Plenty of local anglers took advantage of last weekend's blue-riband conditions and hit the region's freshwater.

Anglers at Lake Burley Griffin did it tough but a few golden perch, small cod and solid redfin were landed.

Googong Dam yielded some decent cod plus goldens and reddies.

In both these lakes, a boat or kayak is almost essential. It allows you to get into deeper water and sound out fish, which tend to hang in tight schools in the cooler weather.

Land-based fishing for natives and redfin is great at Yerrabi Pond and Lake Tuggeranong. The best fishing is on dusk or after dark.

Further afield, the brown trout spawning run is in full swing, with large numbers of fish reported in the Eucumbene River, which is running a bit clearer than a few weeks ago.

Fish either early or late for these spawning browns - from about 6-8am, and then from about 4-6pm. Rug up because it'll be mighty cold but it will definitely be worth it.

The Providence Flats and the stretch of river above Denison Campground have been the most popular and productive.

If you're lucky enough to be on the south coast, rock and beach fishing remains sublime.

The water is ultra-clear so it pays to downsize your tackle if you can get away with it.

Thick line, huge sinkers and big baits aren't necessarily the way to get results in the cooler months. For example, when the going gets tough, I fish for salmon, tailor and trevally with much the same gear as I use to target bream and flathead in the estuaries.

Light gear also adds to the fun factor, with a 2kg salmon a challenge on such skinny tackle - especially from the stones!