Podcast - Cormorants and Australian Trout Fishing.

Trout anglers in the southeastern region of Australia may have recently observed a downturn in fishing quality, coupled with white bird droppings coating the rocks near their beloved streams. The return of cormorants has undoubtedly left its mark on the fishing scene in recent months. In order to dissect this situation and provide valuable insights, we sat with Philip Weigall. While these avian visitors may not be our favourite companions, their presence seems to be a lasting one. Fortunately, there are strategies you can employ to catch fish amidst the influx of these persistent birds.

[@NQR4real]

I live in Jamieson Victoria and the cormorants have been very busy here during late summer and early Autumn. No fish can be seen now.

[@chomper899]

I've had trout in the little dam on my farm for over 30 years and the cormorants come every year. The large Black Cormorant has a wingspan of 1.8m and they weigh up to 5kg! The literature says they consume "around 1lb per day" I've watched them eat a 1kg fish then sit on the bank for a rest only to go back and eat another 1kg fish 30 min later! Ann the acid in their stomach breaks down the fish in minutes! This year was the most I have seen for probably 10 years. I dive and film regularly in the rivers here in the Snowies and probably 20% of fish I filmed this year had cormorant damage on their sides

[@geoffhonky4439]

Watched them take 35 fish in 2 hours a while back. One trout was so big the cormorant battled to get it down for half an hour.

[@diggerrob6356]

Earlier this week I came out to see Cormorants on my dam. I went out to shoo them away and I reckon 50 took off an joined another 50 overhead. Since then there have been birds here every day. I’ve seen Yellowbelly that they couldn’t swallow on the bank of my dam that they pulled out and picked to bits. I’ve watched a single bird at lakes entrance dive and catch a fish every minute for 10 minutes, dry it’s wings and then go get more. Many times I’ve seen clouds of these ravenous things in approximately 100 number and 3 flocks the same. Natural birds in unnatural numbers. Anyone know where I can buy a used Anti Aircraft gun...Grin~

[@chrisobrien4659]

Same issue here in Newfoundland.They were not common a decade or so back but now they’re everywhere.Funny our sea run browns have declined or been decimated anywhere they have shown up.Pretty much rats,they just eat and crap no commercial or natural value.Even the eagles won’t eat them.

[@BillSaltbush]

Damn things have wiped out nearly every fish in the Liffey. Not a fish to be seen. Rocks all the way up the valley covered in white faeces.

[@Maverick-757]

I saw one take a 25cm trout and swallow it in a second or two, straight down the throat, easy as. On a similar note, the small river I'm fishing at the moment is alive with water rats and one or two comorants. I see seven or eight water rats each trip. I didn't like seeing the shags but I never worried about the rats, but a few weeks ago I saw an adult rat swim across the pool with a trout about 30cm. The trout looked freshly caught. Between birds, rats, summer temps and angler pressure no wonder 95% of the trout have disappeared since October last year.