“We had about 350 people show up the first time and pulled 360 fish out of the river,” Strathallan Family Landcare member Veronica Groat said.
“The next year we had a smaller number of people, still about 200 people, and we pulled the same number of fish out.”
The event will be held from 11am at the Rochester River Reserve, next to the bridge and opposite the old cheese factory.
All you need to do is turn up on the day, register, and then walk (or drive if you like) to find a spot along the Campaspe River to fish.
“The number of fish that have been taken out of the area is fantastic,” Veronica said.
“That part of the Campaspe River in Rochester has been a fantastic spot to hold the carp catch.”
The Rochester Branch of Bendigo Bank is providing financial backing, while the Rochester and District Angling Club will assist with operations.
“We are only a small Landcare group, and most of us are getting on a bit, and needed some help when the fish came in,” Veronica said.
“The anglers’ club have a special fish measuring device that they are going to let us use.”
Recent survey results from the North Central Catchment Management Authority have shown promising signs for native fish populations.
Environmental Flows project manager Darren White reported increased numbers of Murray cod across all reaches, higher golden perch numbers, and the first recorded sightings of silver perch and trout cod in certain areas.
“It is important to take carp out of the Campaspe because they are an introduced species, they are a bottom dweller down in the mud and that doesn’t help out native fish who are seriously affected by the mud,” Veronica said.
“And the carp are pretty aggressive.
“The native fish, if they get a bit of a go, they can fight back, and this is what we are hoping for.”
The group meets at the Rochester Hotel on the last Sunday of each month and new members are welcome.
For information, search Strathallan Family Landcare on Facebook.
