Although last week's heavy rain has muddied most waterways, a handful of healthy golden perch and redfin have been caught locally by persistent fishers.

Slowly-worked lures in bright colours will work best in the turbid conditions. Baits such as worms and yabbies are also deadly on reddies and perch.

Some of the smaller ponds, including a few in the city's north, are fishing well and will only get better as conditions improve.

If you're simply after a fish that pulls a bit of string, try corn, bread or worm baits in Lake Burley Griffin for monster carp.

They're not everyone's cup of tea, but carp fight doggedly - better than any native freshwater species - and provide a genuine challenge on light gear.

And, hey, let's face it - catching anything under the current circumstances is a bonus!

It's heartening to see dusky flathead starting to move in the coastal estuaries.

It signals the beginning of the spring/summer estuary season, which produces dynamite fishing for a host of species.

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For the next four to six weeks, seriously large flathead - big breeding females over 90cm long - will cruise into the shallows in systems like Tuross, Mogareeka Inlet, Wagonga Inlet, St Georges Basin and Wonboyn Lake.

Large 'bent minnow' style subsurface lures are highly effective on these flats-dwelling 'crocs'.

They perfectly imitate a wounded mullet, whiting or garfish - the principle tucker for genuine big flathead. I personally can't wait to get down there.

The good news in the trout lakes is that water levels continue to rise at pace.

Eucumbene is 30.3 per cent, Jindabyne is 80.7 per cent and Tantangara is nudging 40 per cent capacity.