Kangaroo Lake is a Victorian stocked native fishery: Murray cod and golden perch have gone in here year after year, and redfin fill in the days between.
You fish it as one piece of open water. Nothing in the lake itself divides it into separate fisheries, so what splits it for you is the edge against the open water, and the time of year. The persistence chart shows how much of the basin has held water over time, which is the best guide to how steady that edge is.
The easiest trip is for redfin, from the bank or the jetty in the warmer months. The Victorian Fisheries Authority's fishing guide records a jetty upgrade at the lake. Redfin are well recorded here and they school, so once you find one you usually find several. No water-specific rule was found for the lake, which in practice means you take your licence and limits from the current Victorian guide before you leave home.
The second trip is golden perch, once the water warms. They have been stocked heavily and steadily, so there should be fish of several sizes about. A dark streamer fished slow and deep is how to meet them, and a boat lets you cover more water.
The third trip is Murray cod, at first and last light in summer and early autumn. They are stocked as regularly as the perch, and they are firmly recorded. Take an eight to ten weight and a big fly, and read the current Victorian guide on cod size and bag limits before the trip, not at the water.
Start with redfin on a warm evening, and have the heavy rod rigged in the car.
Water and habitat
Kangaroo Lake is a single open lake rather than a river or a chain of pools. The persistence chart shows how much of it has stayed wet from year to year.
In our read, fish in a lake like this sit on structure and on food. Anything that breaks up a plain bottom (a drop-off, a weed edge, fallen timber, the pilings under a jetty) gives cod and golden perch somewhere to ambush from, and gives redfin a reason to gather. If you cannot see structure, look for small fish scattering at the surface and fish there.
Fish and forage
Two stocked natives make this worth the drive. The stocking chart shows Murray cod and golden perch going in across most seasons over many years, and that steady supply is why both are worth planning a trip around. Murray cod are also firmly recorded in the occurrence records; golden perch less firmly, though the stocking gives good reason to expect them.
Redfin and European carp are both well recorded. Redfin are the fish most likely to keep you busy. Carp are there whether you want them or not, and a carp on a fly rod in shallow water is a fair consolation.
Silver perch, freshwater catfish, tench and goldfish appear in the records too, but only lightly. Do not plan around them.
The forage is small fish. Australian smelt, bony bream and flathead gudgeon are all firmly recorded, along with oriental weatherloach. That tells you what to tie on: a slim silver or olive baitfish pattern for redfin and perch, and something bigger and bulkier for cod.
When to fish it
Spring, October and November. In our experience this is when the water starts to warm and the natives begin to move. Redfin come on first; golden perch follow as the warm days string together.
Summer, December to February. Golden perch and cod in the warm water. Fish early and late and leave the middle of a hot day for travelling.
Autumn, March and April. A good bet for cod in the low light as the water starts to cool, and redfin can still be schooled up and feeding.
Winter. In our read the slowest time for these fish. Redfin can still be found deep, but it is not the season to drive a long way for.
How to fish it
Redfin. A six or seven weight with an intermediate line and a small streamer, size 6 to 10, in olive or brown and olive. Count it down, then strip it back in short, sharp jerks. When one takes, put the next cast in the same place: redfin travel together. A Woolly Bugger in olive is a good start.
Golden perch. Go to a seven or eight weight and a sinking line. Fish a dark streamer close to the bottom and bring it back very slowly with long pauses. Golden perch often take on the pause, so watch the line rather than feel for the fish.
Murray cod. An eight to ten weight, a short strong leader and a big bulky fly. Cast past the structure, let the fly sink, and bring it back past the cover with pauses. Fish tackle strong enough to turn a fish away from snags. See Murray cod in the timber for the method in more detail, and streamer fishing for the retrieves that suit all three.
Access and safety
The Victorian Fisheries Authority's fishing guide records a jetty upgrade at Kangaroo Lake. That is not a statement that every part of the shore is open to you. Check signs on the day and follow any direction from the land or water manager.
As on any open lake, watch the weather before you launch a small boat and stay close to shore when the wind gets up. Wear a lifejacket in the boat. Take care on jetty boards and on soft margins.
Regulations
No water-specific rule was found for Kangaroo Lake. Before you fish, check the current Victorian Recreational Fishing Guide from the Victorian Fisheries Authority for the licence, the bag and size limits for Murray cod, golden perch and redfin, and any closures that apply.
