There’s water on the move at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, and for plenty of Yabby addicts that raises one very important question... could the yabbies be about to get moving too?
Rising Murray River levels are now pushing water through the Hattah system, with Chalka Creek noticeably on the rise.
There’s now enough water in the creek that Parks Victoria has closed Boolungal Crossing because it is no longer considered safe to cross.
For anyone who has spent a bit of time around the Mallee, fresh water moving into creeks, billabongs and wetlands at this time of year is always worth watching.
Could it be yabby time?
We’re not calling it just yet, but the ingredients are starting to come together.
The common yabby is remarkably well adapted to the boom-and-bust conditions of inland waterways. During dry periods they can survive underground in burrows before becoming active again when suitable conditions return.
Spring is also when things start getting interesting.
As the days get longer and water temperatures begin to climb, yabby activity can increase. Muddy bottoms, vegetation, submerged timber and newly inundated margins can all provide the sort of habitat yabbies like.
That's why Chalka Creek could be one to watch over the next few weeks.
Chalka Creek is rising
This isn't simply water left behind after some local rain.
Chalka Creek forms an important connection between the Murray River and the Hattah Lakes system. When Murray River conditions are suitable, water can move through the Messengers regulator into Chalka Creek and eventually spread through the wider wetland system.
Parks Victoria is currently reporting rising water levels through Chalka Creek and says the natural lake system is beginning to flow and fill.
The rise has already been enough to make Boolungal Crossing unsafe, with the crossing now closed.
So there's certainly water on the move.
The temperature is the question
The missing piece at the moment is water temperature.
We haven't been able to find a live public water-temperature gauge specifically for Chalka Creek, so we're not going to claim the yabbies are already on the move.
But we're now into late September. The days are getting longer, temperatures are beginning to climb and shallow sections of creek can warm surprisingly quickly during sunny weather.
Give that fresh water a bit of spring sunshine and conditions could become increasingly favourable.
So while we're certainly not declaring “the yabbies are on” just yet, it might be time to find the yabby nets, untangle the ropes and make sure everything is ready.
Access is changing
If you're thinking about heading out for a look, remember that conditions around Hattah can change quickly as water levels rise.
Boolungal Crossing is already closed, and other tracks can be affected by water, weather or environmental works. Check the latest Parks Victoria conditions before heading out and don't attempt to use a road, track or crossing that has been closed.
So… are the yabbies on?
We don't know yet.
But Chalka Creek is rising, fresh water is moving through the system and we're heading into the warmer part of spring.
That's enough to make us curious.
If you've already dropped a net into Chalka Creek recently, we'd love to know how you went.
Because if the water keeps rising and the spring sunshine does its job, it might not be too long before the first bucket photos start appearing.
🦞 Yabbying at Chalka Creek — the basics
Victorian recreational fishing rules apply when yabbying in Chalka Creek and the lakes and creeks within Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.
- Licence: You need a Victorian recreational fishing licence unless you're exempt.
- Bag limit: Up to 150 whole yabbies, with a maximum volume of 20 litres.
- Size: There is no minimum legal size for yabbies.
- Females carrying eggs or young: They must be returned to the water immediately.
- Nets: A combined maximum of 10 legal hoop nets and/or open-top lift nets can be used per licensed or exempt fisher.
- Labelling: Nets must be correctly labelled with the fisher's details.
- Opera-house nets: These are banned throughout Victoria.
Remember: Chalka Creek is in Victoria. Different licensing and fishing rules apply if you move onto the Murray River itself.
