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18 AUGUST, 2026
Fishers want in By Jack O’Shea-Ayres Victoria’s peak recreational fishing body is calling for recreational fishing access at Merrimu Reservoir. The Southern Rural Water (SRW) managed reservoir sits on Pyrites Creek in Coimadai and is currently used as a water storage facility, supplying water to surrounding communities like Bacchus Marsh and Melton. As a closed catchment area, recreational activities like fishing are off-limits to the public. However, VRFish executive officer Anthony McGrath believes this needs to change. “Merrimu, with its natural scenic beauty, has long been on the list of reservoirs fishers have wanted to access,” he said. “Following recent upgrades to the water treatment plant, there’s no reason why we should continue to be locked out.” Mr McGrath said with popularity in recreational fishing growing rapidly around the state, creating access to available waterways was crucial. “The growing west of Melbourne needs more places to wet a line, and Merrimu Reservoir is perfectly placed for that,” he said. “It’s important that we continue to look at what’s currently available and what could be, as the biggest inhibitor to fishing is access to safe and suitable waterways. “Towns like Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Gisborne, and Sunbury are all a short distance away and have limited options nearby.” Local angling club Didyabringyarodalong president Terry Wells said anglers around the Bacchus Marsh and Melton areas were forced to travel long distances for fishing opportunities. He said opening the Merrimu Reservoir to the public provided the perfect opportunity to combat this. “People don’t want to have to travel distances for good fish. These resources are prime resources which could be better utilised. “As a club, we’ve had to reconsider where we can fish around the state and how much it is going to cost for our members doing it … but Merrimu reservoir is right on our doorstep.”
Jack (4), VRFish executive officer Anthony McGrath, and angler Terry Wells at the Merrimu Reservoir. (Damjan Janevski) 569914_05
Mr McGrath said visitor facilities at the local reservoir were being underutilised due to the lack of public access. “Multiple barbecues, modern public toilets, rotundas, car parking and a playground are the type of visitor facilities that other waterway managers dream of.” When Star Weekly asked whether public access was a possibility, an SRW spokesperson pointed to other waterways for fishing. “Merrimu Reservoir is an important part of essential drinking water supplies for the local area and controlled public access is an important measure to protect water quality and safety,” the spokesperson said. “Recreational fishing is supported for the local community nearby at Pykes Creek and Melton reservoirs.” However Mr Wells said limitations at
both Pykes Creek and Melton reservoirs held local fishers back. “Merrimu Reservoir is far more accessible …people can get to the water’s edge a lot easier than you can at Melton Reservoir or the weir,” he said. “And a lot of people tend to feel they need to travel beyond Pykes Creek for good fish. It’s just not a great fishery. ” He also pointed out that Pykes Creek was used as a water supply for Myrniong “The issue with closing off Merrimu because of the drinking water doesn’t really hold because Pykes supplies drinking water as well,” he said. Star Weekly understands no recreational activities are permitted on or close to the reservoir’s water as part of a Safe Drinking Water Management Plan developed by SRW.
Mr McGrath said VRFish is seeking a commitment to open up the reservoir for public access as part of the organisation’s 2026 state election priorities. “Many fishing clubs have made approaches to Southern Rural Water over the years, but all have been denied,” he said. “That’s why we’re seeking support for the initiative as one of our 2026 state election priorities.” A state government spokesperson said limiting public access to the waterway benefited the local community. “Merrimu Reservoir is an important source of drinking water for the local community, and limiting public access helps protect water quality and maintain the safety of the drinking water supply for the community,” the spokesperson said.
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