Fish boost, water flows at Toolondo

Fish in Toolondo Reservoir south of Horsham are likely to respond strongly to a flush of fresh water and develop and grow throughout spring and summer.

That is the belief of Fisheries Victoria officers after State Government confirmation the lake would receive a transfer of about five gigalitres of water from Rocklands Reservoir.

Fisheries Victoria northern operations manager Murray Burns said he was confident extra water at Toolondo would provide resident target species such as brown and rainbow trout and redfin with a chance to develop and grow.

“The expectation is that there will be good fishing at Toolondo throughout spring and summer,” he said.

“The arrival of water will be significant in helping growth rates of fish.

“As the water covers new ground it provides fish with access to new food sources. That will be significant in helping growth rates.

“It will certainly help consolidate the fish population as we move into next year. Anglers can expect a broad range of sizes and weights corresponding to age classes of both rainbow and brown trout based on releases. We also expect the redfin fishery to develop and produce good fish.”

Victorian Water Minister Lisa Neville announced the water transfer, ‘to ensure reasonable levels into next year’.

She said the transfer would not affect farmers or other entitlement holders, adding that expectations were that the move would maintain a Toolondo water level above the fishery reference of 2.5 metres throughout 2018-19.

Ms Neville said this would sustain the fishery during summer and into next year.

“This is a great example of using our water resources to benefit communities – having a sustainable fishery means social and recreational benefits and a significant boost to the local economy,” she said.

The transfer was possible after Rocklands Reservoir reached a water-volume release trigger level.

Ms Neville said transferring the water was also part of usual water management, with Toolondo working alongside Rocklands to maximise water-storage efficiency.

Other State Government support for the fishery since 2014 has included stocking of 48,000 trout and $16,000 in funding for a Toolondo boat ramp.

Latest figures show Rocklands Reservoir, the largest of the Grampians headworks reservoirs is holding 131,860 megalitres, or 45 percent of its capacity.

Toolondo is holding 16,160 megalitres and is 32 percent full.

The 560,311-megalitre storage system is at 52.75 percent.

At the same time last year it was at 62.92.

New figures are due today.