Local fish have gone quiet, with hardly a scale registered this week except for some redfin in Googong and a 110cm Murray cod from Burrinjuck's upper reaches.

Anglers who bait-fished in Lake Tuggeranong and Burley Griffin returned empty handed and said even the carp were non-responsive. Even secret spot No46 in Lake Gungahlin, highly productive in recent weeks, failed to yield a solitary fish.

Burrinjuck provided a ray of hope, with a few golden perch at Woolgarlo and the 110cm cod taken by Mick on a spinnerbait.

Rare joy in high country

The mountain lakes are cold and fishing has dropped away a bit, probably because the browns are still spawning or dropping back from spawning whilst the rainbows are schooling up to head to their spawning grounds.

Nevertheless, some fish have been landed.

Eucumbene regular Jussi reported taking four fish on Power Bait at Seven Gates and others came from Old Adaminaby on bardi grubs.

Fly anglers report the best fishing has been during the day, mostly around 3pm when the few insects around are at their most active. One angler, Bob, endured a fruitless night fishing near Lake Jindabyne. He said the noise from a nearby disco was deafening and didn't stop until 4.30am.

Sizeable morwongs

At the coast there have been a few nice morwong taken in 30m to 50m of water together with a few tiger flathead.

On one good day a group of anglers fished the Twelve Mile reef at Bermagui and landed jackass, morwong and tiger flathead.

Bring out your carp

Local ecologist John Brummel needs unwanted goldfish and carp. John is testing the potential of aquaponics the science of growing crops such as vegetables with fish so that one helps feed the other. John would like to hear from anyone who can help and can be contacted on 62831131 after hours. Alan, from Melba, on the other hand, is offering assistance. Alan has a small 3m fibreglass boat which he no longer needs and is looking for a youngster who can make use of it. The boat has a teak floor, oars and rowlocks and is on a hand trailer and is free. Alan can be contacted on 62582310.

Tip of the week

Yellowfin bream are schooling around lake and river mouths at the moment and can be brought up using a berley trail. Try them then on prawns, striped tuna and mullet gut.

Dr Bryan Pratt is a Canberra-based ecologist