fbpx

True Tales of the Trout Cod:
Mitta Mitta River Catchment History

There was heaps of cod between Mitta and Dartmouth, up to the 6 mile Creek near the Dart River Junction. There was heaps of them 50 to 60 years ago, even up to 40 years ago. They were common from 10 to 30 pounds.

– John Yea, 2006.

Tambo Valley

Omeo Standard, 2 December 1902

“In the early days the rivers and creeks around Omeo were stocked with bream, cod and perch; the streams were so clear and limpid that the fish could be seen in hundreds, disporting themselves in the many huge waterholes, most of which have ceased to exist. Even in the Livingstone Creek, when it was a pretty green-banked stream, is a waterhole which existed just in front of the township, it is recorded that a 13lb cod was once caught, besides numbers of smaller weight.But the advent of the miner changed all this; the streams were rendered turgid and muddy with hundreds of sluice boxes and cradles that were winning the gold from the wash, and the fish were naturally choked in their abundance by the muddy waters in which they had to live. From that time the fish have been decreasing until there are only a few left in the Mitta, the Morass and the upper waters of the Victoria, Cobungra and Wentworth rivers.”

Download the booklet

Learn more about the history of the Mitta Mitta River with the beautiful PDF booklet filled with stories, maps and fabulous old photos. You can get a copy the full booklet here for a donation of $5.