Stocks of Chinook salmon in Lake Bullen Merri will be continued and there will a return to large-scale releases of brown trout in Lake Purrumbete.

Fisheries Victoria acting executive director Mark Edwards said fisheries managers met with local anglers last month to examine the monitoring results of the stocking trial.

“The monitoring effort included a creel survey which had interviewed more than 1100 anglers, and two years’ worth of catch and effort statistics collected by members of the Lake Purrumbete and Camperdown Angling Clubs across both Lake Purrumbete and Bullen Merri,” Mr Edwards said. 

“In Lake Bullen Merri, stocked Chinook salmon had performed well, with high catch rates by anglers and some specimens reaching 3.4 kilograms. 

“In nearby Lake Purrumbete, Chinook salmon had also delivered high catch rates for anglers but had not grown as large as hoped.” 

He said catch rates had fallen during the stocking trial, although the average weight of two kilograms satisfied many anglers.

Feedback from anglers indicated a strong desire to maintain the Chinook salmon fishery at Lake Bullen Merri and for increased stocking of brown trout in Lake Purrumbete. 

“Consequently, fisheries managers will adjust stocking plans for the lakes this year to optimise what each can deliver for freshwater anglers,” he said.

“We will focus on further building the Chinook salmon fishery in Lake Bullen Merri, where they have done best. It will receive 20,000 Chinook salmon yearlings, 5000 rainbow trout and 5000 brown trout this year. 

“At Lake Purrumbete, brown trout stocking will be boosted to 20,000 yearlings along with 10,000 Chinook salmon and 5000 rainbow trout.”