by Toby Grundy •
For Canberra locals, early September is all about picking up the lighter sticks to target golden perch and large redfin. In Canberra, the Molonglo River, which feeds into Lake Burley Griffin represents one of the better places to catch a few native fish using a variety of techniques, all within close proximity to the city centre.
Facilities
The Molongolo River feeds into Lake Burley Griffin near Duntroon, which is about five minutes from the CBD. This means that there are excellent facilities available close by from tackle shops and cafes to restaurants.
I recommend launching at the boat ramp on Menindee Drive, as there is always plenty of parking nearby and it’s a short paddle/peddle to the river entrance. Also, if the ramp is crowded, you can always launch along the sandy bank right next to the ramp. There are also public toilets and BBQ facilities at Molonglo Reach, which is located near the ramp.
Pack plenty of food and a life jacket if you’re planning a big day on the river. You won’t need a beacon, as there is phone reception.
Species
There are large numbers of carp and redfin along with golden perch and Murray cod. The river was once known as a cod hotspot, but captures are few and far between these days. The golden perch population has flourished and there are some massive redfin in the system.
Techniques
Vibes, divers and plastics are the best lures to use when fishing the river.
If you’re fishing the overhanging trees that line the majority of the banks running from the boat ramp to Fyshwick, I use divers. Cast the diver into the snag and then give the handle a few quick cranks to get the lure diving at its correct depth then twitch your wrist down from time to time to add an erratic wriggle into the action of the lure. This drives the yellas crazy.
When using a plastic like the 80mm Squidgie Wriggler, cast parallel to the trees or sunken logs and let the lure sink to the bottom. Resist the temptation to twitch your lure or begin a retrieve until the lure has finished sinking. I have found that a lot of goldens sit just off the snag looking for schools of redfin, which regularly move up and down the river. These fish respond well to a subtle presentation like a sinking plastic and will hit it on the drop.
Vibes are good when fishing around the bridge pylons at Morshead Drive and the Monaro Highway. Loud rattles help get the reddies stirred up and once they are hitting the lures, natives will come for a look. A simple slow roll after the lure has sunk for a few seconds near any of the pylons should ensure a bite.
The Kayak
As with any river, parts of the Molonglo are wide and deep while other sections are tight and shallow. If fishing the area around Menindee Drive, I would recommend a paddle or peddle kayak that has some size, so that it’s easier to stand and cast at the snags. A larger, more stable yak makes it easier to cope with strong winds, which whip up quick and are common. However, if fishing the tighter areas, past Fyshwick, I recommend a smaller, more manoeuvrable yak.
The Sounder
Finding a redfin school is half the battle on the river, so having a good sounder is important. In late winter, cod chase the redfin around near the river mouth and once the goldens start to move in early spring, they target the schools of redfin, too. Trying to find reddies can be tricky without a sounder. Given how large the river is, it will often seem like looking for a needle in a haystack.
I use a Lowrance Series 7 Ti and can’t fault it. Having down and side scan means I have a thorough understanding of the structure below me. Once I find a school of fish, it also makes it easier to understand what the school are doing and if there are any predators sitting underneath looking for an easy meal.
Timing
Early spring is the best time for goldens, because there hasn’t been much kayak or rowing traffic through winter and the water warms up quickly, meaning the fish are willing to smash lures with abandon very early in the season.
Tackle
For yellas and reddies, I use a Daiwa Gen Black V2 1-3kg spin rod matched to a Daiwa Gen Black 2000 reel spooled with 8lb braid and 8lb leader. Usually I fish lighter when targeting golden perch; the snags are dense here, so heavier is best.
Conclusion
The Molonglo River flows right through Canberra and offers some great fishing from a kayak. It’s a remarkably clean waterway filled with wildlife and lots of fish. In fact, during my last visit, a platypus popped up right beside my yak 50m from one of the main highways in the ACT. Local anglers go to great lengths to keep the river clean, so if visiting, be sure to leave the place as you found it and enjoy some heart-stopping freshwater fishing action!
