generally unproductive as the bait invariably disappears into the mud or weed. Small boats are permitted on Lake Wendouree although a speed limit of 8kph is applied. Three boat ramps are available and are situated at St Pats Point, Durham Point and the High School Boat Shed adjacent to Forest St. on the north shore. Bait fishing from a boat is a matter of finding a weed free area and if possible allowing the bait to drift along the many weed banks available to the angler. When fishing in the rowing course due consideration should be given to rowing craft and these areas must not be fished on rowing regatta days, etc. Lure fishing and trolling from a boat are other means of catching fish in the lake but the dreaded weed can make things difficult. Use only shallow running lures such as Wonder Wobblers, Celtas and Jensen Insects which are great for redfin just on dusk. Removal of the standard treble hook from the lure and replacement of a single hook can assist in the battle with the weed. Standard Victorian Recreational Fishing regulations apply at Lake Wendouree and anglers are advised to adhere to the rules set out in the current Fishing Guide produced by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment. These booklets are obtainable from the Departments office at 402 - 406 Mair St. Ballarat or at any of the sports and tackle stores listed below. Please discard your rubbish thoughtfully especially unwanted fishing line and keep our lake beautiful. |
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