Campaspe River

Fishing Areas and Conditions

• Above [Lake Eppalock](/vic/lake-eppalock/, the river runs through rocky country, with pools closer to the lake. From Eppalock to Campaspe Weir at Elmore, it has sections of deep water over rubble and gravel.
• Below Campaspe Weir toward the Murray River, the channel is shallow and sandy with abundant snags.
• Golden perch and Murray cod become more common closer to Lake Eppalock. Deep pools and snags near English’s Bridge at Goornong are places to target cod.
• The spillway below Lake Eppalock has deep pools and is commonly fished for small redfin.
• Work lures close to submerged trees for golden perch, and around logs, submerged trees, deeper holes and rock ledges for cod.

Rigs, Bait and Lures

• Scrub worms, crickets, yabbies and mudeyes are bait options along the river. For trout, suspend mudeyes, live minnows or dough bait beneath a float, or fish scrub worms and yabbies on a running sinker rig with a small hook and pea-sized sinker.
• Cast small shallow-diving hardbody lures, spinners or soft plastics for redfin. Metal spoons cast farther but are prone to snagging.
• Slowly work vibes, blades, spinnerbaits or lipless crankbaits near submerged trees for golden perch. Dark curl-tail or paddle-tail plastics on 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig heads can be retrieved slowly or jigged along structure.
• For Murray cod, cast or troll hardbody lures, spinnerbaits, swimbaits and larger soft plastics around structure. Work large surface lures slowly alongside it.
• A 2–4 or 2–5 kg spin rod with a 2000 or 2500 reel, 6–10 lb braid and a matching fluorocarbon leader suits lighter lure fishing. Larger cod and golden perch lures call for a baitcasting outfit.

Access and Hazards

• Around Kyneton, about 3 kilometres of river passes through town and provides family fishing access.
• Below Lake Eppalock, park near the water tower and walk down the access road beside the spillway to reach the bank.
• River access is available around Axedale and at English’s Bridge near Goornong. Small tinnies and kayaks are also used on the river.