400 + tonne of dead fish

[seabug]

After 7 years of below average rainfall Lake Colac is now so salty that the European Carp are dying.

So far over 400 tonne of carp have either been removed ,buried or left to rot on the shore.

It is not known how many more carp are in the lake.

Lake colac used to be known for the terrific redfin fishing,but over the last 20+ years the carp have taken over and are the main species in the lake.

Recently we had some rain and about 100 tonne of carp tried to get upstream to the fresh water and were trapped and removed.

The muddy bottom of the lake and shallow water has made it hard to remove the rest of the fish and they are dying as the lake dries up.
Photos of fish were taken at Meredith Park(North shore of the lake)
Sealed boatramp and rowing area are at South(Town shore of lake)
The photos below were taken today.

Regards
seabug

[Little grey men]

Good to see the carp numbers vanishing, bad to see the lake in such a state though.
A question, how do people down that way view redfin?, I know they are an introduced species, but they seem to be held in higher esteem than most introduced fish. Do they cause much damage like the dreaded carp?
I've seen a few pic's of them and they are really beautiful fish.

[seabug]

Good to see the carp numbers vanishing, bad to see the lake in such a state though.
A question, how do people down that way view redfin?, I know they are an introduced species, but they seem to be held in higher esteem than most introduced fish. Do they cause much damage like the dreaded carp?
I've seen a few pic's of them and they are really beautiful fish.

I think that redfin are well accepted by the general angling comunity.
Some of the local lakes are known for the redfin fishing.

I am not sure if this carries over to our Govt.
It seems that in some fish managenent plans Trout are frowned upon,as they are not"Native"
I do not know if this includes Redfin.


Perhaps some other member could answer this better?

Regards
seabug

[Cammy]

salty? y was the water salty if it rained?

i used to love reddy fishing in canberra, it was the favorite past time.

Cammo

[seabug]

salty? y was the water salty if it rained?

i used to love reddy fishing in canberra, it was the favorite past time.

Cammo

I cannot answer your query on why it is salty.
You may find something about it here.
http://www.google.com/search?q=lake+...e=utf8&oe=utf8

Nearby Lake Corangamite is far saltier.

In 1956 it spilled over onto farmlands and led to headlines like"Creeping Lakes"
The water in it has now receded nearly a KM
Photo was taken yesterday approx.600-700m out on lake floor.
White in mid-distance is rocky barriers covered in salt.
Regards
seabug

[Vindicator]

Pity about the lake but think of all that charlie carp fertilizer you could make with them.

Cheers
Kezza

[moggy1]

Im guessing that a vast salt pan is there and when the fresh comes in the salt water is lifted up higher making it saltier. Could some one with knowledge on the subject inform us more correctly.