Golden perch have been the most active, especially in Lake Burley Griffin, taking scrub worms and yabbies. Fish to 3.5kg have been caught at Yarralumla Bay, behind the National Museum, in the deep water at Black Mountain Peninsula and along Parkes Way, with the best fishing during the afternoon.

Redfin also have provided good sport, on lures as well as baits and some large specimens have been reported. One angler landed an especially large fish, 45cm in length and weighing just on 2kg, from Lake Burley Griffin, using a scrub worm bait.

Visiting Russian angler Igor is not surprised that redfin are still active in the cold weather. He said back home in Russia it is common for anglers to catch redfin under thick ice on the lakes in winter time.

He has taken regular hauls of fish in the 200-500gm range on lures in various parts of Lake Burley Griffin and Lake Ginninderra recently and is enjoying the sport and the tasty free fish for the table. He has fished mostly with small lures on threadline gear but is now grading up to baitcaster tackle in order to be able to use bigger lures and target the larger fish in deep water.

Murray cod and golden perch are still taking lures and baits in Burrinjuck Reservoir, especially in deeper water. Bait fishers have done well with golden perch on bobbed shrimps, yabbies and scrub worms amongst flooded trees and along deep rock faces and fish have been larger rather than smaller. Soft plastics also have worked well, especially the black Gulp Minnow in the 8cm size. Trollers have taken a few fish on Burrinjuck Specials, especially during the afternoon.

A few nice Murray cod also have been taken, mostly on lures. Some have fallen to spinnerbaits but the best of them have been taken on a sensational new wooden lure from Japan called Timberflash. The lure, made by Combat Lures, is quite large, measuring just on 18cm, and is jointed to give it a better action in the water. Several anglers have reported catching large cod on it recently when other lures were unproductive and it looks to be a winner for local fish. Take note however that it is not cheap. It retails for $65.00 so anglers will need to be wary of casting it into some of the trickier snags where the big cod commonly reside.

Rainbows have dominated catches in Jindabyne and Eucumbene in the past week. They have weighed up to about 2kg and have been taken from the shore, mostly on scrub worms and Power Bait, with a few on fly and lure. Best locations in Jindabyne have been Hatchery Bay, Creel Bay and Waste Point. In Eucumbene Seven Gates, White Rocks, Yens Bay and Old Adaminaby have been the most productive. The best fishing has been during the afternoon and at night.

A few browns also have been caught, mostly on scrub worms. Some are returning from spawning and are very hungry and a bit thin.

Fly anglers have caught a few fish, mostly on Woolly Buggers and small dark nymphs. Middlingbank and Rushy Plains Bay in Eucumbene have been the most productive.

Lure fishers have taken a few fish from the bank, using blades and small hard bodied minnows. Trollers have fared best with the same small minnows and Tasmanian Devils in blue and pink. The best fish came from near the dam wall in Eucumbene and around Lion Island in JIndabyne.

Bluefin are steadily moving up the coast, but they can be hard to find. Sydney angler Al McGlashan nailed a few 40-50kg fish south of Bermagui, but the fish were a long way offshore. To find the fish, look for working birds and fish busting up at the surface and troll consistently in 20 degree or warmer water. Remember that the fish move quickly through our region so if you want a hookup the time to go is now.